In this day and age when several Atlantic County/mainland hotels and motels are either going bankrupt, being sold, or completely changing their theme, the ownership of the Residence Inn by Marriott, Atlantic City Airport/Egg Harbor Township, has made the bold decision to completely remodel from top to bottom.
This popular, extended-stay hotel, located at 3022 Fire Road, was built 17 years ago. But competing and maintaining the consumer’s loyalty in this space demands top-notch, state-of-the-art facilities.
Examples of hotels that were not able to stay in the game include the Sheraton Atrium, which was located around the corner from the Marriott. It was transformed into apartments. A motel two doors down from the Sheraton was converted into a medical complex. Another motel was transformed into a drug and alcohol rehab facility. The prior Ramada Inn in West Atlantic City, which has been vacant for several years, is simply deteriorating. Last but not least are the many motels that have been demolished along the Black Horse Pike.
What is the secret for the success of SNN Hotels, the company that not only owns the Marriott, but also Hampton Inn EHT and Holiday Inn Express in West Atlantic City? Service, service and more service, along with cleanliness and great locations.
It has not been easy given COVID, and challenging local market conditions. The casino industry certainly has not made it easy for the mainland motel and hotel market with the advent of online sports betting and online gaming. The gambling market has substantially diminished during the past 10 years, especially for the week-stay and off-season customers. It has forced owners of the mainland hotels and motels to reinvent themselves by offering services over and beyond the competition.
The icing on the cake is the tens of millions of dollars that the most successful casino properties have invested in their operations. The consumers are demanding more and more, while expenses have been rising with the market price for rates struggling to sustain those rising expenses.
The target, extended-stay market for the Residence Inn by Marriott EHT derives from such valuable business partners as Spencer Gifts Corporate, the government, the William J. Hughes Technical Center and the National Aviation Research and Technology Park. It clearly has helped to stabilize their business.
The positive news is that aviation appears to be providing a stable market, with the continued growth at the Aviation Park and the Tech Center itself. County officials realized over 10 years ago that the local economy needed to diversify in order to support the hotels, motels and restaurants to stabilize the economic base beyond the dwindling casino market.
In order to meet the demands and expectations from this sophisticated market sector, SNN Hotels decided it needed to renovate each and every one of the 101 suites from top to bottom. It is not that the product that was being offered was totally inferior, but it was time to make the tough decision to implement a full and complete renovation.
Everything from all of the guest suites to the lobby, breakfast, meeting room, pool, guest laundry area, fitness center and outdoor recreation areas, has been overhauled. I have been told if you are a guest who has previously stayed at the Residence Inn by Marriott, you have to visit again. You simply will not recognize it.
The market is holding steady, but competition is hitting from every angle. The consumer expects top service, quality rooms and state-of-the-art amenities from every aspect during a stay, especially if it is an extended stay. It is just what they will get when they stay at the Residence Inn by Marriott Egg Harbor Township.
Come experience what their new beginning is all about. The public is invited to the grand reopening on Thursday, Aug. 21, from 3 to 5 p.m. RSVP at 609-227-0898.
Rich Baehrle, of Berkshire Hathaway Fox and Roach, can be reached at 609-226-6680 or 609-641-0011. Email richardbaehrle@gmail.com or see www.getrichinrealestateSJ.com
