Palmer, Marriott Partner on SpringHill Suites

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Golf icon Arnold Palmer and hospitality industry icon Bill Marriott celebrated the opening of the SpringHill Suites Pittsburgh Latrobe hotel last week in Palmer's hometown of Latrobe, Pa.

Located at 115 Arnold Palmer Drive, the 109-room, all-suite, LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) hotel is a joint venture between Palmer Hospitality, L.P., Concord Hospitality Enterprises, one of the nation's top-ranked hotel developer/owner/operators, and private investor Keith H. McGraw of Sewickley, Pa. Concord Hospitality developed and will operate the hotel.

Palmer's latest business venture offers the distinction of being the only hotel to offer guests an exclusive opportunity to play at Palmer's Latrobe Country Club, a members-only golf club less than a mile from the hotel, where Palmer learned to play.  SpringHill Suites Pittsburgh Latrobe is the latest of many economic and civic contributions that Palmer has made to the community where he was born and has spent much of his life. 

"For years, I've wanted to build a hotel to complement the country club, and because this is my hometown, it was important to me that I partner with the right developer and the right operator and choose the right brand," Palmer said.  "I found all of that with Marriott's SpringHill Suites brand and Concord Hospitality.  We all share the same philosophy and outlook in terms of guest care, attention to detail and community involvement."

A devoted philanthropist, Palmer's local endeavors include The University Pittsburgh Medical Center's Arnold Palmer Pavilion and the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, a community park dedicated to his late wife. 

"I understand and appreciate Arnie's dedication and deep connection to this area," Marriott said. It is an honor for us to be a part of this special destination. Concord is a great owner and operator of many of our Marriott branded hotels.  I am proud to be a member of this great threesome."

Palmer's involvement with the hotel is evident the minute guests walk through the door. At the front desk, they are greeted by a mural of a brilliant green golf tee with an autographed, giant ball.  The lobby itself is a showcase of Palmer memorabilia, including quotes and letters spanning his storied career, a replica of his Masters trophy, and a glass-top table embedded with bag tags from courses and tournaments around the world.  The golf theme is carried out on each floor's elevator lobby where floor to ceiling murals, featuring a montage of the world's most famous courses, are depicted.  In the bar, guests can enjoy viewing Palmer's commemorative golf bag from the 1960 U.S. Open Championship and several pair of golf shoes. 

"The mid-priced, all-suite hotel concept is ideal for this market," said Callette Nielsen, vice president and global brand manager, SpringHill Suites.  "Our spacious suites with separate areas for sleeping, working and relaxing are well-suited for golfers and other leisure guests, as well as for business travelers visiting the area." 

The hotel's board room features handsomely framed photos and letters from U.S. Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, reflecting Palmer's prominence in American culture over the decades.
 
"For golfers, the Latrobe Country Club is a bucket-list destination, and to work with Arnold Palmer on this uniquely personal hotel endeavor is indeed a career highlight for me and a significant milestone for Concord," said Mark Laport, president of Concord Hospitality. 

The smoke-free SpringHill Suites Latrobe is conveniently located for guests attending Latrobe Country Club events, as well as visitors to Pittsburgh Steelers training camp, St. Vincent College, Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, Frank Lloyd-Wright's Fallingwater, Idlewild and SoakZone amusement parks, historic Ligonier and the year-round activities in the Laurel Highland Mountains.  It is one of 300 SpringHill locations in the U.S. and Canada.
 Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company now manages or has under construction more than 80 hotels, offering more than 11,000 guest rooms in 25 states and two Canadian provinces.