Save the date of April 4, 2012 for the grand opening of one of the most respected hotel brands among the Starwood Properties. The national chain took what used to be a longtime, formerly beloved (other chain) hotel property in disrepair and breathed new life. The property rechristened as the Four Points by Sheraton College Station hotel stirs more excitement than just another hotel going up in Aggieland.
The property is located literally within walking distance of the east side of Texas A&M’s campus, a coveted location.
General manager, Martin Reiger notes, ‘The Four Points by Sheraton College Station hotel features 126 rooms and their own restaurant, the Century Café, after the Century Oak Tree on Texas A&M’s campus.’ What’s even better is that the public can enjoy substantive meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner at affordable prices. Hotel dining was, especially in the 1970s, considered fine dining here for many Aggies on a budget.
With an eye on the budget, the Four Points Sheraton has wisely priced their breakfast and dinner at $2.95 per person if you’re staying there, and only $5.95 for their buffet if you live in town and just want to have someone else cook you a good meal.
We’re not just talking fruit loops and bananas either. Says Reiger, ‘it’s $5.95 for the public to come in and enjoy an omelet, french toast, sampler, whatever. Starwood insists on real eggs, high quality, whether in the restaurant or in in-room dining.
Word will get around pretty quickly that the property also has a 24 hour fitness center—treadmill, free weights, elliptical walker, cycles, and all the medicine balls that you would find at any home gym, which is a sought-after commodity for travelers who want to stay fit on the road. A nice ‘typical Sheraton’ touch is they offer disposable earphones to iPods for guests for their workout. Oh, and they have flat screen TVs in the workout room, as if you don’t already have enough incentive.
Having a meeting? Reiger says you have to see the property for yourself to fully grasp just how dynamic the changes are. ‘There are two meeting spaces, 780 square feet that are available to rent.’
Of all the rooms on the property, they do offer six deluxe rooms and security is much improved for the single traveler. Reiger says: ‘The hotel built a second elevator in the back and all of the doors are RFID keys, for added security for our guests, including
More than 30 security cameras’ for peace of mind.
It’s definitely a Starwood preferred property, with simple but important touches such as glass floor to ceiling showers. Says Reiger of the newly reborn hotel site, ‘Aggie groups are finding a convenient and luxurious destination when they come to town for meetings. “
Everyone talks about how great our staff is, how much they care and go way above everyone’s expectations.’
Reiger is seasoned as a property manager, having been a part of making the Lake Austin Spa a destination resort in his former homeotwn. ‘Our goal for the property is to give the Starwood Preferred Members (loyalty program) a place in College Station to stay and to get back the loyalty of those individuals who used to stay at this site back in the day. This is the ideal location that everyone used to love. It is exciting to see everyone calling and so glad we’re here to stay.’
‘We want to be part of the community and to be able to sponsor corporate events whenever possible. We are now members of the BCS Chamber of Commerce and are pleased to support the American Heart Association and National Heart Month,’ says Reiger
If you have a group of 4, 6, 8 or even 30 and plan ahead to dine together, they’ll set up restaurant tables to handle your own table of 4 or 30 with advance reservations, 6, 8, larger tables. This is good news to groups the size of Sunday School classes who are tired of going to the same old places. To reserve a group of tables, visit website (info@fourpointscollegestation.com), submit your request, and they’ll reply quickly.
Evening meals range average $6.95 where you’re used to paying $10-12 before. There is no steak on the menu, but good assortments of reasonably priced food. If you’re just on your way home after work, it’s also a destination, their happy hour is actually 3 hours, Monday through Friday, 5 to 8 pm, and their well drinks are Bacardi and Skoal, withi appetizers half-price, making socials after work a very happy Hour...
Reiger hails from the ‘other’ school down the road but a quick look at his Aggie 12th Man Rewards card easily shows 30-36 stamps, so while he may have been from ‘there,’ he’s now one of those who bleed maroon. His favorite sport is basketball and 2012 marks the year for him to see his ninth and what will be final Big 12 Basketball tournaments before A&M moves to the SEC.
At last, the community can breathe a sigh of relief that they no longer have to drive by on Texas Avenue and see a building that time left behind. Instead, you can welcome a new friend to Aggieland, the Four Points by Sheraton. From the looks of things, they’re here to stay for a long time. And with the level of philanthropy they’ve planned to invest here, they’ll make a great community partner, which benefits the entire community. Martin Reiger invites the public to drop by and check out the new hotel. ‘You will be glad you did,’ he says.
Remember: : Four Points By Sheraton Restaurant Hours: Weekdays 6 to 10 am; Weekend buffet: 7 to 11 am Non-hotel guests: $5.95 buffet
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