Lincoln Hotels Offer Hospitality Plus
By Judy Shutts
Whether travelers prefer a traditional hotel or a bed and breakfast, Lincoln rolls out the welcome mat.
Embassy Suites
A “suite refresh” is underway at the Embassy Suites, located at 1040 P Street. Guests who choose a premium suite, with its new carpet and furnishings have free Wi-Fi, and a docking station with Bluetooth, along with 24-hour access to a refreshment center on the floor. The upgrade is part of the $1 million investment Embassy Suites makes each year on refreshing its rooms.
A new digital key system offers convenience for guests, who can pre-select their room, preferences and check-in with their smart phone. Guests can breeze past the front desk if they choose. Once at their room, they use their phone to open the door.
Bryan Sullivan, director of sales and marketing at the Embassy Suites, said the hotel has a lot of repeat guests. “Loyalty is big. They love the tradition, and they know what they’ll get.”
One of the guests’ favorite traditions is the “Do the Dock” tailgate prior to each Husker football game. “People love the bands,” Sullivan says. Several local bands, such as Groove Puppet and Fresh Day, play on a rotation.
But the Husker weekends really begin on Friday evening when fans celebrate with the Weiner Slinger and the Spirit Squad as well as KLKN, which broadcasts live from the hotel. “We have the whole package,” Sullivan said.
The Regents ballroom is the city’s largest, accommodating 1500 guests. The first floor location makes it ideal for banquets, weddings and conventions.
The Embassy is the only all-suite hotel in Lincoln and is part of the Hilton group. The hotel competed in the Lincoln Choice Awards and was designated the best hotel in Lincoln for the last five years.
The Embassy prides itself on its service. “Most compliments are for the staff,” Sullivan said. “They strive to anticipate and accommodate the guests’ needs. That seems to matter the most.”
For the Embassy on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/embassysuiteslincoln/. Or visit the website at embassysuites3.hilton.com
Cornhusker Marriott Hotel
Ninety years ago, during the Roaring Twenties, the Cornhusker was born. And it has been serving up hospitality ever since. A popular spot for Husker fans, weddings and conventions, the hotel has hosted high-profile guests such as John Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr.
Times change, and so has the Cornhusker. A new building went up in 1984 and more recently it had an $11 million facelift. Improvements included multi-media technology needed for conventions
and meetings.
Casey Wurst, marketing manager for the Cornhusker, said the hotel continues to renovate, upgrading the interior and exterior with eco-friendly materials.
The Artist-in-Residence program draws the interest of guests and visitors, Wurst said. Guests and visitors can watch artist Margaret Berry in action in the lobby studio. Berry works in encaustic, demonstrating her art and giving hands-on instruction.
The hotel takes the term “sweet” to a new level with honeybees on its roof. Executive chef Bill Wilkinson uses the honey in his culinary creations. On premises are two dining choices: Miller Time Pub and the Café.
The Husker football squad takes over two floors on pre-game nights. On football Saturdays Husker fans enjoy a tailgate where they can cheer on the team, and enjoy food and giveaways.
Check out the happenings at the Cornhusker on the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thecornhuskermarriott. To reserve a room, visit the website at marrott.com
A hotel concept that is new to Lincoln opened its doors in 2016. The Sleep Inn & Suites and MainStay Suites is at 2803 Folkways Blvd. and both are housed under one roof.
The Sleep Inn & Suites is on one side with 56 rooms and the MainStay, for extended stays, has 40 rooms on the other side. MainStay rooms have full kitchens with dishwashers, and some have separate bedrooms. The rooms are all in one building, making it easy to share amenities, such as the pool, fitness center and breakfast area.
Convenient to the Haymarket and the Pinnacle Bank Arena, Courtyard Marriott offers amenities such as an indoor pool, fitness center and a fire pit in the outdoor courtyard. The courtyard is a favorite place to work or relax and has a misting system to help guests keep their cool. The lobby features media pods and free wi-fi.
The hotel is at 808 R Street and caters to business travelers as well as guests on a weekend get-away.
The Hilton Garden prides itself on its warm
and inviting rooms that are equipped with the
latest technology.
An urban-style hotel, it offers its guests an indoor pool, fitness center, and ergonomic chairs and desks. Complimentary Wi-Fi, 24-hour business center and 3000 feet of meeting space are among its features.
TownPlace Suites by Marriott is an extended-stay hotel located at 7353 Husker Circle, near 1-80 and North 27th Street.
Guests can choose from studios to one- or two-bedroom suites, equipped with kitchens that have stainless steel appliances and granite countertops.
Chase Suites Hotel is nestled in a secluded setting minutes away from shopping, dining major businesses and sporting venues. Guests can begin mornings with a hearty homemade breakfast and relax at the manager’s reception on weekday evenings or take a dip in the outdoor pool.
Free wi-fi, a business center and free shuttle service are a plus for business travelers. Located at 200 South 68th Place, Chase Suites, with its condo-like design and kitchenettes, is a good choice for extended-stays.
Quality Inn and Suites is reminiscent of a medieval castle located at I-80 and 27th Street. Quality Inn can accommodate travelers with standard rooms, extended stay suites or elaborately decorated theme rooms, which include a king bed, and a Jacuzzi tub or fireplace.
One of the newest hotels in Lincoln is the Best Western Plus at 2200 Wildcat Circle, near I-80 and 27th Street. Convenient to local businesses and attractions, the hotel has 950 square feet of flexible meeting space for meetings, receptions or reunions.
Another new hotel, Fairfield Inn and Suites, welcomes guests to south Lincoln at 8455 Andermatt Drive. The hotel combines modern comfort with conveniences such as free wi-fi, breakfast buffett and an indoor pool. A small meeting room is available for training or retreats, along with a scenic outdoor space.
For visitors looking for the intimate atmosphere of a bed and breakfast, here are a few of the choices.
The Rogers House has 11 guests rooms with antique furnishings in two house houses at 2145 B street and 2125 B Street. The rooms come with full baths and a gourmet breakfast.
The Westview Bed and Breakfast is set in the countryside at 7000 NW 27th St., only eight minutes from downtown Lincoln. The Westview is also a popular site for both indoor and outdoor weddings.
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