SOUTH BEND – The Holladay Properties-owned Inn at Saint Mary’s Hotel & Suites has been welcoming visitors to South Bend and the campuses of Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College and Holy Cross College for nearly 20 years. The Inn at Saint Marys updating 65 rooms and adding a Starbucks. Located at the Toll Road entrance to the community, while straddling the campuses of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College, the Inn has long been considered the finest independent hotel in the market. That won’t be changing; but what will be changing is the “Inn-er” beauty of the facility.
The physical changes, including the new Starbucks, will be dramatic. But, before the renovations could even begin, the old furniture had to be removed. Associates of the hotel were given the first chance to take some of the items. Then, the Humanity for Humanity of St. Joseph County ReStore was given the remaining items, including sofa beds, chairs, lamps, office chairs, and miscellaneous bathroom amenities and fixtures.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price with all proceeds used by the Habitat for Humanity Affiliate of St. Joseph County to build homes. Habitat for Humanity was able to raise over $20,000 by selling the items the Inn donated at the Restore site.
“Donations from within our community (residential and commercial), are the key to our success at the ReStore which allows us to generate funds to help families within the St. Joe County community,” said Brian Oletti, Director of ReStore Operation for Habitat for Humanity. “In 2015, we were able to generate over $250K which will be used towards the family we plan to serve in 2016. Our goal for 2016 at the ReStore is to generate over $350K for the families we will serve in 2017.”
After the old furniture was removed, the renovation was able to begin. In December of 2015, the general contractor, Holladay Construction Group, LLC began the $3.2 million renovation of 65 guest rooms. The room remodels include all new bathrooms, an honor tray featuring local food and beverage favorites, as well as a refrigerator/mini bar stocked with craft beers, and other favorites. Each room and suite was designed to the highest quality by Holladay Properties and will offer a modern mix of elements with a variety of textures along with a tonal color palette featuring vibrant accents, creating a user-friendly environment with contemporary comforts.
A café proudly serving Starbucks is scheduled to open in the lobby by the end of February, mirroring a full bar that opened just a year ago. Also, look for contemporary upgrades in the largest hotel fitness center in St. Joseph County and the LeMans meeting room.
The staff’s ability to make a stay at the Inn a unique and memorable experience is being enhanced as well. The seasoned staff has been going thru special training for several months. New uniforms, an enhanced communications system, upgrades to the breakfast area, along with Starbucks coffee, have brought a new look and feel of good quality. The hotel will deliver a first class experience for business, university, and commercial travelers as well as for weekend, family, or social guests.
The Inn at Saint Mary’s is committed to a sustainable program that includes recycling, electric car plug-ins, energy management systems, and environmental integrity. The Inn offers high speed Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and is connected to the Gillespie Conference Center, which has over 10,000 square feet of meeting and ballroom space and can accommodate over 500 dinner guests at a single event. The Gillespie Center has hosted over 500 weddings and several themed social and commercial meetings since its opening.
