NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Officials of Shaner Hotels, an award winning, international hotel owner, operator and developer, today announced the grand opening of its 102-suite Residence Inn by Marriott Norwalk in Conn. The hotel is owned by SoNo Development Partners, a joint venture comprised of Thomas L. Rich of Stamford-based F.D. Rich Company, East Asset Management LLC and Shaner Hotels. The hotel will be operated by Shaner Hotels.
“The Residence Inn by Marriott Norwalk is the newest hotel in the area to cater to longer-term guests who typically stay five-plus nights, bringing with them their own unique needs,” said Plato Ghinos, president, Shaner Hotels. “This marks our 36th Marriott-branded hotel, as well as our second Residence Inn, allowing us unique insights that ultimately will benefit both the guest experience and bottom-line revenue.”
Situated in downtown Norwalk at 45 South Main Street, the eight-story hotel is convenient to local attractions such as the Maritime Aquarium, SoNo Collection regional shopping center featuring Bloomingdales and Nordstrom, Calf Pasture Beach and 700,000 square feet of retail shopping, as well as businesses like FactSet and Norwalk Hospital. Guests may choose from studio and one-bedroom suites. Apartment-inspired suites provide internet televisions, complimentary Wi-Fi, ergonomic workspaces and separate living areas. Each suite also has a fully equipped kitchen with a full-size refrigerator, coffeemaker, microwave oven and residential-sized appliances. Hotel amenities include a grocery delivery service, convenience store, 24/7 fitness center, on-site business center and the Sky Bar SoNo, a seasonal al fresco bar and restaurant with sweeping views of Norwalk Harbor and Long Island Sound. The hotel also provides on-site meeting and conference facilities capable of hosting up to 40 attendees. Additionally, guests may enjoy a daily, complimentary, hot breakfast featuring such favorites as bacon, eggs, Greek yogurt, sliced fruit and waffles. This is the third Marriott-branded hotel developed regionally by the Rich Company, including the Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa and the Courtyard by Marriott Stamford Downtown.
“The development of a this project represents our continued redevelopment of the South Norwalk neighborhood (SoNo) where we own 300,000 square feet of retail, office, restaurant space and multi-family rental apartments both built and under development,” said Thomas L. Rich, president and CEO of the century-old F. D. Rich Company. “We believe that SoNo, given its proximity to transportation, nearby offices, Norwalk Harbor and its marinas, the new mall and it’s plethora of dining choices has a really bright future.”
“We continue to grow throughout the United States and abroad, particularly with well-respected hotel brands such Marriott,” Ghinos added. “The addition of the Residence Inn by Marriott Norwalk adds to our quality portfolio of hotels. We currently have two additional Residence Inns under development in Hyde Park, N.Y., and Tierra Verde, Fla., and look forward to continued growth throughout 2019.”
About Shaner Hotels
Headquartered in State College, Pa., Shaner Hotels is one of the foremost owner-operator companies in the hospitality industry with more than $1 billion invested in 56 hotel properties owned and managed across the U.S., Italy, Greece and the Bahamas. Over the past 40 years, the company also has been engaged in both new development and redevelopment of more than 80 hotel projects with leading brand affiliations such as Marriott International, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels and Choice Hotels. New properties are constantly evaluated as Shaner Hotels continues a conservative yet opportunistic approach to growth. For more information about the company and its divisions visit www.shanercorp.com.
About Residence Inn by Marriott
Residence Inn by Marriott is the global leader in the extended-stay lodging segment, with more than 700 properties located in more than 10 countries and territories. Designed for long stays, the brand offers spacious suites with separate living, working, and sleeping zones. Fully functional kitchens; grocery delivery service; 24-hour markets and complimentary breakfasts help guests maximize their time and thrive while they travel. The RI Mix™ evening events afford guests the opportunity to socialize and connect with the local community. Each Residence Inn offers free Wi-Fi in both public and guest spaces to ensure continuous connectivity while on the road. As a member of the Marriott International portfolio, Residence Inn is proud to participate in the company’s award-winning loyalty programs – Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG). The programs, operating under one set of unparalleled benefits, enable members to earn points toward free hotel stays, achieve Elite status faster than ever, and seamlessly book or redeem points for stays throughout our loyalty portfolio of 29 brands and more than 6,700 participating hotels in 129 countries & territories. To enroll for free or for more information about the programs, visit members.marriott.com. For more information or reservations, visit residenceinn.marriott.com. For travel tips, the latest on the brand or to connect with other travelers, “like” Residence Inn on Facebook and follow @ResidenceInn on Twitter and Instagram.
About F.D. Rich Company
Founded in 1920, F.D. Rich Company is a family-owned and operated construction company specializing in multiple property types. The company has completed such projects as the SoNo Pearl apartment complex, the Bow Tie Majestic Theatre movie house and Bedford Hall residential housing. Additionally, the company currently has numerous projects under development, including URBY Stamford and Harbourside SoNo.
