Residence Inn by Marriott officially opens its doors
Date: 10/4/2013
By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comCHICOPEE – It took years for the new Residence Inn by Marriott to become a reality and Dennis and Hershel Patel, the father and son team of owners, were congratulated for their perseverance.
The 115-suite motel was officially opened on Oct. 1 and is part of the Chicopee Crossings development on Memorial Drive owned by the Colvest group. In the planning stages are three restaurants – two of which are now open – a bank branch office and an additional; 40,000 square-foot retail building.
The Patel family, which operated BK Investments, also own the Day’s Inn in Chicopee and Hershel Patel said the family first planned the Marriott facility in 2009. The recession, however, stalled the project until last year when ground was broken for it.
Mayor Michael Bissonnette said, “The Patel family has made a commitment to the city of Chicopee. I’m a very grateful mayor.”
Bissonnette pointed out there were a “number of obstacles” to be overcome to make the hotel a reality as well as the rest of the Chicopee Crossings. He said the developers and the city had to work with Northeast Utilities on where to put mew power lines and the state highway officials were lobbied to construct and fund a new intersection of Memorial Drive. That intersection has allowed the development across the street of an Aldi’s market and a Chick-fil-A that is now being constructed.
The Residence Inn is designed to for “extended stay traveler,” according to publicity materials. Each suite will have a fully equipped kitchen with a standard-sized refrigerator. Other amenities include a free hot daily breakfast, fee high-speed Internet, an indoor pool, exercise room and business center.
The only other Residence Inn in Western Massachusetts is in West Springfield.
