McNeill Hotel Company officially began construction on a new Homewood Suites by Hilton hotel in Athens, Ga.
Scheduled to open in spring of 2018, the Homewood Suites – Athens is located at the edge of “The Mark,” a mixed-use development now under construction on nine acres between East Broad and Oconee streets on the eastern edge of downtown Athens. The hotel will have 130 guestroom suites offering one- and two-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens and a separate living-room area. Guests will have access to free Wi-Fi, online check in and room selection, a guest laundry room, and free grocery shopping service. A complimentary hot breakfast is served each morning, and on Monday through Thursday guests will enjoy the complimentary evening social gathering. The property is pet friendly.
Based in Germantown, Tenn., McNeill currently also owns and operates the Hilton-branded Hampton Inn Athens, located on West Broad Street. In total, the company operates 14 hotels across the Southeast, including other Hampton Inns, and the Marriott-branded Fairfield Inn & Suites, Towne Place Suites, Courtyard and Residence Inns.
“When we were approached about developing a hotel as a part of the overall project, we immediately thought the Homewood Suites by Hilton brand would be a perfect fit,” Mark Ricketts, president and COO of the McNeill Hotel Company, said in a statement. “It provides the city of Athens with an upscale, extended stay product that was currently lacking in the market. The location is first class with its proximity to Downtown, the Classic Center, the University and Sanford Stadium. Its unique design and layout will provide the guest with a completely unique hotel experience.”
The Homewood Suites Athens will also have upgraded guest amenities such as an expanded exercise room, large outdoor seating area with grills and fire pit, 1,000 square feet of meeting space, a media room with billiard table and a bar area.