Lincolnshire Marriott looks for 'wow' factor with $22M makeover
The new owners of the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort plan a $22 million makeover that will start later this year, modernizing the town's largest attraction.
Mount Prospect-based Bricton Group and other investors will remodel all 389 guest rooms, banquet facilities, the entrance way, the hotel's King's Wharf restaurant and other amenities, said Bricton President Edward Doherty, an Arlington Heights resident.
"We're going to make it more modern, but still maintain its coziness and comfort as a resort," Doherty said.
Bricton is partnering with Chicago-based Gettys Group for the hotel design and audiovisual company, AVT, to improve technology access for conference and business rooms, he added.
Guest rooms are expected to be updated with new color schemes and walk-in showers instead of bathtubs, similar to many other Marriotts in the chain, he said.
"We're looking for the 'wow' factor," Doherty said.
Bricton led a group of investors to buy the resort last year for about $20.7 million from Chicago-based Strategic Hotels and Resorts. Bricton also owns the Marriott in Naperville, the Hotel Felix and the Holiday Inn Express Mag Mile, both in Chicago, as well as the Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa in Galena.
Lincolnshire Mayor Elizabeth Brandt called the purchase and pending renovation "a big deal" for the village. The Marriott Resort is Lincolnshire's largest sales-tax contributor, the largest hotel in the village, and one of the biggest employers.
"The renovation will make the resort even stronger," Brandt said. "We're 110-percent behind it and we look forward to working with them."
The only downside for Brandt is the departure of the resort's general manager, Kristin Duncan.
The new owners are bringing a new management team, Brandt said.
• Daily Herald Staff Writer Russell Lissau contributed to this report.