New Hotel Marks Third John Q. Hammons Property in Kansas City Area
KANSAS CITY, Mo., and SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Nov. 9, 2007 – John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts this week announced the soft opening of the four-story, 152-suite Residence Inn® by Marriott® Kansas City International Airport (www.marriott.com/mciar) in Missouri. The all-suite, contemporary hotel is owned by Mr. John Q. Hammons and managed by Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, the nation’s leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale, full-service hotels, resorts and suites (www.jqhhotels.com).
The hotel staff marked opening day with a celebratory luncheon and other festivities to culminate their months of hard work leading up to the hotel’s opening. The first guest at the new Residence Inn by Marriot Kansas City International Airport was treated to a special gift to commemorate being the inaugural visitor. Formal grand opening activities, including a luncheon for local dignitaries, staff and guests, are expected to take place in early 2008.
“We’re so excited to open our doors and bring our brand of unsurpassed quality and excellent service to the business and leisure travelers visiting the Kansas City area,” said Rick Knowles, general manager of the hotel.
Conveniently located east of Interstate 29 and north of Highway 152, just north of the Tiffany Springs Parkway exit, the hotel is less than three miles from the Kansas City International Airport. The hotel is situated within 25 miles of a range of entertainment options, including outdoor recreation areas for snow-skiing, water-skiing, fly-fishing and three golf courses, as well as the Kansas City Zoo and Worlds of Fun amusement park.
“The Kansas City market continues to show strong performance, and we believe our new Residence Inn will meet the growing demand for another upscale, all-suite John Q Hammons extended-stay property in the market,” said Mr. John Q. Hammons, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts. “As a major travel hub and a destination site all on its own, Kansas City offers visitors a rich atmosphere for business or leisure, and our new hotel will deliver an exceptional guest experience as the ideal complement to a visit to Kansas City.”
The Residence Inn by Marriott Kansas City International Airport is the 13th hotel managed by John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts in Missouri. The company also owns and operates two additional hotels in Kansas City, Mo. – the Embassy Suites Kansas City International Airport and the Homewood Suites Kansas City International Airport.
About the Hotel’s GM and Staff
A seven-year veteran of the John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts portfolio, general manager Rick Knowles joins the new property from the Homewood Suites Kansas City International Airport. Knowles brings more than 30 years’ experience in the service industry, with a focus on extended stay properties for the past 16 years. Beverly Slocombe, the new sales manager with 27 years’ experience in hospitality, also comes from the Homewood Suites Hotel. She had served in various service, sales and catering positions at that hotel since joining the John Q. Hammons team 10 years ago. Combined, the core staff has more than 80 years’ experience in the hospitality industry.
Area Information
Situated news the geographic and population centers of the nation, Kansas City is located in the “Heart of America.” The metro area straddles the Missouri – Kansas state line and includes more than 136 cities and 11 counties. Kansas City is the hometown headquarters of Hallmark Cards, Russell Stover Candies, H&R Block and numerous other businesses. Both Harley Davidson and Ford have major plants in the city, ranking Kansas City as one of the top vehicle assembly cities in the nation. Kansas City’s striking landscape includes beautiful parks and fantastic architecture, while the city can entertain visitors with major sporting events, world-class museums, a vibrant arts scene, superb shopping and great jazz and blues clubs.
To Make a Reservation
To book a reservation, please call (861) 741-2300 or visit www.marriott.com/mciar. The Residence Inn by Marriott Kansas City Interntaional Airport also can be booked under the following GDS codes: Amadeus MCIARR, Apollo/Galileo 23994, Sabre 05195, Worldspan MCIAR.
About Residence Inn® by Marriott®
The Residence Inn by Marriot Kansas City International Airport features a variety of amenities for both business and leisure travelers. Guests have state-of-the-art lodging options ranging from studio suites to a family-sized two bedroom suite – all of which are equipped with elements of the brand’s “Innfusion décor.” The rooms feature distinctive zones for cooking, dining, working, relaxing and sleeping to ensure maximum comfort and convenience for extended-stay guests. All rooms are equipped with a multi-functional living area with 27-inch flat-screen LCD television, a recliner with an ottoman, and a sleeper sofa. Each also has a modernized kitchen that includes a stainless steel refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave, along with granite countertops and a full sink, cooktop, and four-person place setting of dishes. Wireless and wired high-speed internet access is available in all suites at no cost. Additionally, guests will be treated to a complimentary newspaper every morning and can enjoy a daily complimentary hot buffet breakfast each day and an evening social on most weeknights. Guests also have access to a laundry facility, indoor pool and whirlpool, sundeck, tennis courts, cardio fitness center and a fully-outfitted business library.
About John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts
Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts is the nation’s leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale, full-service hotels, resorts and suites, including: Embassy Suites Hotels, Renaissance, Marriott, Radisson, Residence Inn, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Holiday Inn and Courtyard by Marriott brands. With 75 hotels strategically located near demand generators, such as state capitals, universities, airports, corporate headquarters or office parks in secondary and tertiary markets, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts’ properties are dominant in their markets. Over the course of his impressive career in the hotel business, Mr. Hammons has developed 191 hotels. For more information about John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, please visit the company’s Web site atwww.jqhhotels.com.
