The Dow Hotel Company (DHC), a hotel owner/investor and management company, announced the completion of a $16 million renovation of the 304-room Hilton Long Island/Huntington in Melville, N.Y. Owned in a joint venture between DHC and Prudential Real Estate Investors, the hotel is operated by DHC, which also oversaw the enhancement program. The total makeover of the hotel included upgrading hotel rooms, corridors, and public spaces, as well as the addition a new lobby and restaurant, with a new steakhouse planned for a fourth quarter 2012.
“In this recent extended economic downturn, many hotels struggled to maintain brand standards and their competitiveness due to the lack of financing, causing a downward spiral,” said Murray Dow, chief executive officer of The Dow Hotel Company, in an announcement. “As the hotel economy recovers, many of these hotels are being acquired to breathe new life into them. This is creating more jobs and providing hotel guests with a much higher quality hotel experience.”
Dow noted that the hotel was in need of a major make-over when it was acquired in the summer of 2011. “We did an extensive study of the market and found a major need for a quality meeting/convention and social event hotel, as well as one that met the demands of business and leisure travelers in this growing market. We restored the hotel by virtually taking it back to the walls and rebuilding it to ‘like new’ condition. The effect has been dramatic, and we already are seeing a substantial rise in occupancy.”
The renovation included virtually all aspects of the hotel’s interior. The lobby was completely made over and now features a brand new front desk and business center, as well as upgraded high-speed Internet service. All guestrooms, suites, and corridors were enhanced with new hard and soft goods, such as new carpeting, bedding, beds, furniture, and artwork. Additionally, the executive lounge was upgraded to incorporate a private business center, specialty coffee offerings, and a fresh new look.
The full-service hotel features several resort amenities, including both indoor and outdoor pools, fitness center, men’s and women’s saunas and tennis courts. At 26,000 square feet, the hotel offers the most meeting and banquet space on Long Island, and the area’s largest ballroom, a two-story event space with a built-in bar and dance floor. The ballroom and meeting space have been updated with enhanced internet connectivity for meetings and new carpet, wall covering, and lighting. The hotel can serve groups and social events ranging from five to 1,200 people.
“With the completion of the multi-million dollar renovation, the only full-service Hilton on Long Island clearly stands apart as the area’s leading business leisure hotel,” said Ellen Ruane, general manager. “From our new lobby to the completely refurbished guest rooms and all points in-between, guests immediately realize the extent of our commitment to their comfort. Everywhere you look, it is evident that there was a considerable investment of time, effort and capital put into this project.”
