CHARLOTTE, NC (March 31, 2021) – UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center officially opens its doors today, March 31, 2021. The $87 million, 173,000-square-foot project is owned by the UNC Charlotte Endowment Fund, financed by the UNC Charlotte Foundation and operated by Sage Hotel Management, a Sage Hospitality Group company. Developed by AMS Hospitality, the hotel features 226 guest rooms and 21,563 square feet of event space.
“This conference center and hotel is a 30-year dream realized for UNC Charlotte and another example of the University’s growth and commitment to playing a significant role in the region’s economy,” says Niles Sorensen, president of the UNC Charlotte Foundation. “The location right at the entrance of our beautiful campus and a short light rail ride from uptown Charlotte is perfect for alumni, families, business travelers, groups and conventions, and visitors who desire the superior accommodations, service and amenities only Marriott can provide.”
Accommodations at UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center offer the elevated experience that Marriott Hotels, the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio’s signature brand, is known for with spaces where guests can foster their inventive nature and get into their best headspace for success. Room features include locally designed and curated artwork, spa-like bathrooms with walk-in showers, upgraded technology, complimentary wi-fi and designated workspaces. Guest room options also consist of five suites, including the Chancellor Suite with sweeping views of the UNC Charlotte campus.
Outside of the rooms, local artwork continues throughout the hotel with original pieces created by students, faculty and alumni of UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture as well as accomplished community artists.
Off the lobby, Golden Owl Tavern serves guests and visitors classics and fresh twists on cuisine from the American South, including a buttermilk po’boy with Carolina comeback sauce, double-smashed patty burgers, wood-fired pizzas, Nashville Hot Chicken deviled eggs and smoked duck wings in a sorghum apple glaze. The 7,000-square-foot restaurant features a lounge, private dining room and an outdoor patio.
The M Club Lounge, an exclusive area reserved for Elite and Club paying members, offers perks such as complimentary food and beverage throughout the day as well as the brand’s signature Mind Menu, a collection of delicious snacks and beverage with active ingredients that will enhance mind and body. Accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the M Club Lounge also provides free wi-fi, printing and power supplies to ensure uninterrupted productivity for business travelers.
Amenities include a fitness center with a Peloton® bike, Life Fitness equipment and a Fitness on Demand™ SOLO single station as well as an outdoor pool with landscaped deck.
For events such as professional conferences, weddings and other special celebrations, UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center showcases 9 event spaces with a 7,200-square-foot Crown Room that can hold as many as 800 people (when at 100 percent capacity) for a stand-up reception. A beautiful 5,800-
square-foot outdoor plaza set against views of the UNC Charlotte campus and Jerry Richardson Stadium provides outdoor event options.
The City of Charlotte invested $8 million toward the completion of the conference center in order to support the large and technologically sophisticated conference space for symposia and events.
“I am excited to celebrate the opening of the UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel and Conference Center,” states Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. “The City Council unanimously supported the city’s investment in this partnership with our research university and we look forward to welcoming regional and national research symposiums and academic conferences to our wonderful city.”
Operations are led by General Manager Mike Nelson. With more than 30 years of hospitality experience, Nelson leads a team of approximately 120 employees (when fully staffed) as they navigate not only opening a new hotel, but opening during a pandemic.
“We are proud to be part of vibrant and long-standing communities. Our relationship with UNC Charlotte, the University City area and Charlotte communities is a major foundation for which the Hotel and Golden Owl Tavern have been developed. Many great organizations came together to give us the opportunity to open this dynamic and inventive hotel and restaurant and we look forward to being a cornerstone to help these areas grow in the future. We are excited to welcome our first guests and to be able to showcase the inspiration behind the design of the Hotel and the Marriott brand, as well as Golden Owl Tavern,” says Nelson.
Joining Nelson is John Panko as the Director of Sales & Marketing. With 29 years of experience, Panko works with the team to create awareness and drive overall sales for the hotel and its event spaces.
