Business News

Hilton changing flag to Doubletree

by Leslie Turk

West Pinhook Road property purchased for $30.5 million in late April.

The Hilton Lafayette, purchased in late April by an out-of-state partnership, is set to undergo a multi-million-dollar renovation and become a Doubletree by Hilton.

Photo by Robin May

Hilton GM Jimmy Thackston will remain in place as GM for Doubletree

The 415,000-square-foot property was bought as a joint venture between New York-based Garrison Investment Group and Wright Investment Properties Inc. of Memphis, according to management at the local hotel, and will continue to operate as a full-service facility. The sale was recorded in the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court's office May 1, with Harte IHR Lafayette LP selling the 6.4-acre site along the banks of the Vermilion River to Lafayette Hotel PROPCO LLC for $30.5 million.

Hospitality Management Advisors Inc., a Memphis-based hotel management company that is an affiliate of Wright Investment Properties, will operate the Doubletree hotel.

"Becoming part of the DoubleTree by Hilton portfolio is a great move for us," Hilton General Manager Jimmy Thackston said in a prepared release. "We're proud to represent the brand's unique, welcoming approach. Our area is known for hospitality and what better way to welcome a guest than with a warm chocolate chip cookie [a Doubletree marketing tool]. With the improvements planned, we're excited to give our guests an even more incredible experience in Lafayette."

The renovation is expected to begin in June and be complete by the end of the year. Renovations will include painting of the exterior, a complete overhaul of the lobby, a new restaurant and lounge concept and new furnishings throughout the property.

New bedding, wall coverings and window treatments will update the guest rooms.

The hotel's 22,000 square feet of function space will also be remodeled in hopes of attracting more meetings and conferences to the city and repositioning the hotel as an attractive conference destination, noted Director of Sales Jennifer Korner.

Both Thackston and Korner have been offered to remain on in their current jobs, and both have accepted.