Marlborough Holiday Inn Rebranded and Refurbished

The Marlborough Holiday Inn is reintroducing itself after being rebranded with the new Holiday Inn logo and a complete makeover to the tune of $5 million. The hotel, located at 265 Lakeside Avenue, right by the exits to 495, sits atop a hill overlooking Lake Williams. The Holiday Inn is Marlborough’s oldest hotel, built in 1971 and owned by Midland Hotel Corporation which also owns the Holiday Inns in Peabody and Dedham.

The Marlborough Holiday Inn offers 20 suites, 100 double rooms, 47 king size and 6 queen/handicapped. ‘We have a great new product in a great location,’ says Tina Suarez, director of sales and marketing. Corporate clients can have their pick of meeting space from the entire ballroom that can seat 550 theater style, to smaller conference rooms that seat 20 – 30 people. When it comes to big events, parking which is usually an issue is certainly not a problem here – the parking lot is enormous!

One little known feature of the Marlborough Holiday Inn is the Lago Grille and Lounge. Completely renovated, the restaurant is perfect for casual dining in a family-friendly atmosphere. The bar area is the perfect place to relax and watch sports, enjoy appetizers, sandwiches, and pizza  or experience some of the new cocktails they are now serving.

The rooms which have all been refurbished offer clean lines accented with bright yet sophisticated splashes of color. The bathrooms offer a touch of luxury and contain very modern looking vanities and a selection of top brand personal hygiene items. All rooms enjoy free high-speed, wireless Internet access and expanded cable options.

One of the hotel’s strong suites is the longevity of its staff. Patty Hogan, waitress in the restaurant has been there for 19 years. She remembers the early days when the hotel was the main attraction in Marlborough. The restaurant and bar area in particular was always packed with locals and full of life, she recalls. For repeat guests, there’s nothing more comforting than staff who remember you.

Stahr Brown, catering sales manager used to work at the front desk where she gained intimate knowledge of the hotel’s operations and the nature of guest relations.  Her people skills and outgoing nature made her yearn to be more involved in events and customer relations. Today she uses valuable feedback she has received from guests when she goes about planning social events. The fact that she lives in Marlborough gives her added insight and intimate local knowledge and people like that, she believes.

Rebecca Barry, group sales manager agrees that building relationships with guests and corporate clients is key to success. Barry takes care of the bigger groups that come into town for various tournaments and sporting events, particularly at the New England Sports Center. Weddings of course are big business for any hotel.

Suarez feels the hotel becomes a part of the fabric of people’s lives. They get married there, may have their kids’ Bar Mitzvahs or other ceremonies there and some may even have a bereavement event there like the family of a couple who were married in the hotel 27 years ago did recently.

The all female sales team of Tina Suarez, Stahr Brown and Rebecca Barry bring a new vigor and energy to the hotel. But they all agree that the motivating force is new general manager Jahayra Santiago who took over the reins in April of this year and brings with her a creative, fresh approach. Santiago was previously general manager at the Clarion Manchester Hotel - Business District and at the Courtyard by Marriott - Boston/Waltham. She also served as director of operations - Multi-Unit Properties at the Park Lodge Hotel Group.

Together, this dynamic team of women are poised to take the Marlborough Holiday Inn to new heights.

See Holiday Inn website photo album