As you would expect - many of my hotel updates will be related to full service properties that have the meeting space that can accommodate meetings of a larger size, but in these next two entries to the blog I want to highlight a couple of smaller "new" properties that may be of interest.

With the brief departure of the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown from our inventory (the Courtyard DT sits on the construction site of the JW Marriott hotel complex and will reopen in the first quarter of 2010 as a Fairfield Inn and Suites), we could have lost some of our select service inventory here downtown that allows us to offer multiple price points and products to Indianapolis convention attendees.  However, Dora Brothers Hospitality Corporation (one of our great local Indianapolis hotel management companies) timed things just right by opening this property this past  May - just as the Courtyard was temporarily closing.

Although this property only offers 130 rooms, it has made significant contributions to our Indianapolis package for downtown convention this year.  And if you think select service means less service - think again.

I visited the Comfort Suites during their customer appreciation open house at the end of October and was impressed by the quality of the hotel - plus it's fun and a bit edgy.  Here are a few photos that will help you see what I mean.

This shot is looking back to the main entrance (just out of the photo to the left) and shows the funky textile patterns on the furniture.  You also see the color red quite a bit here - and this will continue throughout the entire property.

Pass through the lobby and you'll enter into the restaurant&bar where you have your choice of dining inside or...

...when the weather is great you can pop outside and snag a seat on the patio.  This shot shows the proximity to Lucas Oil Stadium.

Now up to the guestroom floors - here is a shot of one of the guest corridors.  I have to admit, the carpet design isn't one of my favorites, but I did like the subtle architectural feature worked into the overnight room entrances.  Instead of the typical squared off indentation for the door, they went with an angled indentation instead.  Not sure I've seen that before in any Indianapolis area hotels.

Once inside the room you'll again find red is the color of choice for the backdrop to the bed.

Between the bathroom and the bed you'll find some comfortable furniture as well as the microwave, refrigerator and workspace (yes - free wifi in the rooms).  You can also see that each room has a flatscreen TV which puts them ahead of the curve compared to many other hotels that are in the process of upgrading to those.

Meeting space?  They do have it, although I wasn't able to get a blogworthy shot of it during the event - the room was packed with clients!.  It is an 1100 square foot room that divides into nearly 2 equal sections.  You can see the full capacity specs on their website and for a photo of it, just click on over to their listing on our website (it is image #13 in the photo gallery).

If you are interested in adding another price point to your convention room block or if you are planning an event at Lucas Oil Stadium and want everyone to stay right across the street - Robert Goad is your "go to" guy for this hotel.  You can reach him at 317-968-9494; rgoad@dorahotels.com.