Wilmington Convention Center, the largest convention center on the North Carolina coast offering meeting capabilities from 20 to 2,000 people, expects to boost interest with the addition of two downtown hotels.
Virginia-based Harmony Hospitality obtained unanimous approval from the City of Wilmington to move forward with the development of the Embassy Suites adjacent to the Wilmington Convention Center. The 186-room hotel will consist of 161,719 square feet total, stand 95 feet tall and include a 5,900 square-foot restaurant and 6,600 square feet of meeting space as well as an indoor pool and fitness center.
“We’ve been anxiously waiting for more hotel inventory since the convention center opened in late 2010. These new hotels are going to allow us to satisfy the demand for larger groups in the downtown area and in on-site accommodations from a wider variety of groups and conventions – this is great news for the City of Wilmington and the Wilmington Convention Center,” said Susan Eaton, General Manager, Wilmington Convention Center.
The grand opening is scheduled for August 2015.
While one hotel received approval for development, another has already opened its doors.
Courtyard by Marriott Wilmington Downtown, located at the corner of Grace and North Second Streets, revealed six stories and 124 rooms. Luxuries of the hotel include 1,879 square feet of meeting space, a corporate boardroom and business library, a covered and uncovered patio, fire pit, fitness center, outdoor swimming pool and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the facility. The Bistro is the brand’s signature bar and restaurant idea and will offer breakfast, dinner and Starbucks Coffee to hotel guests and the general public. Valet parking will also be available.
Before opening, the hotel had already secured 20 wedding groups and received many inquiries from business travelers about on-site amenities and availability. The hotel will be managed by Greensboro-based CN Hotels Inc.