Situated on approximately four-acres near the PORTAL Building, UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center is located at 9041 Robert D Snyder Road, Charlotte, NC 28262 and offers direct access to the LYNX Blue Line. For more information, call 704-978-8000 or visit Marriott.com.
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About Marriott Hotels
With over 580 hotels and resorts in over 60 countries and territories around the world, Marriott Hotels is evolving travel through every aspect of the guest's stay, helping to relax, clear minds, stimulate new ideas and anticipate travelers’ needs, leaving them inspired to reach their full potential. Boldly transforming itself for mobile and global travelers who blend work and play, Marriott leads the industry with innovations, including the Greatroom lobby and Mobile Guest Services that elevate style & design and technology. To learn more, visit www.MarriottHotels.com. Stay connected to Marriott Hotels on Facebook, @marriott on Twitter and @marriotthotels on Instagram. Marriott Hotels is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.
About Sage Hospitality Group
Founded in 1984, Sage Hospitality Group is a Denver-based hospitality management, investment and development company comprised of four distinct companies: Sage Hotel Management, Sage Restaurant Concepts, Sage Investments and Sage Studio.
● Sage Hotel Management is a passionate group of accomplished industry veterans who have led the way in defining experiential hospitality while maintaining a reputation as best-in-class operators and consistently delivering results. With a diverse portfolio of more than 50 hotels
across the US, Sage Hotel Management is deeply invested in managing independent, soft branded, luxury, lifestyle and upscale hotels from coast to coast.
● Sage Restaurant Concepts, founded in 2005, boasts more than 30 restaurant, bar and coffeeshop locations in 11 states across the country in top cities such as Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia and Portland. Comprised of seasoned restaurateurs and innovators, SRC is committed to consistently crafting exceptional experiences that forge a bond with guests and believes in the power of impacting lives through hospitality.
● Sage Studio gives structure to what Sage has long been known for: creating places people want to go to, not through. Sage Studio is dedicated to creating spaces that fuse creativity and ingenuity to light the way for a new standard in hospitality. From restaurants, to branded hotels, to soft brands and independent properties, Sage Studio creates brands rooted in concise and exciting messaging that allows those businesses to tell their unique story.
● Sage Investments brings a deep understanding of markets and risk to the company, allowing Sage to have a reputation as not only a great operator but also a great and determined investment partner. Whether investing for the short term or long term, Sage Investments strives to achieve outsized returns for its partners by finding and adding value in unique and proprietary ways.
To learn more about Sage Hospitality Group and its companies, visit sagehospitalitygroup.com or follow us on social media:
Instagram Facebook Twitter LinkedIn @SageHospitalityGroup @SageHospitalityGroup @SageHospGroup Sage Hospitality Group @SageRestaurantConcepts @SageRestaurantConcepts @SageRestaurants
@MySageCareer @MySageCareer @MySageCareer
About UNC Charlotte Foundation
The UNC Charlotte Foundation advances UNC Charlotte as North Carolina’s urban research university through active engagement, advocacy, fundraising and stewardship. The Foundation is the primary repository for private gifts to the University and has the responsibility for management and stewardship of the funds to maximize their value and long-term impact on UNC Charlotte.
The UNC Charlotte Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose purpose is to support the educational mission of UNC Charlotte. The UNC Charlotte Foundation is governed by an independent board of directors. Its work centers on engaging the community, soliciting private donations, establishing scholarships, and managing property and other assets to benefit the students, faculty, and staff of UNC Charlotte.
About AMS Hospitality
AMS Hospitality is a partnership between Stormont Hospitality Group and the Allen Morris Company, built on a commitment to quality and integrity, proven through decades of development experience. With a revolutionary model, and commitment to inspire people, AMS Hospitality is a driving force in hospitality development.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Laura Craft
Phase 3 Marketing and Communications
laura.craft@phase3mc.com
704.729.0146 x225
