Courtyard by Marriott hotel opens in downtown Fort Wayne

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Hotel managers and city leaders cut the ribbon for the new Courtyard by Marriott hotel Wednesday afternoon. After 14 months of construction, the hotel is officially open.

"The enthusiasm and energy level is high," Andy Crowel, general manager of the hotel, said. "We can't wait to begin serving the public."

There are 75 room reservations for opening night, which Crowel said is good for a first-night number.

"We love it. We'd love to have more, but the ones we have, we are absolutely thrilled to be serving," Crowel said. "We know with a product like this, it's very new and very refreshing and the more people who try it, the more they'll want to come back. To have this kind of start, we're just thrilled."

The hotel was originally delayed because developers had trouble getting financing. But, once construction started in June 2009, it moved quickly. The hotel opened three weeks ahead of schedule.

The hotel has 250 guestrooms, each with a 37-inch flat screen TV, free wireless Internet and microwave/refrigerators. There is an indoor pool, fitness room and outside social patio area with seating and fire pits. The patio area can also be rented out for private parties.

In the lobby, there is also free wireless Internet and several Media Pods, where people can sit with a small flat screen TV. The Courtyard Bistro serves breakfast and Starbucks coffee is available 24 hours a day.

The design of this Courtyard is the first of its kind in Indiana.

"There's a lot of new touches and new technology and it's really designed for the optimistic achiever," Crowel.

People can make reservations by calling the hotel directly at (260) 490-3629 or click here . Rooms range from starting at $89 to $109 depending on the night.