Tower Investments

Clarion Hotel staff geared up on Tuesday to officially celebrate the top-to-bottom renovation of the downtown Sioux City hotel.

 

The former Plaza Hotel, which became part of the national Clarion chain earlier this year, invited more than 350 local leaders to a grand reopening party from 5 to 7 p.m. today.

 

"It's going to be a major event for the hotel," said David Golida, the Clarion's director of sales.

 

Hotel staff will showcase more than $2.8 million in renovations, which include refurbishing guest rooms and the lounge and restaurant, upgrading amenities and adding new guest services.

 

Golida said the grand reopening will be an opportunity for the Clarion to introduce itself to corporate customers, including those who formerly scheduled events at the hotel before it fell on hard times.

 

'The local companies have more confidence in doing business with us because we're a branded hotel," Golida said.

 

Once affiliated with the Hilton chain, the downtown Sioux City fell on hard times in more recent years.  Tower Investments, a California-based investment firm, acquired the 191-room hotel in a nationwide auction late last year.  Tower tapped Moorestown, N.J.-based GF Management to run the day-to-day operations and return the landmark property to its former prominence.

 

Clarion is the top-of-the line brand for Choice Hotels, which markets more than 5,000 properties in 40 countries under flags that also include Comfort Inn, Econo Lodge, Quality Inn and Rodeway Inn.  Last month, the Sioux City hotel gained access to Choice's nationwide reservation system.  The increased exposure has contributed to a more than 10 percent gain in guest room bookings, Golida said.

 

In addition to raising occupancy rates, the new look and named hotel is expected to attract more conventions and large gatherings.

 

The hotel also hopes to attract local residents to its lounge and restaurant, which had been closed for some time before being extensively refurbished.  The new-look restaurant, called the Olive Tree, opened for the first time Tuesday.  Featuring an Italian theme, the Olive Tree will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  The chef is Danielle O'Connor, formerly of the Dakota Dunes Country Club.

 

The adjoining Olive Tree Lounge seats up to 50 people.

 

Siouxland Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors are scheduled to conduct a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Clarion at 5:30 p.m. today.