Towne Place Suites, Oxford's Newest Hotel, Complements Conference Center

Note from Steve Vassallo, HottyToddy.com contributor: Chan Patel and his family have scored again! The crown jewel of their hotel group in Oxford is now open thanks to Charter Road Hospitality, Inc., in which Chan serves as Director of Operations. HottyToddy.com spoke to Chan and Hollis Green, Director of the Conference Center, which is directly across from the new Towne Place Suites operated by Patel’s group. The new extended stay hotel, right next to the Hampton Inn, makes the Conference Center even more viable as destination site for meetings and events. HottyToddy.com spoke to both gentlemen.

HottyToddy.com — Chan, now that Towne Place Suites (by Marriott Hotel) is open and running at 105 Ed Perry Blvd. in Oxford, tell us what makes it unique.
Chan Patel — To begin with there are 95 suites which are geared to extended stay. However, we certainly will rent these rooms for 1-2 nights when needed. The suites showcase a kitchen which includes a full-size refrigerator. There is also a dishwasher and a dining table that seats four. The oven and microwave (with all cooking utensils provided) allow our guests the ability to cook a complete meal.
HottyToddy.com — Your description sounds very similar a Residence Inn?
Chan Patel/Hollis Green — You could say this is the “baby brother” to the Residence Inn and is very comparable. Also, the Homewood Suites chain is similar in many respects as to the amenities.
HottyToddy.com — Now that the Ole Miss-Memphis game has been decided to contest at night, would this new flagship property be available for fans desiring to stay over as fans will not exit the Grove until after 11 p.m.?
Chan Patel — Absolutely! The extra amenities such as the lobby bar will only enhance the enjoyment for staying here. This is the first property with a bar franchise wise! This is a great place “to hang” after and prior to the games as we offer three large screen televisions in a relaxing setting. As of now, we have quite a few rooms available for September 26-28.
HottyToddy.com — Let’s talk for a minute about the exciting exterior features for Towne Place Suites.

Chan Patel — There is an extra large patio area that highlights a “fire pit” and several grills for outdoor cooking.
Hollis Green — With our climate this area can be utilized nine months of the year and some years even more so during milder winters which we frequently have in Oxford.
HottyToddy.com — The way you designed the fitness room makes it easy for families to enjoy and keep track of the kids.
Chan Patel — With the large window looking into the inside pool area, parents can enjoy a comprehensive workout while at the same time keeping an eye on the youngsters swimming in the pool (which is heated). The added hot tub also provides yet another amenity that is a bonus feature for both overnight and extended stay guests.
HottyToddy.com — This property does not resemble a “plain vanilla” offering in any respect.
Chan Patel — It was truly a custom design. We took Marriott’s minimum requirements and upscaled these significantly.
HottyToddy.com — Shifting gears to the Oxford Conference Center (directly across the street), Hollis please tell our readers why this new property complements what you and your staff are doing.
Hollis Green — Our primary clients “frown” on a conference center that does not have a hotel property on site. The conference center is owned by the City of Oxford and has been in operation now for ten years. The first seven years we were basically an island until the Hampton Inn opened its doors. This year (2014) has been our strongest year ever. Event and meeting planners seek out destination cities which can provide all of their necessary requirements. We are pursuing conferences between 400 and 500 attendees. Now that we have both a Hilton and Marriott property at our doorstep, our marketing appeal just increased significantly.
HottyToddy.com — Is it my imagination or is it factual that your two enterprises seem to work hand in hand?
Hollis Green — We work as a partnership all the time! Towne Place Suites increases the number of direct access rooms to the conference center to 200. Because event and meeting planners schedule events 18-24 months out, a partnership as we have is critical.
HottyToddy.com — What are some of the types of conferences you are pursuing?
Hollis Green — There is a wide range. We host government events such as the MS Dept. of Education; private sector organizations such as the MS Police (and Fire Chief) Assns.; and numerous corporate events involving companies such as Winchester, Caterpillar and GE (Batesville). The university remains our largest client.
HottyToddy.com — Describe a typical conference.
Hollis Green —The vast majority are 2-3 days primarily running Tuesday through Thursday.
HottyToddy.com — Chan, returning to the availability for the Memphis weekend, it appears on the surface that Towne Place Suites also provides out-of-town-visitors an added incentive to stay over on Sunday night to enjoy Oxford and the Square after “the rush.”

Chan Patel — For those guests not having to return home on Sunday, this is definitely an option especially since the restaurants are staying open on Sunday. (For many years Rosie and I returned to Madison on Monday mornings because we wanted to “squeeze” that extra night into this wonderful community!)
Final Note: These two gentlemen exemplify what public-private partnerships are all about. Here are two professionals who fully understand the meaning of success and how best to maximize opportunities when egos are set aside. These guys are easy to work with and provide more reasons to meet, stay and enjoy Mississippi’s flagship city!
Enjoy these additional images of the beautiful new hotel.









 
Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. In addition, he is a certified economic and community developer and currently, a highly successful leader in the real estate business with Premier Properties of Oxford. Steve’s lifelong dream has been to live in Oxford full-time. “I am now living my dream daily as is my wife Rosie, who works with the Oxford Chamber of Commerce,” Steve said. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.