Ramada JFK Airport Boosts Corporate Mix

For those flying into New York's John F. Kennedy Airport, the choice to stay at the only hotel on airport property usually results from a mechanical delay or a snowstorm. But now that Ramada has upgraded the old Travelodge property into a Ramada Plaza Hotel, travelers can work, sleep, hold meetings and do business more effectively.

While the hotel for several years has enjoyed two solid markets: distressed travelers-flight delays contribute to 30 percent of guest volume-and airport and airline staff, improvements and marketing efforts over the past six months have raised the transient travel and meetings mix, said vice president and general manager Ronald Petroski.

Improvements have included a refurbishment of all 470 rooms, suites and public areas; new business-class rooms with two phones, dataports, spacious work areas, in-room coffeemakers and complimentary daily newspaper; a new business center, available free and around the clock with fax, copy machines, computers and printers; and free local and 800-number calls.

With the changes now in place, plus preferred rate programs negotiated with meeting managers and travel management companies, corporate mix jumped between 5 and 6 percent in the second half of 1996.

For meetings, the hotel offers close to 10,000 feet of function space, Petroski said, adding that he expects group travel lift to increase further because the hotel offers a viable alternative to coordinating transportation into Manhattan for delegates who arrive on different flights.

Ironically, the property's profile was heightened further when the hotel was used as a base of operations for investigators, families and media in the aftermath of the TWA flight 800 crash.

While rack rates range from $168 to $188, the standard corporate rate averages about $139. Other amenities include a fitness center, a full-service restaurant and complimentary 24-hour shuttle service to and from the airport terminals.