[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHpcKzvfbUY]
MANCHESTER, NH – With a few yanks of a stubborn rope concealing the signage on the front of the building, Mayor Joyce Craig helped to unveil the latest iteration of the city’s anchor hotel – Doubletree by Hilton Manchester Downtown officially launched Wednesday with a multi-million dollar rebrand. The refresh of the long-standing hotel signals a new era for the Queen City.
“DoubleTree by Hilton prides itself on paying attention to details, large and small, that make a positive impact and impression on our guests, all starting with our signature warm DoubleTree Cookies at check-in,” said general manager Kim Roy.
A small group of guests that included Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce staff, local business leaders, media, and the mayor did a sweep of the reconfigured spaces – a hotel bar with comfy seating, a larger restaurant/dining area with a remote-controlled screen to conceal the serving area, and a VIP-only section behind privacy glass for Hilton Honors silver and gold-level members give the hotel an entirely different look and feel.
The 248-room hotel first opened in 1983 and serves as a hub for downtown commerce, including galas, conferences, trade meetings, political gatherings, comicons, high school proms and reunions, and weddings year round.
“This is an exciting evolution for a downtown Queen City institution that has always embraced our community and city’s rich history, while serving as an important economic hub for the region,” Craig said.
JD’s Tavern will now serve as a private function room, known as The Penstock, while The Current Kitchen and Bar at the Penstock will take over as the official hotel restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner for hotel guests or the public, and continue into the evening hours as a downtown destination bar featuring a food and drink menu by Executive Chef Todd Lytle.
Workmen were on site Wednesday shuffling through the lobby with toolboxes, putting finishing touches on the renovations in time for the official launch of the new brand, set for Nov. 7, while hotel staff gathered for a group shot on the lobby stairway.
“It’s worth mentioning that your staff is second to none,” Craig said, evoking a cheer from staff members who were assembled for the unveiling. “Now, where are those cookies?”
The Doubletree Hilton Manchester Downtown Hotel is managed locally by Pyramid Hotel Group, a privately held Boston-based hotel company with more than 100 hotels. Additional information is available at www.pyramidhotelgroup.com.
