Property Remains Part of Hilton Worldwide and will Join Curio – A Collection by Hilton
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, February 16, 2016 … Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has been selected to operate the historic and iconic Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, located in Roanoke, Virginia. The hotel’s long-time general manager, Gary Walton, will continue to lead the property’s team of hospitality professionals. Additionally, the property will join Curio – A Collection by Hilton by month-end, a global set of remarkable upscale and luxury hotels handpicked for their unique character and personality. The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center is now a part of the Benchmark Resorts & Hotels brand portfolio.
“Our team is honored and excited for the opportunity to enhance and build upon the tremendous success that The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center has enjoyed throughout the past 20 years,” said Alex Cabañas, chief executive officer of Benchmark Hospitality International. “Joining Benchmark Resorts & Hotels, and becoming a part of Curio – A Collection by Hilton, brings additional resources and opportunities to better serve our guests here in southwest Virginia, and leverage Benchmark’s partnership with Hotel Roanoke’s sister property, The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center, as well as the Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech.”
A landmark and legend in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, The Hotel Roanoke was originally built in 1882 by the Norfolk and Western Railway to accommodate affluent travelers vacationing amid the scenic wonders of the Shenandoah Valley. Over the years the hotel has hosted Presidents, governors, theater and sports stars, attendees for political conventions, and Miss Virginia competitors. Restored in 1995 to its turn-of-the-last-century splendor and Southern charm, The Hotel Roanoke is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and is a member of Historic Hotels of America.
Today, its impressive Tudor-style façade and the adjoining conference center rise in the heart of the city of Roanoke. The exceptional location in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains attracts both business and leisure travelers. Just minutes from the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, the area is easily reached via Interstate 81 and the Scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.
The adjacent conference center, built in 1995, is a member of the prestigious International Association of Conference Centres and meets the organization’s stringent membership requirements. The hotel is now owned by the Virginia Tech Real Estate Foundation and the conference center by the City of Roanoke. Benchmark Hospitality brings a global reputation as a leader in the operation of conference centers to the hotel, including the successful long-term management of The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center on the university’s campus.
The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center provides 63,000 square feet of meeting and event space, spanning 35 meeting rooms, a fixed-seat lecture hall, two boardrooms, conference center lounge and two elegant grand ballrooms accommodating up to 1,400 guests. The property’s Business Center offers full conference support, including personal computer stations and administrative services.
The Hotel Roanoke offers 330 deluxe guestrooms, all non-smoking. There are 19 suites, including the luxurious Governor's suite, a penthouse with a private elevator, dining room and terrace with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which is perfect for corporate entertaining. The private Executive Floor includes a number of exclusive services for guests, such as a dedicated concierge, complimentary continental breakfast and evening cocktails in the newly renovated Executive Lounge.
Comprehensive upgrades and renovations on all guestrooms and meeting spaces are currently underway and being implemented to ensure there are no disruptions for guests. Taking care to respect The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center's historic significance, renovations will reestablish the iconic structure as a world-class leader in hospitality. Work is expected to be finished by July 2016.
Among the many guestroom amenities are complimentary WiFi and hard-wired, high-speed Internet connections, in-room safes and new RFID “Straight to Room” door locks as part of a recent guestroom makeover. Business travelers appreciate the work stations, ergonomic desk chair and complimentary printing from the guestrooms to the front desk. All guestrooms feature flat screen HD TVs and in-room entertainment that includes music, movies, radio and Internet. The hotel also has a select inventory of PURE Allergy Friendly Guestrooms. These rooms have undergone a comprehensive process to dramatically improve the air quality and eliminate irritants. Guests will rest easy thanks to Hotel Roanoke’s unique sleep experience with customized mattresses and luxury linens. In-room spa services, including massages, treatments and hair styling are available.
A Roanoke institution since 1939, the award-winning Regency Room has set the scene for the city’s most memorable dining events. Now under the direction of Executive Chef Stephen DeMarco, the imaginative menu combines French flair and with a touch of the Old South. Its Sunday Grand Brunch Buffet is a Roanoke favorite. Guests can also enjoy a casual evening in the historic Pine Room Pub, a convivial spot that served as an Officers Club during World War II.
In the hotel and beyond, recreational and teambuilding opportunities abound. Guests can work out in the fully-equipped fitness room and the outdoor pool. Roanoke features 30 miles of greenway trails, 67 city parks and easy access to Appalachian Trail and to Smith Mountain Lake with its 500-mile shoreline.
Roanoke is the cultural capital of Southwestern Virginia and guests enjoy its many attractions. A pedestrian bridge links the hotel and conference center to Roanoke’s historic downtown Roanoke, where charming shops, restaurants, museums and the nation’s oldest farmers market are located.
For high resolution photography of The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, please visit: http://www.benchmarkhospitality.com/press_media/high_res_gallery/image_library/index.cfm?galleryid=GAL_160215_12041242_VL1I5
