After 14-Month Renovation, Marriott Naperville Opens its Doors

Hundreds of Marriott Hotel staff and onlookers gathered under sunny skies on Monday afternoon to celebrate the grand opening of the new hotel at 1801 Naper Blvd.

“Chicago Naperville Marriott, you’re finally here!,” boasted Mayor A. George Pradel after he cut the ribbon to usher in the swanky hotel’s grand opening.

Formerly a Holiday Inn Select, Marriott purchased the building in December 2010 and completely renovated the hotel throughout the past year and four months, gutting the structure down to its exterior shell.

After the $30 million rehab, the 434-room hotel is now the largest in the western suburbs. 

Located off a major interstate hub with I-88 directly to the north, Pradel said the city is proud to have Marriott as a welcoming point.

“It’s been wonderful to work with the group and we are looking forward to the entrance of the city being the Chicago Marriott Hotel,” he said.

The hotel employs an estimated 150 people with a large base of those associates being Naperville residents.

Complete with 25,000 square feet of meeting space, a 7,000-square-foot grand ballroom and Artisan Table restaurant, which uses locally-sourced ingredients, Marriott associates are looking forward to showing guests everything the contemporary full-service hotel has to offer.

“It’s fabulously first class, we’re thrilled, we’re ready to launch the hotel and have some guests in it,” said Chicago Marriott Naperville director of sales Wes Graf. “Not only is everyone on the property excited, but the community is excited as well.”

Graf said 30 guests were booked for Monday evening and he expected the first sell-out during the third weekend of April. Marriott hopes to attract business and leisure travelers as well as utilize their amenities for various types of social functions.

Even before guests arrived the hotel lobby was buzzing with staff members, a D.J. and media getting a glimpse of the 1960s-esque design of the building.

“Just walking through here, the excitement is infectious,” Graf said. “It’s been a long time coming.”