The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Wilmington – University Center — Photo by IHG
The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Wilmington – University Center — Photo by IHG
The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Wilmington – University Center — Photo by IHG

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Wilmington - University Center in North Carolina has recently completed an extensive renovation. The 131-room hotel, located at 160 Van Campen Blvd., revamped its interior and exterior to reflect the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Formula Blue™ design. Owned and operated by Meyer Jabara Hotels (MJH), the re-design encompasses the porte-cochere, main entrance, lobby, front desk, guest bathrooms, meeting spaces (including a ballroom, boardroom and two function rooms), breakfast area with newly added Sweetshop Marketplace, fitness center and outdoor swimming pool and patio area. Since MJH purchased the property in June 2017, the hotel has improved its ranking on TripAdvisor by 17 positions, and it is now ranked among the Top 8 hotels in the greater Wilmington area.

Renovation to the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Wilmington began March 3rd and was completed August 6th. Although Wilmington was severely impacted by Hurricane Florence in September, the property was unscathed. ES Development & Management Corp. of Boston served as the general contractor; Compass Development Services LLC of Fairfield, Conn., was engaged as the project manager; DiLeonardo of Warwick, Rhode Island, took the lead on design; and Benjamin West of Dallas oversaw FF&E and OS&E procurement. An open house and ribbon cutting ceremony are being planned for October.

Formula for Success

The Formula Blue™ design prototype selected by the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Wilmington appeals to self-sufficient and independent travelers. It features fresh, energetic and engaging elements, creating a distinctive style that is evident at every touch point of the Holiday Inn Express brand experience. Formula Blue puts sleep quality, simplicity, and ease of maintenance at the center of its concept, which is mandatory for all future renovations and new-build Holiday Inn Express properties.

The hotel's fitness center received new TV-clad equipment. The elevator banks and guest corridors were also updated with new carpet in tones of blue and gray complemented by new vinyl wall covering. When the elevator doors open on each floor guests are greeted with a stylish art-deco floor number for easy wayfinding. Guest bathrooms were gutted to the studs and feature new vanity, tile floor, wall vinyl and back-lit make-up friendly mirrors that female guests love.