Columbus, Ohio USA — On the eve of its grand opening gala, Hotel LeVeque has been honored by the Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association for excellence in boutique hotel design. The hotel was recognized as “Best Lifestyle Soft Brand.” The category acknowledges individual hotels that retain unique design and orientation, yet have are affiliated with a major hotel brand.
An Autograph Collection property, Hotel LeVeque is part of Marriott International’s boutique collection of hotels, each of which is carefully selected for its quality, bold originality, rich character and uncommon details that embody an extraordinary sense of place. Hotel LeVeque just opened to stellar reviews in March with 149 guest rooms and suites in the historic LeVeque Tower at 50 E. Broad St. in the heart of downtown in Ohio’s capital city. Hotel LeVeque details and reservations are found at HotelLeVequeColumbus.com.
“Hotel LeVeque is a truly unique property. We are proud to provide memorable experiences to our guests every day and are honored to receive such a prestigious award,” said Robert Habeeb, president and CEO of First Hospitality Group, which owns and operates the property. “It is no easy task to take such an iconic and historic landmark and reinvent it into a modern hotel, while ensuring the integrity of the space remains, but Hotel LeVeque shines as a world-class hotel that is uniquely Columbus—and our guests appreciate that.”
The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) is the hospitality industry’s resource on boutique and lifestyle lodging business insight. The association seeks to “champion the needs of independent boutique and lifestyle properties,” by uniting travelers, hoteliers and other travel professionals. BLLA also hosts an annual awards dinner honoring the best in boutique lodging experiences. Hotel LeVeque was recognized at the Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association Hospitality Awards dinner on October 4.
“As a relatively new hotel, we are so honored to be recognized by the Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association for Best Lifestyle Soft Brand,” said Hotel LeVeque General Manager Geri Lombard. “We strive every day to provide an experience for our guests that is exactly like nothing else and we are confident in delivering an unmatched experience that reflects the grace and glamour of this beautiful building’s rich history, yet with all of the elegant contemporary touches.”
As all memorable design begins with an indelible storyline, Chicago-based Gettys Group tapped the colorful past of the LeVeque Tower to set the stage for Hotel LeVeque’s celestial-inspired interiors and branding. Because the tower stands tall as an icon of the Columbus skyline, the firm incorporated a star motif into the hotel as a revitalized “beacon of hospitality.” The team embraced the structure’s art deco-style, pairing celestial and astrological themes with deep blues and dazzling golds, reminiscent of a night sky.
Originally built in 1927 as the American Insurance Union Citadel, the LeVeque Tower was architect Charles Howard Crane’s masterpiece. At the time, the LeVeque Tower was the tallest skyscraper between New York City and Chicago, and the fifth tallest building in the world. It was home to the graceful Deshler Wallick Hotel. It later became known as the Lincoln LeVeque Tower, then simply the LeVeque Tower, after its purchase in 1945. The LeVeque Tower’s remarkable art deco architecture remains the city’s most recognizable feature and is among Columbus’ most photographed and revered architectural treasures. Illuminating the night skyline as a soaring tower bathed in light, its architectural beauty is carefully preserved and highlighted in elegant design by Columbus-based Schooley Caldwell architects.
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About First Hospitality Group
First Hospitality Group, Inc. (FHG) is a leading hotel management, acquisition and development company with more than 30 years of award-winning experience. FHG’s unique people-driven professional culture fosters a team of highly skilled and motivated hospitality experts who consistently deliver outstanding property level performance, as well as memorable and engaging guest experiences. Headquartered in Chicago, FHG’s portfolio features 19 brands and 42 properties throughout the Midwest. Recognized in Forbes America’s Best Midsize Employers 2016, FHG received a #28 ranking out of the 250 best midsize employers in the country, #1 in the travel category, and #3 amongst all of America’s best travel companies. For more information, visit, www.fhginc.com. Follow FHG on Facebook at @FHGinc and Twitter at @FHGroup_Inc.
About Autograph Collection Hotels
Autograph Collection Hotels celebrates individuality by curating one-of-a-kind travel experiences at more than 100 luxury lifestyle hotels found in the world’s most desirable destinations. Exactly like nothing else, Autograph Collection properties are hand selected for their rich character and uncommon details. A personal realization of an individual founder’s vision, these hotels are defined by unique design, differentiated guest experiences and their meaningful role in locality. For more information, please visit www.autographhotels.com, and explore our social media channels on Instagram Twitter and Facebook to learn more about championing the independent spirit that is #ExactlyLikeNothingElse. Autograph Collection Hotels is proud to participate in the industry’s award-winning loyalty program, Marriott Rewards®, in which members can link accounts with Starwood Preferred Guest® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is the world’s largest hotel company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with nearly 6,000 properties in 120 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts. The company’s 30 leading brands include: Bulgari®, The Ritz-Carlton® and The Ritz-Carlton Reserve®, St. Regis®, W®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, The Luxury Collection®, Marriott Hotels®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Renaissance® Hotels, Sheraton®, Delta Hotels by MarriottSM, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Tribute Portfolio™, Design Hotels™, Gaylord Hotels®, Courtyard®, Four Points® by Sheraton, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, Residence Inn®, TownePlace Suites®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Aloft®, Element®, Moxy® Hotels, and Protea Hotels by Marriott®. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com and @MarriottIntl.