Make room for new hotels on University in near future

1st Cambria Suites in market; Comfort Suites, Inn planned

A new hotel brand is coming to Huntsville, offering more suites and upscale service.

Local hotelier Vijay Patel, with Eclipse Hospitality, said Tuesday that he has signed a deal with Choice Hotels International to build the first Cambria Suites hotels in Alabama, one of which will be on University Drive.

Patel said a location for the $10 million hotel hasn't been pinned down, but plans are for it to be built "west on University where the growth is, near (Cummings) Research Park and the Target shopping center.''

Eclipse Hospitality said that it will select a site within six weeks and that the hotel should open in fall 2007. Another Cambria Suites is planned for Mobile.

The new hotel will add to a growing number of rooms coming to Huntsville - an Embassy Suites and Westin Hotel are under construction.

Patel said Cambria Suites will feature 100 "oversized rooms'' and a new concept.

"As more Gen-Xers conduct business travel, people are requiring new things, from technology to eating habits, and Cambria offers a lot of that,'' he said. "A lot of places offer a comfortable bed. We're looking at what else we can offer. It will be a little more upgraded with all the comforts of home.''

Room rates have not been determined.

Patel said each suite will have two LCD TVs, along with DVD players, MP3 jacks, upgraded lighting systems and wired and wireless Internet access. The hotel will include a fitness center and a lounge with healthy dining alternatives.

Larger rooms

He said guestrooms will be 25 percent larger than standard hotel rooms.

Patel has lived in the area for 27 years and owned a Comfort Inn for nearly 20 years. He recently sold the Comfort Inn on University.

In addition to Cambria Suites, Eclipse plans to open a Comfort Suites off University soon and said a groundbreaking will be held in a few weeks for a new Comfort Inn next to Hooters, also on University. Patel has owned and operated nearly 15 hotels.

"When you're in a town like Huntsville and see the growth, you know what it's capable of,'' Patel said.

"Huntsville is growing, and Choice knows how to market a property and make it work.''

Launched in 2005

Choice Hotels International launched Cambria Suites in January 2005.

The first Cambria Suites will open in December in Boise, Idaho, according to the company's Web site.

Choice franchises more than 5,200 hotels, representing more than 425,000 rooms, in the U.S. and more than 40 countries and territories. Choice brands include Cambria Suites, Clarion, Quality, Comfort Suites, Comfort Inn, Sleep Inn, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn.