Cutting the ribbon are (from left) Chris Bruno, City Councilmember Tom Ross, Catherine Read, Kristin Feenstra, Jerry Cooper (a Marriott owner), Page Johnson and Dawn McGruder.
The Residence Inn by Marriott has been part of the Fairfax City community since May 2011. So when it recently marked its renovation with a special event, City officials were happy to participate.
The festivities included a ribbon cutting in the hotel’s main lobby, followed by food, drinks, live music and a local artist from George Mason University. Residence Inn employees also gave tours of the hotel to show off the new changes.
“We’re here to celebrate this renovation of the Residence Inn, here at the entrance to our City,” said Economic Development Authority (EDA) Commissioner Dawn McGruder. “The Marriott brand provides elevated experiences for visitors. And this Marriott in our Northfax neighborhood is at Fairfax’s front door.”
Just two miles from GMU, the Residence Inn is mainly an extended-stay hotel, but short stays are also welcome. Fairfax Mayor Catherine Read even noted that “It’s a great place to put your family or other visitors” at Christmastime, as well as out-of-town guests who come to the City for weddings, graduations and other events.
“It’s a lovely hotel in this City, and it’s located where we’re doing redevelopment,” she continued. “And Marriott is a brand that people know and can count on. This is a custom Residence Inn, so I’m delighted to have it here in Fairfax.”
In response, General Manager Kristin Feenstra said, “It’s a pleasure to be part of the City and community.” She then thanked Fairfax Economic Development Director Chris Bruno, plus Tara Borway and Matthew Easley with the Economic Development Office, “for their help in figuring out how to promote us.”
One of the Marriott owners, Lou Paladeau, also addressed everyone attending the ceremony. “We feel great about being here and investing in Fairfax,” he said. “And we hope you like the new product.”
Stressing the partnership between the Residence Inn and GMU, Feenstra said student artwork is featured on the hotel walls and that current GMU students and alumni are hired for front-desk and sales positions. In fact, senior Brianna Camp worked on a painting in the lobby during the event.
Feenstra said the Residence Inn is pleased to provide its guests with spacious suites, as well as a place to conduct business meetings while still enjoying the small-town feel of Fairfax City’s shops, parks and restaurants.
“We renovated 155 rooms with new furniture, carpet and wallpaper,” she said. “We redid the lobby and meeting rooms, too, and updated the patio.” A GMU grad, herself, Feenstra added, “I’m a local girl who grew up here and am proud to be general manager of what I consider the best hotel in Fairfax County.”