GAINESVILLE, Fla., Nov. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The 205-room
DoubleTree by Hilton celebrated the official grand opening event in
style with a tailgate-themed party featuring the University of Florida's cheerleaders and dazzlers.
Guests, local dignitaries and Hilton Worldwide executives were
joined by Ken Ferretti, vice
president at CrossHarbor Capital Partners; Steve Johnson, executive vice president of
Driftwood Hospitality Management; and Dennis Morgan, director of brand performance for
Hilton Worldwide, to help officially welcome the hotel to
Gainesville.
![DoubleTree By Hilton Gainesville Ribbon Cutting DoubleTree By Hilton Gainesville Ribbon Cutting](https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnvar/20161117/440732)
"We're excited to offer a hospitality, bar and dining experience
unlike anything else in Gainesville," said Ken
Ferretti, vice president at CrossHarbor Capital Partners,
who led the redevelopment. In 2015, CrossHarbor acquired the
property - formerly known as the independently-flagged Cabot Lodge,
and successfully led the transformative process to fully redesign,
renovate and convert the property to DoubleTree by Hilton.
Driftwood Hospitality Management will be the hotel manager.
"We were fortunate to have the opportunity to start with a blank
slate and design a hotel that would excite and attract guests and
give them a reason to call us home. With the hard work of
Connor & Gaskins, (general contractor), DLR (architect) and
PDSI (construction manager), we are thrilled with the hotel and
guest experience we have created here in Gainesville."
To introduce the community to the property, the hotel hosted an
evening cocktail reception with live DJ, champagne toast, hors
d'oeuvres and the spirit of the University of
Florida cheerleaders and dazzlers. Wednesday's
occasion gave attendees the opportunity to tour the hotel and
experience first-hand the atrium-style lobby and bar area and
outdoor courtyard space ideal for social events and corporate
meetings – where guests may unwind over a variety of beers and
cocktails, while watching sports on the 12-foot-wide TV wall.
Each attendee received a "playbook" to be stamped
in seven different rooms throughout the tour – signifying a
touchdown scored at the end and further connecting the event to its
tailgate theme. Guests also participated in a raffle, raising more
than $500 for the University of Florida's Center for Autism and
Related Disabilities, in return for the chance to win prizes
provided by the hotel.
With an academic and Gator-theme woven throughout
the fully-renovated, 205-room contemporary hotel is the first
in Gainesville for DoubleTree by
Hilton – one of Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) 13 market-leading brands.
Ideally situated just two miles from the nearby university campus
and UF Health hospital, DoubleTree by Hilton Gainesville is a short
walk from shops at Butler Plaza and offers convenient access to
I-75 and Archer Road.
Each spacious and newly-renovated guest room has fashionable
décor that is both charming and functional. Rooms are furnished
with a large, 50" HDTV, guest baths featuring granite stone tops,
subway tile showers and DoubleTree Sweet Dreams® Sleep Experience
beds. The property also houses Fodder and Shine – the hotel's
casual rustic restaurant.
In addition to the iconic warm Chocolate Chip Cookie welcome,
the hotel provides a full complement of services and brand
amenities, including the Wake-Up DoubleTree Breakfast, an
assortment of gourmet in-room tea and coffee offerings by The
Coffee Bean & Tea
Leaf® and a refreshing array of the Aroma Actives
Essentials natural skin and body care line.
The property is also a preferred hotel provider of the Florida
Gators and all games and events will be shown live.
High-res images of the property may be downloaded here:
http://bit.ly/2eXQaNP
For more information, or to make a reservation, travelers may
visit dtgainsville.doubletreebyhilton.com or call
352-375-2400.
About CrossHarbor Capital Partners LLC
CrossHarbor Capital Partners LLC (CrossHarbor), based in
Boston and with offices in Newport
Beach, is an alternative investment management firm that invests in
core-plus, value-add and opportunistic commercial real estate
transactions. The firm seeks short and medium duration debt
and equity investments that offer a compelling case for generating
high absolute returns. CrossHarbor was founded in 1993 and has
invested in more than $12 billion of
commercial real estate on behalf of a diversified and highly
regarded group of endowments, foundations, public and corporate
pension plans, financial institutions, family offices and sovereign
entities. For more information, visit
www.crossharborcapital.com.
About Driftwood Hospitality Management
Driftwood
Hospitality Management is a leading hotel management company
currently operating approximately 40 hotels with more than 8,000
rooms throughout the United States
and Costa Rica. The company's portfolio includes a broad
cross-section of branded hotels ranging from large full-service to
mid-size, extended stay and limited-service properties, as well as
independent hotels, boutiques and resorts. Members of the
company's senior management team have an average of 20 years of
experience in all segments of the lodging industry and have proven
highly successful in the development of new hotels and hotel
takeovers, as well as re-positioning and optimization of hotel
operations. Driftwood has extensive management experience and
relationships with most major brands, including Hilton Worldwide,
Marriott International, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide,
InterContinental Hotels Group, Inc., Choice Hotels International,
Inc. and Wyndham Worldwide, and has successful cultivated long-term
relationships with some of the most renowned institutional
investors and banking institutions in the world.
About DoubleTree by Hilton
DoubleTree by Hilton is a
fast-growing, global collection of more than 465 upscale hotels
with more than 112,000 rooms in gateway cities, metropolitan areas
and vacation destinations across six continents. Everything about
DoubleTree by Hilton aims to return the human touch to travel,
starting with the presentation of a warm chocolate chip cookie upon
arrival and continuing throughout with Team Members dedicated to
Creating a Rewarding Experience (CARE) for hotel guests, other Team
Members and the communities the brand proudly serves. DoubleTree by
Hilton properties offer unique, contemporary accommodations and
full-service facilities including restaurants and lounges, room
service, health clubs, business centers and meeting and banquet
space. Hilton HHonors members who book directly through preferred
Hilton channels receive instant benefits, including an exclusive
member discount that can't be found anywhere else, free standard
Wi-Fi and digital amenities like digital check-in with room
selection and Digital Key (selected locations) available
exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton HHonors app. To
make reservations at any DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, travelers may
visit our brand website at doubletree.com. Social media users may
connect with us at facebook.com/doubletree, twitter.com/doubletree
and youtube.com/doubletreehotels. Reporters and bloggers may visit
our DoubleTree by Hilton Global Media Center at news.doubletree.com
for more information.
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a
leading global hospitality company, comprising more than 4,700
managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare
properties with over 775,000 rooms in 104 countries and
territories. For 97 years, Hilton has been dedicated to continuing
its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The
company's portfolio of 13 world-class global brands includes Hilton
Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad
Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by
Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton
Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru
by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and
Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning
customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Hilton HHonors members
who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to
benefits including an exclusive member discount, free standard
Wi-Fi, as well as digital amenities that are available exclusively
through the industry-leading Hilton HHonors app, where Hilton
HHonors members can check-in, choose their room, and access their
room using a Digital Key. Visit news.hiltonworldwide.com for more
information and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,
Flickr, LinkedIn and Instagram.
CONTACTS:
Nora Minichino
Driftwood Hospitality Management, LLC
561-207-2756
nminichino@dhmhotels.com
Matt Ritter / Sylvia
Kindlain
Hemsworth Communications
954-716-7614
DriftwoodPR@HemsworthCommunications.com
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SOURCE Driftwood Hospitality Management