The Crowne Plaza - A Sparkling Jewel in Glen Ellyn...

If I were to tell you that a marvelous evening could be had simply by spending a night in Glen Ellyn, many might roll their eyes back in their heads and perhaps wonder how this could be possible.  Having done just  that -- spending the night that is --  I can testify that without a doubt, the previous Holiday Inn, now a completely redesigned Crowne Plaza Hotel Glen Ellyn/Lombard, is definitely the place to go.  I had just had the pleasure of attending the grand opening of the hotel in Late October and, dazzled by its attention to detail, its amenities -- more on those later -- and impressive restaurant and menu, I was determined to go back, spend a night and have dinner...  I was not to be disappointed with any aspect of my stay.  

My guess would be that the target market for the hotel is more likely business travelers.  Located just a few blocks from I-355 and a short ride to and from O'Hare, it is loaded with amenities that would appeal to business travelers and corporate meetings: thirteen suites on four floors, complementary high-speed wired and wireless Internet access, a meeting room that will easily accommodate up to fifteen, and a total of 9,400 square feet of meeting space for business functions and special events, with seven meeting rooms, including two ballrooms.  There is also some pretty nifty technology in all of the guest rooms.  One special piece is called RoomLinx: it is Internet-based Business, Media and Entertainment all rolled into one and accessed through the flat-screen televisions in the rooms.  Also available are MP3 docking stations, in-room safes and refrigerators. 

But... don't think for a minute that the Crowne Plaza is just for business travelers!  This is one very comfortable hotel, perfect not only for a night or two romantic getaway destination, but for a family outing as well (And don't forget that there is an outstanding restaurant on the premises too!).  There is a huge swimming pool that is as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional.  It was once an outdoor pool that was put under roof when the hotel was renovated.  Its size is reminiscent of the 1970's and the giant cathedral-like cedar beams now overhead make the experience truly enjoyable.  Immediately adjacent to the pool area is a state-of-the-art fitness center, complete with flat-screen TVs and complimentary ice-cold filtered water from a special machine dispensed into cups made from recycled paper -- one of the many "green" features of the building, where the commitment begins with a 100% smoke free hotel and continues with many sustainable programs including a guest recycling program, and insulated low-E glass windows.  Guestrooms are appointed with a rich blend of nature’s colors and textures, creating the feeling of being at home.  This same comfort is carried to the public spaces, designed and furnished to be the perfect venue for business or social events. 

The Grand Ballroom on the lower level is an excellent example: the area comfortably accommodated several hundred guests at the Grand Opening, featuring a sampler-buffet fit for kings and queens and exquisitely prepared by Executive Chef Daniel Ovanin.  Accompanying Ovanin on the feat, as part of Glen Prairie's opening team, was Chef Chris Turano (Chris is the Executive Chef at Dine Restaurant in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Chicago-Metro).  From weddings to corporate meetings, this hotel has the space and grace to handle any event one could possibly consider.  Most importantly for Lauren and me, the accommodations were superb: very quiet room, comfortable king bed, the Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage program (components include new bedding, guaranteed wake-up calls, designated quiet zones, night lights, drape clips, sleep CDs, sleep tips and amenities such as eye masks, ear plugs and lavender spray...), large, flat-screen TV and more.  And with complimentary shuttle service, attractions like Morton Arboretum, Yorktown Center, Oakbrook Mall, Drury Lane and many professional golf courses nearby, this is truly the perfect venue for families, couples and business travelers alike.

I also had the good fortune to be able to ask a few questions of Mr. David Friedman of F& F Realty who manage the property for InterContinental Hotels Group.  Here are the answers to those questions:

Pancetta: How did you get started in ownership and management of residential and commercial real estate?
Mr. Friedman: I started out over 30 years ago practicing law...  Back in the '70s, we began syndicating investment in multifamily properties and undertook the management as well. We have continued to do so for these past 30 years. About 12 years ago we acquired our first hotel and now operate 7 hotels in the Chicago Area.

Pancetta:  Crowne Plaza was recently recognized by Lodging Hospitality magazine as one of the industry's top growing brands. What is it about the hotel that makes it a destination of choice for travelers?
Mr. Friedman:  Crowne Plaza is most effective at attracting the business traveler. Its focus and marketing platforms revolve around “The Place to Meet”. As many Crowne Plaza Hotels have large amounts of meeting space, many guests may have first stayed at a Crowne through some type of business meeting. A good experience at a meeting will bring a guest back to the Brand on a subsequent stay. The Brand has stringent standards and has the best reservation system in the industry, being part of 1-800 H O L I D A Y.

Pancetta:  What do you think are the most distinguishing features of the property?
Mr. Friedman:  The clean, contemporary look of the exterior and the interior design of the interior distinguish it from most hotels. The interior is extremely modern in design yet soft and warm. Anyone of any age would find it to be a most comfortable environment.
The Hotel boasts great guestrooms and suites with a residential rather than hotel feel, a warm inviting lobby, a Zen-like indoor pool, meeting spaces with the most advanced LED lighting systems which can render lighting in up to 100 different colors, full video walls capable of displaying a host’s proprietary content or custom created content. Most important is a staff that has worked with our company for many years and can deliver the service that has made our hotels award winning.

Pancetta:  What is the best attribute about the hotel's location? As a traveler, what kinds of amenities and/or other things might you be looking for, in terms of things to do, in the surrounding area?
Mr. Friedman:  Our location is excellent being only a few minutes from the two major toll-ways, the East-West (88) and the North-South (355). The area is home to several Fortune 500 and 1000 companies, as well as several major service firms who generate demand for hotel rooms and meeting space. Our product, our location and high tech amenities, i.e. wireless high speed internet, the Roomlinx Entertainment System, business center, state of the art fitness center and beautiful indoor pool would attract any guest to the Hotel. The Area has great restaurants, The Morton Arboretum, Yorktown Center, Oakbrook Mall and college of Du Page are nearby.

Pancetta:  In terms of its “greenness", what are the major contributing factors that sets this hotel apart from others?
Mr. Friedman:  The renovation of this hotel incorporated many energy saving features which have been used in other hotels. Our hotel was certainly the first in our area to incorporate an LED lighting system for meeting rooms and our hotels were some of the first to ask guests to assist in the recycling of trash within the guestrooms. We are the first hotel to eliminate plastic bottles for filtered water, as we provide chilled, filtered water in our vending rooms on each floor of the hotel. Even the 16 oz. cups we supply are of recycled paper.

Pancetta:  The Glen Prairie Restaurant at the hotel has “the intent to respect the environment and promote environmentally sustainable practices” and uses local farm sources for creation of its menu. Why do you think more restaurants haven’t adopted this practice – especially in light of the growing cost of having food products delivered from distant sources?
Mr. Friedman:  I can name one simple reason—It’s hard. We shop carefully at only one purveyor that handles local produce. We visit farmer’s markets twice a week and research availabilities carefully. I could see where not every restaurateur would do this.

Pancetta:  I have seen the menu at the restaurant and am very impressed by the available selections (I have never seen Northern Pike on any other menu… anywhere!). Do you have a favorite entrée… and what is it?
Mr. Friedman:  How did you guess? Northern Pike.
 

 
Ralph Pancetta
reviews@ralphpancetta.com