LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- It was once an upscale hotel in Jeffersontown that fell on hard times.
But a Louisville company has spent millions rebuilding it into a first class luxury hotel.
The new 252-room Marriott East just off Hurstbourne Lane near I-64 was set to open June 21 with about 100 employees.
Although it carries the Marriott name, the hotel is locally owned by the Musselman Hotel Company of Louisville.
It invested $30 million rebuilding what had been the old rundown Park Inn.
"It is a complete overhaul" said Kristopher Thomas, the Director of Food and Beverage. "About a year-and-a-half ago the project started, we came in and probably only retained about five percent of the old building."
The old glass atrium is gone, replaced by a contemporary lobby, restaurant and bar.
Bourbon is a theme throughout the hotel. Its restaurant is called Charr'd.
"The name comes from the actual process of charring the bourbon barrels," explained Thomas. "We will carry more than 80 bourbons, at least, and all of our food will be infused or composed with some kind of bourbon component."
Thomas says the hotel has all the amenities of a high-end hotel downtown but in a suburban location.
That includes a large fitness center and an indoor pool. All of its rooms have a metal safe and a mini-refrigerator.
While the hotel will cater to business travelers, one of its first events will be hosting a wedding in the new 8,500 square foot ballroom that was added during the rebuild.
"Our first wedding is this Saturday," Thomas said. "We are very excited about having 250 to 300 people."
Thomas believes the new hotel is bringing first class service back to an area that has not had it in a long time.
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Kristopher Thomas
