Graves 601 Hotel in Minneapolis Joins Wyndham Hotels and Resorts

By: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | 0 Shares 103 Reads

January 13, 2010 // Franchising.com // PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and Graves Hospitality Corporation today announced that the 255-room, 21-story Graves 601 Hotel, a luxury, AAA Four Diamond hotel in the heart of Minneapolis, has joined the exclusive Wyndham Grand Collection of hotels.

The Graves 601 Hotel, flagship of Graves Hospitality Corporation, a Minneapolis-based hotel ownership, development and management company, now will be known as Graves 601 Hotel, Wyndham Grand.

The hotel has earned numerous accolades since opening in 2003, including designation as one of the World's Best Business Hotels by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine, selection to the Gold List Reserve of Top Hotels in the World by Condé Nast Traveler and three Gold Key awards from Interior Design and Hospitality Design magazines. The hotel and its Cosmos restaurant each earned multiple Four-Diamond AAA ratings, and are the only hotel-restaurant combination in Minnesota to be so honored.

The Graves 601 Hotel, Wyndham Grand, boasts the largest upscale meeting facilities in downtown Minneapolis with more than 20,000 square feet of function space complemented by 3,500 square feet of prefunction space. Its 5,600-square-foot contemporary ballroom is wrapped in Paldao wood and illuminated by light boxes. The 4,600-square-foot auditorium features stadium seating for 500 and state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment. For private, more intimate meetings, the hotel offers penthouse suites with fixed board tables and dramatic views that are designed to impress.

Cosmos restaurant, located in the heart of the city's theater district, offers signature tasting menus and a wine cellar recognized by Wine Spectator magazine with an Award of Excellence. The hotel's other restaurant, Bradstreet Craftshouse, is known for innovative entrees served in distinct settings including a counter circling the open kitchen, which allows diners to interact with the chefs. Its classic "mixology" cocktails and specialty drinks are formulated with artesian ingredients, hand-pressed juices and house-made bitters. Bradstreet Craftshouse has earned Food and Wine Magazine's, Top 50 Bars and Lounges in the World distinction.

"This spectacular addition to the Wyndham Grand Collection of distinctive hotels firmly establishes our brand in the growing Twin Cities market," said Jeff Wagoner, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts president. "We are proud to be affiliated with Graves Hospitality Corporation, an aggressive, established company that is making its mark in the lodging industry with bold concepts and a commitment to excellence."

Benjamin Graves, Graves Hospitality Corporation president, welcomed the Wyndham Grand Collection designation, which he said "validates our efforts to create the most impressive, sophisticated boutique hotel in Minneapolis by melding high fashion with high technology, original artistic elements and fine cuisine. In a market crowded with common spaces, we are elegantly unusual."

As the hotel already embodies the unique quality and experience standards that are hallmarks of the Wyndham Grand Collection, the Wyndham affiliation will not require on-site changes that would hinder the guest experience, other than exterior signage. Current reservations and booking systems will continue uninterrupted, and all signature and luxurious amenities will remain the same.

"Although there are enormous behind-the-scenes advantages to this partnership from a business perspective, the ownership, management, team, amenities and services will remain the same," said Graves. "We will continue to deliver the same Graves experience our guests expect."

Guest rooms are appointed with backlit photographs inspired by the local culture and glass-etched, handcrafted headboards. In-room technology includes 42-inch, wall-mounted, flat-panel televisions with video music and information on demand, high-speed Internet service and stereo alarm clock radios with compact disc players. Beds feature high-quality, white cotton duvets and crisp linens.

Each room also is equipped with a minibar, refrigerator, safe and bathrobes and slippers. Freestanding shower rooms with rain showers, etched glass wash basins on limestone tables and specially commissioned toiletries and Hermes soap highlight guest bath rooms.

Hotel services include 24-hour room service, concierge and health club; bell staff and porters; business center and secretarial services; pharmacy and physician on call; currency exchange; multilingual staff; and indoor and valet parking. The Graves 601 Hotel, Wyndham Grand is at the center of the vibrant, new Block E entertainment complex – the confluence of Minneapolis' business, theater and entertainment districts – directly across from Target Center, one block from the IDS Tower, and 13 miles from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Guests of the Graves 601 Hotel, Wyndham Grand can take advantage of the brand's guest recognition program when they join Wyndham ByRequest® which offers complimentary benefits including high-speed Internet access, a choice of welcome snack and beverage, preferred pillow type, express check-in, guaranteed late check-out, best available room upon arrival, photocopies, faxes and online receipts.

Members also earn Wyndham Rewards® points, which can be redeemed for complimentary hotel stays, airline tickets, name-brand merchandise and dining and shopping gift cards, among other options. In lieu of points, members may elect to earn airline or rail miles with a variety of partners. Wyndham Rewards is the world's largest lodging loyalty program, based on the more than 6,000 participating hotels.

About Graves Hospitality Corporation:

Graves Hospitality Corporation offers full-scale development and management services to luxury independent and branded upscale hotels and resorts. The company's development skills and comprehensive package of sales, marketing, distribution, human relations and other related services are honed from 30 years of industry success. Recognized as an industry leader, Graves Hospitality Corporation has experience developing and managing more than 90 hotels and is passionate about providing guests, associates and owners with an unparalleled level of service and expertise. Graves Hospitality Corporation is proud that its hotels achieve the highest ratings and are awarded the highest levels of recognition within their respective brands and markets.

Other Graves Hospitality Corporation-member hotels currently are open or under development in St. Cloud, Minn.; Racine, Wis.; La Cross Wis.; Chicago; Manhattan and Brooklyn, N.Y.; Orlando, Fla.; Roatan, Honduras; and Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

About Wyndham Hotels and Resorts:

The Wyndham Grand Collection, an ensemble of distinct hotels within the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts brand, represents one-of-a-kind experiences in key destinations around the world with refined accommodations, exceptional service and surroundings designed to satisfy and delight business and leisure travelers alike.

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, LLC and its affiliates, subsidiaries of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), offer upscale hotel and resort accommodations throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, China and the Caribbean. All Wyndham hotels are either franchised or managed by the company or through a joint-venture partner.

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