The Ponchatrain Hotel To Become Crowne Plaza [[again)

[313WX]

The article was published in subscribed editions of Crain's Detroit Business. For those who don't remember, back when the Pontchartrain originally closed a few years back, it was a Crowne Plaza. Now after roughly 5 years [[give or take), Crowne Plaza has returned to downtown Detroit's hotel market. However, reservations under their name won't be accepted until after July 9th, 2009.
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/dttcd

[Rocko]

I've been told the view from some of the rooms of the downtown buildings and river is quite amazing. Maybe I'll have to spend a night there after July 9

[irish_mafia]

Best thing they could do is start a weekly music festival...maybe call it Jazz at the top of the Pontch

[Bobl]

With a great location and some spectacular views, this should be a goldmine. Something has been wrong with the vibe there, and service has not been great. Maybe a change and some improvements will help. A return of the "Top Of The Pontch" concerts would be nice, too!

[d.mcc]

The Ponch???

[rooms222]

From Crains through Google NEWS

The Pontchartrain becomes Crowne Plaza

The former Pontchartrain Hotel in Detroit has picked up the Crowne Plaza flag.

Bookings for the hotel can be made starting in July through the Crowne Plaza brand, a division of Atlanta-based InterContinental Hotels Group, said IHG communications specialist Caroline Sanfilippo.

In August, the hotel was renamed Detroit Riverside Hotel after the Sheraton franchise broke ties with the property's ownership group, Boca Raton, Fla.-based Shubh Hotels L.L.C.

Ownership spent $35 million in renovations before reopening the 367-room property in 2007 under the Sheraton flag.

Changes planned for the hotel include a staff-training program to make customers' stays more restful and a comprehensive program to offer more services to small meetings, said Sanfilippo.

It remains a franchised hotel, she said, so any additional capital improvements will be paid by the ownership group.

— Daniel Duggan



Google news is our friend....Both WSJ and Crains articles are often available through searching Google News...........