Thursday, December 7, 2006
The Bridgeport News
By Lynn Vance
NEWS STAFF WRITER
After having been open a little more than two months in the city of Bridgeport at the Charles Pointe development, Microtel Inn and Suites General Manager Gabe Fiest said business is steadily on the increase.
“For a new hotel, people are starting to realize we’re here,” said Fiest. “The West Virginia University football games have helped immensely as have our billboard advertisements and word of mouth. We’ve also have had a lot of extended stay visitors.”
“That’s exactly what Microtel officials wanted to hear Dec. 1 during a grand opening ceremony held at the facility. Mike Muir, senior vice president of franchise development for US Franchise Systems Inc., parent company of the franchiser of the Microtel brand, attended last Friday’s event along with Chris Burdette, regional director of franchise development.
“It’s because of the speed and the commitment Genesis Partners (the developers of Charles Pointe) had made to moving forward,” said Muir. “I’ve been in the development business and hotel franchising for 18 years, and I’ve never seen such a commitment to knowing where they wanted to go and how they were going to get there. It’s been a pleasure working with them.”
Burdette, a native of West Virginia, said it’s been a great opportunity coming back home to help develop the state.
“As a native West Virginian, it was really personal for me to come back and be able to work with our company and develop the state with a good quality product for hard working people with clean, safe hotels,” said Burdette.
Burdette said Microtel also looks forward to their continued relationship with Charles Pointe and CP Hospitality.
“They’re a class act and quality people,” said Burdette. “What they’re doing at Charles Pointe is really going to be a staple for future development in the state of West Virginia, and we’re happy to be a part of it.”
Genesis Partners. Was first approached 18 months ago by Burdette with the idea of building a Microtel at Charles Pointe.
Mike Hager, director of resort and leisure services for Genesis Partners, said the company liked what they saw in Microtel.
“In Microtel and its parent company, we found innovative people who shared the spirit of offering travelers quality and value,” said Hager. “We all felt Microtel’s presence would complement other progress that is going on here at Charles Pointe and our master planned community.”
Local owners Ed and Sara Aman are delighted with the outcome of the facility. She said there was a reason they got involved with the development.
“We just thought the future was at Charles Pointe,” said Sara Aman. “This is the top of the line for Microtel and made a quality facility here. I’m delighted with the outcome and think they did a wonderful job.”
Paula Brunetti, who made the trip from Atlanta for the Saturday West Virginia University football game, was in attendance at the opening. She said she was staying with family, but was so impressed with the facility that she looks to stay at the Microtel at Charles Pointe in the future.
“Right now we’re staying with family, but this is a great value and the quality of the room is incredible,” said Brunetti.
Microtel hotels feature single, double and suite accommodations, with free local and long distance phone calls within the continental United States, and free wireless high speed Internet access, as well as complimentary daily continental breakfast for all guests.
