‘Our goal is to modernize.’ Hotel near SRQ airport rebrands with major upgrades
When it opened in 2009, the $25 million Holiday Inn-Sarasota Bradenton Airport was celebrated for its wow factor, including its six-story-high skylight atrium, indoor pool and bold colors.
This month, hotel officials announced the hotel has been rebranded as a DoubleTree by Hilton Sarasota Bradenton Airport, complete with a multi-million dollar refresh.
Vinayak Properties LLC, owners of the 135-room hotel at 8009 15th St. E., announced the rebranding, effective Thursday, Dec. 21.
“We opened with a big-time bang in 2009, and we’re looking to top that by creating a fresh, new look,” general manager David Alexander said of the rebranding.
The change of brand as a four-star DoubleTree takes the hotel to the next level, he said.
The hotel has remained open throughout its rebranding as all public areas, guestrooms and the exterior are upgraded.
SRQ hotel rebrands as DoubleTree
While the work has been completed in the rooms upstairs, workers are still finishing renovations in the 160-seat Runway Grill restaurant. The Holiday Inn sign is scheduled to be replaced soon with DoubleTree badging.
During the renovations to the restaurant area, dining has been moved to the atrium area, Alexander said.
“We are excited to partner with this iconic hospitality brand to bring a fresh, new lodging option to the area,” Jiten Patel, managing partner of Vinayak Properties LLC, said in a news release of the rebranding.
During the upgrades, all guestrooms were outfitted with digital key locks and received new mattresses and smart TVs.
The fitness center with “state of the art” Peloton and Precor equipment is open 24/7, according to the release.
“Our goal is to modernize and bring something new to the market,” hotel principal Teerth Patel said.
‘A strong asset’ for Bradenton area
The hotel opened in 2009 as the country was emerging from the Great Recession, bringing badly needed jobs to the area.
Martyne Kupciunas, owner of The Design Garden in Merritt Island, told the Bradenton Herald in 2010 that she worked on the interior design of the hotel for three years.
“The whole concept was based on the rich history with the arts that the area has,” she said. “We wanted it to be festive with bright colors to echo those themes.”
“The owner really went to great lengths to do something very different,” Kupciunas said. “We pushed the envelope.”
The hotel has since become a frequent meeting place, hosting gatherings by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization and more.
DoubleTree by Hilton has a global portfolio of more than 660 hotels with more than 150,000 rooms across 54 countries and territories.
DoubleTree welcomes guests with its signature, warm chocolate chip cookies.
“The DoubleTree will be a great addition to our selection of brand hotels and a strong asset for both the Bradenton and Sarasota region,” Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, said in the news release.
What to know
▪ Name: DoubleTree by Hilton Sarasota Bradenton Airport
▪ Address: 8009 15th St. E. Although the mailing address is Sarasota, the hotel is in southern Manatee County on the east side of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport
Check-in: 4 p.m.
Check-out: 11 a.m.
▪ Phone: (941) 355-9000
▪ Online: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/tpasadt-doubletree-sarasota-bradenton-airport/
