TownePlace Suites by Marriott, a hotel offering a unique away-from-home experience, is the newest addition to Gateway Commons. The hotel opened its doors last weekend, and officials say business is already doing well.
“We’ve had quite a few guests who’ve travelled here for Holiday World,” said Director of Sales and Marketing Sarah Keown. “It’s beneficial that we’re only 31 minutes from the park.”
Located at 3365 Hayden Road, TownePlace Suites benefits from sitting 100 yards away from the brand new Malco Cinema Grill, while a five-minute drive can take guests downtown. The 102-room, four-story hotel marks the city’s 17th hotel in operation.
Owensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Mark Calitri is excited about what the new hotel means for the community.
“They indicated that they’re looking at different businesses outside of Owensboro to bring in, and that’s great,” he said.
Keown said TownePlace Suites is unique because of the home-like atmosphere they strive to maintain.
Every room is a suite, and each suite features a personal kitchenette, Keown said, which gives
guests the option to stay in and cook for themselves if they’d rather not go out. Even more, TownePlace Suites offers a “Something Borrowed” program that includes fans, umbrellas, board games and grilling equipment that guests can use during their stay.
“We have a Webber Grill built into our patio. A community group stayed here last weekend, and they came to show us how well their porterhouses turned out,” Keown said. “Guests can also borrow spices to grill and cook with if they’d like.”
Guests can either stay in a single suite or one of the hotel’s six two-room suites, said General Manager Kurt Baker.
“So far, so good,” Baker said of the hotel’s first week of service. “Currently, our reviews are number one out of the 399 TownePlace Suites across the country. As general manager, we try to invite guests to come back into our home.”
TownePlace Suites also abides by a unique concept that supports local businesses and restaurants instead of chains. Front-desk associates are being trained to know the ins and outs of Owensboro’s local market, Baker said.
“The concept is different than most hotels,” Baker said. “We will be a part of the community, a part of the town. We only feature local here.”
Even before opening, the entire staff of TownePlace Suites participated in the local Women’s Build — an annual program where women across the community volunteer to help build homes for the less fortunate through Habitat for Humanity.
A daily complimentary breakfast, free WiFi, high-end fitness center and an outdoor saltwater pool are some of the additional amenities Keown and Baker are proud of.
“This is a first-class property that offers something different for visitors when it comes to long-term stays,” Calitri said.
