By By Adam Prestridge
If the comedic commercials do not draw customers to stay at Atmore’s newly opened Holiday Inn Express at Interstate 65, its inviting design will.
Travelers are slowly beginning to take Exit 57 to check-in to the 80-room hotel, which opened its doors at noon last Friday in Rivercane.
Morgan explained that Atmore’s listing on Holiday Inn’s corporate Web site www.hiexpress.com was delayed due to the holiday weekend, but now that it has been updated more customers are beginning to reserve rooms.
Morgan said several Holiday Inn Express “regulars” are beginning to hear word of the new hotel.
“There are a lot of people that are true to the brand,” Morgan said. “They like the Priority Club points they can collect for hotel stays or airlines miles, the continental breakfast and all of the amenities.”
Amenities include free continental breakfast, wireless Internet access, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a conference room and a Suite Shop, which offers customers snacks such as soft drinks, candy bars, ice cream and microwavable sandwiches and some household necessities such as over-the-counter medications. All rooms are also equipped with irons and ironing boards, hairdryers, refrigerators and microwaves.
Owner John Tampa, Southeast Regional Director for Everest Hotels, said he was pleased work on the hotel was complete and the go-ahead was given to open the doors.
“Everything went well,” he said. “We appreciate the support from the city.”
Morgan credited her employees’ hard work and dedication preparing the hotel for the decision to begin booking rooms.
The hotel offers rooms with one king-size bed or two queen beds. Some rooms also include sleeper sofas.
Despite some glitches, Morgan said she is pleased with the first four days of business and expects even more once signage installation is complete.
Tampa said a 50-foot sign has been ordered and will be installed soon.
As for Rivercane, Tampa said he is pleased to be the first business to open and believes there will be many more to come.
Currently, Morgan said there are 15 employees on staff at the Holiday Inn Express, ranging from desk clerks to housekeepers.
Tampa said that a grand opening event would be held in late May, but no firm date had been set.