The hotel's guestrooms are decorated with
custom-made
furnishings, original artwork, hardwood accents and marble
tubs and walk-in showers in the bathrooms, as above.
Charlotte
The new resort hotel at
Ballantyne adds a touch of class to the Queen City
By Bill F. Hensley
There’s
a new kid on the block in the resort industry, so Pinehurst, Asheville
and Greensboro need to move over and make room for Charlotte’s first
venture into the world of posh living, golf, meetings and conventions.
The elegant new Ballantyne Resort Hotel, developed and owned by H.C.
(Smoky) Bissell, is a 216-room hotel on the city’s southside that
joins a complex that includes an award-winning golf course, the Dana
Rader Golf School, two motels and a 35-room executive lodge.
“The hotel is a showplace,” Steve Brooks says proudly. A veteran
hotelier, Brooks is general manager of the facility that opened this
month after nearly two years of construction. “We offer guests a
variety of deluxe amenities, and we are especially proud of the high
standards we have set.”
In addition to the Ballantyne Resort Hotel, the Bissell Companies also
own the top-rated Park Hotel in SouthPark as well as the 90-room
Courtyard by Marriott and the 118-room Staybridge Suites Hotel, both
in the Ballantyne area adjacent to the new hotel. A prestigious
35-room executive lodge is under construction nearby and will be a
vital part of resort facilities.
“With nearly 500 rooms at our disposal, we can easily handle large
groups as well as small ones,” Brooks points out. “Our goal is to
be a superb destination . . . the finest available.”
The stately hotel overlooks the 18th fairway of the golf course that
was named “Best New Course of the Year” by this publication in
1999. The hotel adjoins the course’s spacious 30,000-square-foot
clubhouse that contains a large golf shop, lounge, restaurant, locker
rooms and meeting rooms.
“The Ballantyne Resort is a fine addition to our state’s travel
and meeting facilities,” offers Melvin Tennant, chairman of the
city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It is off to a great start
and is a source of pride for guests and Charlotte citizens as well.”
From a distance, the impressive seven-story tower stands tall over a
diverse neighborhood and business complex. At the entrance, an
attractive stone water fountain, surrounded by colorful rows of
flowers, appears opposite a stately porte-cochere entrance that exudes
sophistication. High above, a cupola and a copper roof augment the
hotel’s striking stucco finish.
Inside, the graciously designed and decorated lobby is filled with
antiques, massive bouquets of fresh flowers, large picture windows and
provides a variety of comfortable seating. A limestone fireplace and a
convenient lobby bar highlight the tasteful surroundings and the front
desk check-in area.
The lobby is a beehive of activity as guests come and go, relax, talk
business and network with associates. Its wide halls lead to terraces
that offer scenic vistas of the golf course and to restaurants, shops,
meeting rooms and guest rooms.
The 216 guest rooms include 20 large suites, many with balconies and
golf course views. Rooms are exquisitely decorated with custom-made
furnishings, original artwork, hardwood accents and marble baths with
tubs and walk-in showers.
“We want to pamper our guests,” Brooks says, “and back that up
with attentive service and hospitality, outstanding food and other
fine resort amenities.” Each room is equipped with state-of-the-art
communications technology and Internet access.
There are 18 meeting rooms on two levels in addition to a
6,500-square-foot ballroom that can seat up to 500 persons.
“Our meeting facilities are second to none,” says Scott Russell,
director of sales. “Group reservations are far above early
projections, despite the recent downturn in the economy, and business
is very good. The future looks very busy.”
Hotel amenities include two continuous wave pools, a fitness center
and a whirlpool. A full-service spa will be added soon.
“We will offer every deluxe feature that fine resorts everywhere
provide discerning guests,” Brooks adds. “Since we are now
competing with the best resorts in the nation, we have to be
outstanding.”
Opened three years ago, the Ballantyne Resort golf course has been a
major player in the city’s recreational activities. The picturesque,
rolling par-71 layout was designed with a flavor of the great Donald
Ross and has hosted nearly 30,000 rounds each year. It is a popular
choice for conference outings and clinics.
With golf and a variety of other activities an integral part of the
resort, and a wide assortment of shopping and dining nearby, guests
won’t have to wander far to find pleasure and contentment in this
spectacular setting.
For further information, call 704-248-4000.
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