CHARLOTTE, NC – April 1, 2021 – UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center will open its doors to guests beginning March 31, 2021. The $87 million, 173,000-square-foot project, is owned by the UNC Charlotte Endowment Fund, financed by the UNC Charlotte Foundation and operated by Sage Hotel Management, a Sage Hospitality Group company. Developed by AMS Hospitality, the hotel features 226 guest rooms and 21,563 square feet of event space.
“This conference center and hotel is a 30-year dream realized for UNC Charlotte and another example of the University’s growth and commitment to playing a significant role in the region’s economy,” says Niles Sorensen, president of the UNC Charlotte Foundation. “The location right at the entrance of our beautiful campus and a short light rail ride from uptown Charlotte is perfect for alumni, families, business travelers, groups & conventions, and visitors who desire the superior accommodations, service and amenities only Marriott can provide.”
Accommodations at UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center will offer the elevated experience that Marriott Hotels, the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio’s signature brand, is known for with spaces where guests can foster their inventive nature and get into their best headspace for success. Room features include locally designed and curated artwork, spa-like bathrooms with walk-in showers, upgraded technology, complimentary wi-fi and designated workspaces. Guest room options also include five suites, including the Chancellor Suite with sweeping views of the UNC Charlotte campus.
Outside of the rooms, local artwork will continue throughout the hotel with original pieces created by students, faculty and alumni of UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture as well as accomplished community artists.
Off the lobby, Golden Owl Tavern will serve guests and visitors classics and fresh twists on cuisine from the American South, including a buttermilk po’boy with Carolina comeback sauce, double-smashed patty burgers, wood-fired pizzas, Nashville Hot Chicken deviled eggs and smoked duck wings in a sorghum apple glaze. The 7,000-square-foot restaurant features a lounge, private dining room and an outdoor patio.
The M Club Lounge, an exclusive area reserved for Elite and Club paying members, will offer perks such as complimentary food and beverage throughout the day as well as the brand’s signature Mind Menu, a collection of delicious snacks and beverage with active ingredients that will enhance mind and body. Accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the M Club Lounge also will provide free wi-fi, printing and power supplies to ensure uninterrupted productivity for business travelers.
Amenities will include a fitness center with a Peloton® bike, Life Fitness equipment and a Fitness on Demand™ SOLO single station as well as an outdoor pool with landscaped deck.
For events such as professional conferences, weddings and other special celebrations, UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center will showcase 9 event spaces with a 7,200-square-foot Crown Room that can hold as many as 800 people (when at 100 percent capacity) for a stand-up reception. A beautiful 5,800-square-foot outdoor plaza, set against views of the UNC Charlotte campus, will provide outdoor event options.
The hotel will be operated by Sage Hotel Management, a Sage Hospitality Group company. The Denver-based management company operates more than 50 hotels across the U.S. UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center will join the company’s Premier collection of hotels, which currently represents a growing portfolio of 27 branded luxury, lifestyle and upper-upscale full service properties, including The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, Perry Lane Hotel, Savannah and The Logan, Philadelphia.
“We are delighted to welcome this stunning property into our Premier Collection of award-winning, branded, full-service properties,” said Daniel del Olmo, president and COO of Sage Hotel Management, a Sage Hospitality company. “We are very grateful for our partnership with both UNC Charlotte and Stormont Hospitality and can’t wait to welcome our first guests as the economy recovers and life returns to a new normal.”
Operations are led by General Manager Mike Nelson. With more than 30 years of hospitality experience, Nelson will lead a team of approximately 120 employees (when fully staffed) as they navigate not only opening a new hotel, but opening during a pandemic.
“We are proud to be part of vibrant and long-standing communities. Our relationship with UNC Charlotte, the University City area and Charlotte communities is a major foundation for which the Hotel and Golden Owl Tavern have been developed. Many great organizations came together to give us the opportunity to open this dynamic and inventive hotel and restaurant and we look forward to being a cornerstone to help these areas grow in the future. We are excited to welcome our first guests and to be able to showcase the inspiration behind the design of the Hotel and the Marriott brand, as well as Golden Owl Tavern,” says Nelson.
Joining Nelson is John Panko as the Director of Sales & Marketing. With 29 years of experience, Panko will work with the team to create awareness and drive overall sales for the hotel and its event spaces.
Situated on approximately four-acres near the PORTAL Building, UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center is located at 9041 Robert D Snyder Road, Charlotte, NC 28262 and offers direct access to the LYNX Blue Line. For more information, call 704-978-8000 or visit Marriott.com.
