Marriott Lincolnshire renovates 175-acre resort
An interview with Eric Bates, general manager at Marriott Lincolnshire Resort.
Q: Tell us about the venue.
A: Since opening as Marriott's first all-season resort in 1975, Marriott Lincolnshire Resort has played host to thousands of weddings, corporate retreats and galas. Located on 175 tranquil acres, this 390-room resort is the latest Marriott hotel to be transformed through a comprehensive renovation designed to evolve the hotel experience and meet the changing needs of our guests. A key in our reinvention is the introduction of updated public spaces - our Greatroom, M Club Lounge, new restaurants and Next Gen Meeting Spaces - designed to connect and inspire guests, whether they are at work or play.
Q: What's unique about the venue?
A: The resort is home to the award-winning Marriott Theatre which has been bringing live musical shows to the North Shore for more than 40 years. Then there is Crane's Landing golf course, our on-site championship 18 hole course designed by the renowned George Fazio. The resort just opened our Xhale Spa - perfect for a day of pampering and the new Three Embers Restaurant with beautiful views of our on-property lake.
Q: How does the venue cater to corporate meetings?
A: Our new Next Gen Meeting Spaces include flexible and customizable set ups that easily adapt to a variety of formats and group sizes with creative food and beverage, soft seating and state-of-the-art audiovisual. For the meeting planner, our 175 acres afford a multitude of creative locations for meetings, events and breakouts that shake-up the uninspired meeting and help clients deliver their message in a memorable and unique way.
Q: What is there to do in the area?
A: Our location is in the heart of outstanding dining, shopping and entertainment experiences. From the Marriott Theatre right here on property to Six Flags Great America just up the road and movie theaters and world-class shopping just down the street we've got exciting attractions right at our door step. Wander through the quaint shops of historic Long Grove, enjoy an outdoor performance at Ravinia Festival or ride along the peaceful Des Plaines River Trail that runs through the resort.
Q: What are people in your industry talking about?
A: Unique Meetings. Meetings today are about more than just tables and chairs. That's why our team starts with people. We strive to understand their meeting purpose, and deliver not just a meeting but an experience.
An event is only as good as the attendees find it to be. It's this insight of how attendees behave that Marriott Hotels has embraced with their new meeting offering, called Meet@Marriott.
Q: Tell us one interesting fact about the property.
A: The resort has a beautiful on-property lake that serves as the backdrop for one of the most requested event venues in Chicagoland - the Lakeside Pavilion. Our new pavilion replaced the former seasonal pavilion of the same name, but now this stunning space is enveloped in floor to ceiling glass walls which invite the natural scenery and lake views in and offer breathtaking vistas every season of the year.
Chicago Marriott Lincolnshire Resort
Business: Resort, Golf Club, Conference Center and Theatre
Address: 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL 60069
Owner: The Bricton Group
Number of employees: 384
When business opened: April 1, 1975
Web address: <a href="http://chicagomarriottlincolnshire.com/">chicagomarriottlincolnshire.com</a>