LANSING, Mich. — A Courtyard by Marriott hotel is slated to open in downtown Lansing on Feb. 11, the final piece of the Gillespie Group’s BLOCK 600 project.
On the first floor of the hotel, you'll find a restaurant area that will function as a Starbucks in the morning and a fully functioning bar later in the day. There is also a bistro that will serve sandwiches, burgers and wraps.
"We’ll open as a grab-n-go, due to COVID protocols. That will evolve…into open seating…the outdoor seating and bar seating will all be open once protocols allow us to do that,” said Jeff Lawn, general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott. “As things start to open up, we’re going to continue to add to the menu, and the beverage list as well. So things will continue to evolve.”
Though the bar will serve a special Lansing cocktail called the "Midnight Train," inspired by the hotel's proximity to the train tracks and the former Union Depot.
On the other side of the first floor, nearest the front desk, is a community area, along with something called, “the crate," a small market.
“As we move down the hallway, we’ll have our business center right here. Guests will be able to print boarding passes and any quick documents that they need…on their way out the door in the mornings,” Lawn said.
The fitness center on the first floor contains bicycles, free weights, universal machines, treadmills, ellipticals and a small yoga area. Lawn also said there will be a Peloton.
There are two meeting rooms on the second floor.
"Fully open, we can host about 160 to 170 in theater-style, about a 100 people in banquet rounds," Lawn said. "We also have our great window scenes of downtown.”
The hotel has 122 rooms. Each room also has its own individual Keurig, a microwave, a refrigerator and even sound machines for those "used to sleeping with fans on at home, or who are light sleepers," Lawn said.
“I think this is a great hotel to come into downtown Lansing. We’re really a complimentary hotel to everybody. So, it’s great to be partnering with the [Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau] and the convention center on groups they have, adding another hotel downtown allows them to bring in bigger groups as well…”
Lawn encourages the public to come check out the hotel after it opens.
