Hotel Undergoes $15M Makeover and Rebranding

PLAINSBORO, NJ-The hotel until now known as the Doral Forrestal is getting its fourth name in the 25 years of its existence. And Marriott, which has taken over the property’s management, has launched a $15-million renovation of the property. Completion of the renovation project is expected in early 2007, although the property will officially become a Marriott at an opening ceremony scheduled for next month. The hotel is staying open during the renovation, according to John Yake, director of sales and marketing.

What will now become the Princeton Marriott Hotel and Conference Center was built in the early 1980s by Danish interests and called the Scanticon. Multiple ownership changes saw the property morph from Scanticon, to Forrestal in 1996, and to Doral Forrestal in 1998. Meristar Hospitality subsequently re-acquired the hotel it had once owned and turned management responsibilities over to Marriott recently.

The property, located within the mixed-use Princeton Forrestal Center, totals 290 rooms, including 11 suites. It features two restaurants, some 35,000 sf of meeting space and a spa. The renovation, according to Yake, includes all of the property’s guest rooms, including the installation of wireless Internet. Premium concierge rooms and a lounge are also being added to the property, according to Yake, and the hotel’s common areas, including the lobby area, are getting a major overhaul.