244 replies to this topic

[krazeeboi]

Exactly. I was in Columbia this past Sunday and rolled past the lot where the hotel is to be built. It's CRYING OUT for development...LOL.

[waccamatt]

I agree. It should be modern like the convention center. I haven't liked any of the designs I've seen so far. It isn't like it's surrounded by historic brick buildings.

[HAMMETTM]

waccamatt, on May 5 2005, 08:08 PM, said:

I agree. It should be modern like the convention center. I haven't liked any of the designs I've seen so far. It isn't like it's surrounded by historic brick buildings.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I really hope the design won't be brick like everything else in the vista. DT Columbia needs some variety.

[Charleston native]

The convention hotel would really be a great asset to the Vista area. I wonder why good development takes so long to get started in cities all over this state?

What I am wondering about, though, is how building the Hilton would affect the current Hampton Inn and Suites on Gervais. The hotels would be competing against each other, yet Hampton Inns are affiliated under the Hilton organization of hotels. Is it good business to have 2 hotels you own compete against each other?

[krazeeboi]

I didn't know that Hampton and Hilton were part of the same chain. But as of now, I still think that the Marriott (formerly Adams Mark) is being utilized as the "main" hotel in Columbia. I know of three church related conventions coming to the convention center this summer; two are using the Marriott as their headquarters hotel, one is using the Marriott as a secondary hotel. I would imagine that perhaps the Hampton Inn would actually get a little more business as an overflow hotel once the Hilton is built. People are still getting used to the convention center, so as of now I don't know whether groups are actually utilizing the Hampton. But once the Hilton gets built and is booked for a convention center event, people will definitely begin looking at the Hampton.

Edited by krazeeboi, 06 May 2005 - 10:41 AM.

[The_sandlapper]

Wasn't there a recent graphic on this site that showed what the Hilton would look like? From what I recall it looks pretty hum-drum. It has that red brick Vista look to it and it doesn't really look like a quality hotel just an average looking building, but that's just my opinion? Does anyone have any renderings?

[krazeeboi]

Check out post #2 in this thread.

[vicupstate]

Convention Center Hotel delayed, may be canceled

The dire prediction may not come true, but it really is sad that has even gotten to this point.  RFPs should have gone out as soon as the Convention Center construction was permitted.  If that had been done, the hotel would already be completed instead of not even started.

[Spartan]

I'm still not sure the hotel is necessary. Columbia has alot of hotels.

The article also said that this is not for certain. Its just a possibility. I think they will pull it off though.

[vicupstate]

Spartan, on Jun 17 2005, 11:53 AM, said:

I'm still not sure the hotel is necessary. Columbia has alot of hotels.

The article also said that this is not for certain. Its just a possibility. I think they will pull it off though.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Convention centers have mushroomed up all over the country, while the demand for space has been slack.  9/11 and overbuilding have hurt the convention/trade industry quite a bit.  Not having a hotel is already costing the center business and puts it at a disadvantage.  

Jacksonville's Convention Center is a huge disappointment and the lack of a hotel is the chief reason cited.  Even thought the downtown area has several major hotels.

[Spartan]

If the Hampton Inn & Suites wasn't the same distance away as this proposed Hilton I would agree with you.

[krazeeboi]

The hotel will eventually get built, especially if the city wishes to be competitive in luring certain types of conventions.

[Spartan]

I hope nobody misunderstands what I am saying. I would like to see this hotel built, if it is done right. I am just questioning the practicality of it.

[waccamatt]

I think the hotel is needed. I try to place clients visiting from out of town in the Hampton Inn on Gervais, but it is already booked more often than not. The Hilton is only proposed to have 225 rooms, that is not a very large hotel to begin with. If the convention center doesn't have its own hotel it will never be as successful as possible. Remember the Colonial Center is only 2 blocks from the hotel site and it hosts many events throughout the year too.

[Spartan]

waccamatt, on Jun 17 2005, 11:10 PM, said:

Remember the Colonial Center is only 2 blocks from the hotel site and it hosts many events throughout the year too.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

True, but so is the Holiday Inn  

Do you ever try the Adam's Mark/Marriott (whatever it is)

[krazeeboi]

To be honest, I don't think that either the Holiday Inn right across from the Coliseum or the Marriott (former Adam's Mark) are easily walkable, although within walking distance. But a relatively upscale hotel, right across from the convention center, with the possiblity of a skywalk, really fits. This is the concept for just about every significant city with a convention center that I've visited (Charlotte, Memphis, Birmingham, Mobile, Cincinnati, etc). I remember reading an article about how the presence of such a hotel would positively impact the area, as there are some conventions that will not utilize a convention center without an anchor hotel.

[Spartan]

I think the Holiday Inn is walkable. I agree that the Marriott is not doable within a reasonable timeframe.

[vicupstate]

Spartan, on Jun 17 2005, 04:26 PM, said:

If the Hampton Inn & Suites wasn't the same distance away as this proposed Hilton I would agree with you.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How many rooms does the Hampton Inn have?  Less than 150 would be my guess.  Too few rooms to truly serve the COnvention Center and normal traffic.

[waccamatt]

The Holiday Inn is mediocre as a hotel at best and convention goers don't want to stay blocks away from the convention. The hotel needs to be next to the center for the center to reach its potential, imho.

[Spartan]

vicupstate, on Jun 18 2005, 07:40 PM, said:

Less than 150 would be my guess.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree.

waccamatt, on Jun 19 2005, 03:13 AM, said:

The Holiday Inn is mediocre as a hotel at best and convention goers don't want to stay blocks away from the convention. The hotel needs to be next to the center for the center to reach its potential, imho.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

True.