Manitowoc’s first hotel in over two decades is ready to welcome guests.
A ribbon cutting was held yesterday (January 28th) at the Hampton Inn by Hilton with Odyssey Hotels, the company that broke ground on the new hotel last year.
Mayor Justin Nickels told those gathered that the hotel is great to see built because it shows a sign of growth in tourism and economic development.
He then thanked Odyssey Hotels CEO Rachit Dhingra for investing in the Clipper City.
Dhingra said the area became very appealing to them when they found out there were no Hampton Hotels in the area.
“That kind of let us into talking to Hilton,” he revealed. “They got convinced, then we talked to Marriott, they got convinced, and then Justin (Nickels) came in to the rescue with some assistance on the tax side, so that helps. It all got put together. So, we’re very excited to have the first Hilton in the Maritime Capitol of Wisconsin.”
Vice President of Operations Andi Wilbee also explained what their partners were looking for in a new hotel.
“They look for easy access on and off the freeway,” she explained. “And access to amenities, such as your shopping, restaurants. And this being right next to AMC and the shopping district for Manitowoc, (it) just seemed like a perfect fit for two hotels.”
That second hotel she mentioned will be a Marriott Hotel that will be built toward the end of the decade and could be ready by 2030, but for now, the Hampton Inn on 44th Street offers 84 total rooms, a meeting space, a boardroom, as well as a pool and fitness center.
Although the ribbon was cut yesterday, Hampton officially opened on December 3rd.
