LBA Hospitality Breaks Ground on SpringHill Suites in Lafayette, LA
Dothan, AL - July 16, 2010 - The Village of River Ranch today added another feather to its innovative community cap as city officials and developers drove gold-tipped shovels into the ground to celebrate the construction start of the new 103-suite SpringHill Suites by Marriott.
Introduced to River Ranch by Dothan, Ala.-based developer LBA Hospitality and brokered by Covington, La.-based Stirling Properties, the hotel will be built by Hollis & Spann Construction. LBA Hospitality will manage the hotel, which is slated for a spring 2011 opening.
The hotel site is on Settlers Trace Blvd., just west of Camellia Boulevard.
Beau Benton, LBA Hospitality's executive vice president and chief operating officer, said that the new SpringHill Suites by Marriott at River Ranch reflects LBA's expertise in placing right-timed hotel products in right-timed locations.
“We've refined the SpringHill Suites prototype to create a combination of high style, New Urbanism savvy and affordability for people visiting River Ranch for business or pleasure,” said Benton. “While all of Acadiana is known for fun, food and great hospitality, Lafayette seems to be its vibrant center; and this new, all-suite, Marriott-branded hotel will certainly blend right into that joie de vivre spirit."
Robert W. Daigle, principal of River Ranch Development Co., said, “Adding a major-brand hotel to River Ranch was always a goal. We were just waiting for the perfect combination of timing, product and partners.”
SpringHill Suites by Marriott-River Ranch
Visitors to the new SpringHill Suites by Marriott will enter a contemporarily sleek, stylish lobby that combines smart form and function. Part of the “smart” is a planned outdoor terrace enclosed by a living green wall. Guest suites will be 25% larger than traditional hotel rooms, offering areas for sleeping, working and relaxing. Specific features will include a 37-inch flat-screen HC LCD TV, iPod docking station, mini-fridge, microwave and coffeemaker, and spa-modeled bathrooms. Free WiFi will be provided throughout the hotel. A 24/7 market for healthy snacks, drinks and basic travel amenities, expanded fitness area and outdoor swimming pool will round out the hotel's features.
LBA Hospitality
Larry Blumberg & Associates, Inc./LBA Hospitality (LBA) and its subsidiaries are a group of companies providing comprehensive hotel development and management services. The company operates more than 64 hotels, primarily in the southeastern U.S., from its corporate office in Dothan, Ala. LBA has developed and operated hotels for over 35 years, with a background and culture that has evolved through the eyes of an owner focused on maximizing return, safeguarding assets and enhancing value.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
