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Renaissance Framingham Hotel & Conference Center Celebrates its Debut Following a Full Property Transformation

Colwen Hotels and XSS Hotels, today announced the completion of a multi-year transformation of Framingham’s historic “Castle Hotel” and the official launch of The Framingham Hotel Collection.   Originally opened in 1975 as the Sheraton Tara Hotel, the castle-inspired building has long been a landmark along the Massachusetts Turnpike and an iconic symbol of Greater Boston’s hotel landscape. Today, that legacy enters a new era: what was once a single full-service hotel has evolved into a connected three-hotel integrated campus, known as The Framingham Collection, comprising the Renaissance Framingham Hotel & Conference Center, Fairfield Inn & Suites Framingham, and TownePlace Suites Framingham, totaling 371 guestrooms and suites, with offerings across full-service, comfort-forward, and extended-stay options.   The reimagined destination also includes refreshed public areas, technology-forward meeting spaces, a reinvigorated sense of place that blends heritage architecture with modern hospitality, and three reinvented culinary concepts: Malone’s Irish Pub & Social - A modern rebirth of the beloved Molly Malone’s Irish Pub (est. 1991) offering elevated pub fare, locally crafted brews, Irish Coffees, and live entertainment. Provisions Hearth & Kitchen - A New England-inspired breakfast restaurant built on Honest Food and Thoughtful Hospitality. Tara Cafe - A convenient lobby cafe serving espresso beverages, refreshers, teas, and grab-and-go items. Proudly Serving Starbucks® Renaissance Framingham Hotel & Conference Center: A Landmark Reimagined At the center of the transformation is the Renaissance Framingham Hotel & Conference Center, which anchors the collection as the full-service flagship property. The Renaissance Framingham introduces an elevated full-service experience through design-forward guestrooms, inspired public spaces, and a reimagined weddings and events destination, one of the region’s most captivating meetings and events environments.   Guestrooms and suites feature contemporary furniture, refreshed baths, and design elements that echo the castle’s European-inspired architecture. Public spaces blend co-working-friendly zones, lobby lounges, and gathering areas that support both business and leisure travelers.   Renaissance Framingham Weddings & Events is the crown jewel of the property, offering more than 25,000 square feet of flexible meeting, wedding, and conference spaces. The fully reimagined venue supports modern events ranging from intimate board meetings to 1,000-person galas, with refreshed ballrooms, pre-function areas, and breakout rooms equipped with upgraded technology and luxury finishes. Throughout, sophisticated décor and a contemporary palette create a modern “castle moment” for a new generation, reflecting the broader renovation philosophy—respecting the past while embracing an elevated guest experience.   The three hotels participate in Marriott Bonvoy – the award-winning travel program from Marriott International – allowing members to earn and redeem points for their stay at the new hotel, and at other hotels and resorts across Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of brands. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and a contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind.   Hotels that make up the new reimagined destination include: Renaissance Framingham Hotel & Conference Center 1657 Worcester Rd., Framingham, MA | 508-879-7200 | Website: A refined full-service hotel blending historic character with modern elegance. The Renaissance offers elevated accommodations, expansive event space, and a sophisticated guest experience ideal for meetings, weddings, and elevated leisure stays. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Framingham 1659 Worcester Rd., Framingham, MA | 508-270-8510 | Website: A contemporary, comfort-forward hotel offering spacious rooms, complimentary amenities, and an approachable stay designed for short-term business and leisure travelers. TownePlace Suites by Marriott Framingham 1659 Worcester Rd., Framingham, MA | 508-270-8500 | Website: An extended-stay hotel featuring suite-style accommodations with fully equipped kitchens and residential comforts, ideal for longer visits, relocations, and project-based travel.

Jennifer Kemble has been named Director of Business Travel at Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center

Prior to teaming up with Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center, Kemble served as area director of business transient at The Westin Waltham Boston in Waltham, Mass. There she consistently achieved sales goals and developed action plans for transient markets while building new relationships and negotiating with all corporate groups. Before her work with The Westin Waltham Boston, she held several positions with Sheraton Boston Hotel including, assistant director of conventions and catering, sales coordinator, catering manager and sales manager. Her work with Sheraton Boston Hotel allowed her to grow customer retention and coordinate targeted marketing strategies. Kemble holds an associate degree in applied science from Newbury College in Brookline, Mass.

Ricardo Verdan has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center

Before joining Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center team, Verdan worked at various hotels under Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide including the four-diamond awarded Sheraton Boston Hotel and The Westin Waltham Boston. While overseeing The Westin Waltham Boston Food and Beverage Department, Verdan implemented a new marketing strategy that yielded more than $50,000 in additional revenue. Verdan’s experience also includes multiple hospitality positions in Mass. including Director of Food and Beverage at the former Sheraton Braintree Hotel, Sterling National Country Club and Sheraton Needham.

Rob Webb (Hilton Worldwide) has been named to Computerworld’s Premier 100 IT Leaders for 2012 at IDG’s Computerworld magazine

IDG’s Computerworld magazine has named Rob Webb, Chief Information Officer for Hilton Worldwide, to its “Premier 100 IT Leaders for 2012.” The award is given to top leaders in IT that demonstrate leadership in the following areas: Exceptional technology in their organizations; Fostering ideas and creative work environments; Envisioning innovative approaches to business problems; Effectively managing IT strategies. In his role at Hilton Worldwide, Webb and his team are responsible for spearheading the Hilton Innovation Collaborative. The Collaborative is a series of multi-year agreements with five leading technology companies – IBM, AT&T, Accenture, Tata Consultancy Services and Microsoft – to provide Hilton with technology infrastructure, high speed network services, reservation systems, property systems, corporate systems and transactional website development and support services covering more than 3,700 hotels worldwide.