Cincinnati Banks On Kentucky Growth

<B> Cincinnati Banks On Kentucky Growth</B>

By Robert Selwitz

More than the name of a recent movie, "A River Runs Through It" also denotes the geography of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region, divided by the Ohio River. While Cincinnati on its northern bank is the sector's urban center, Northern Kentucky, the site of extensive new developments and home to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, is equally critical.

Certainly, the most important new hotel in the area is the 15-story, 326-room Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter in Covington. Opened in February, the Marriott is just 20 minutes from the airport. Furthermore, though located in another state, it's just minutes from downtown Cincinnati.

Each room boasts a view of the Ohio River and the Cincinnati skyline. There is free parking in a four-story garage, a three-story fitness and spa center including a swimming pool and three dining options. There also is a concierge level on the top two stories, which includes complimentary breakfast at the special 14th floor lounge.

The hotel also features 10 function rooms, with more than 9,000 square feet of total area, all barrier-free and with individual lighting controls, and a ballroom that accommodates up to 900 reception style or 637 theater style.

Attached to the property is the $29 million Northern Kentucky Convention Center, with 36,000 square feet of additional function space that includes a ballroom that holds 2,280 attendees reception style, 1,580 for banquets and 2,040 theater style.

According to Northern Kentucky Convention & Visitors Bureau spokesperson Sheree Allgood, the new facility completes the region's roster of "modern function spaces for virtually all-size gatherings and trade shows."

"Our new facility targets midsize meetings. This perfectly complements the 161,000-sq.-ft. Sabin Convention Center in downtown Cincinnati that regularly hosts larger events; and the 16,554-sq.-ft. Sharonville Convention Center, north of downtown Cincinnati, that is perfect for smaller functions," Allgood said.

Besides boasting the region's newest and most luxurious property, Northern Kentucky offers a roster of attractive hotel choices, many of which are somewhat less expensive than those across the Ohio River.

"In Northern Kentucky, along with reduced rates, parking is generally free, as opposed to the $16 per day charges commonly found in many downtown Cincinnati properties. And all major Northern Kentucky hotels have complimentary airport shuttles," said Allgood.

Among the newer Northern Kentucky properties are the 151-room Hampton Inn, the 105-room Extended Stay America Hotels in Covington and the 124-suite Comfort Suites in Newport. Furthermore, adjacent to the new Marriott is the 226-unit Embassy Suites River Center, which the chain recently lauded as being one of its best properties.

Also in the area is the 236-room Quality Hotel Riverview, which is in the midst of a $3 million renovation program. It features a floor devoted to meeting space and a 6,000-sq.-ft. ballroom, divisible into four sections.

In Cincinnati proper, a number of major properties--all within reach of the Sabin Center and the central business district--have undertaken major upgrades.

The 621-room Omni Netherland Plaza, a national historic landmark, recently invested $1 million to add four new boardrooms for up to 14 attendees. It offers an Executive Service Plan--via a negotiated corporate rate-- that provides a number of amenities, including a complimentary breakfast at the hotel's Palm Court Restaurant.

Overlooking Fountain Square, the 448-room Westin Hotel Cincinnati last year wrapped up a $5.2 million renovation of all guestrooms and public spaces that enlarged the rooms, added working desks and two-line phones and enhanced the rooftop health club and swimming area.

This spring, a $6 million renovation project will commence at the 485-room Hyatt Regency. All guestrooms will be modernized to include dual-line phones, dataports, voice mail, oversized work desks and new leather chairs. The Hyatt also offers two attractive add-on plans. For $20 above room rate, business travelers can get unlimited local telephone usage, free access to a fax machine and a complimentary continental breakfast. For $30 above room rate, the Regency Club Plan includes access to the VIP lounge on the Regency's concierge level, complimentary breakfast and evening snacks and drinks, plus free local telephone calls and fax transmissions.

According to Gail Harden-Renfro, spokesperson for the Greater Cincinnati CVB, "business in Cincinnati is not strictly a downtown affair. Since many corporate headquarters and office parks are located in northern suburbs, it really behooves visitors to find out precisely where he or she really needs to be. Chances are, fine accommodations will be relatively nearby."

Among leading suburban properties undergoing major upgrades is the 177-room Blue Ash Hotel & Conference Center, just off Interstate 71, which is wrapping up a $3 million renovation that transformed 90 guestrooms into 45 business suites. The goal was to create separate living and working spaces, enabling the guest to use the living room for interviews, meetings or other functions while shutting off the bedroom.

Amenity upgrades throughout the property include the addition of in-room coffee makers, two-line phones with modem hookups, desk workstations, gratis newspaper and free shuttle service within a five-mile radius of the hotel.