AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Augusta, Ga. is a city in full-bloom in April, and this spring The Partridge Inn will be as resplendent as the azaleas in Amen Corner as the city’s historic landmark hotel emerges from the first phase of an extensive multi-million dollar renovation just in time for the 2006 Masters Tournament.
From its stately perch atop “the Hill” in the historic Summerville neighborhood of Augusta, a new pale-yellow facade announces that magnificent changes are underway at The Partridge Inn. Under the management of Horst Schulze’s The West Paces Hotel Group, initial renovations at The Partridge Inn will be finalized by March 2006. The first phase of the historic hotel’s multi-million dollar restoration encompasses all of the hotel’s public spaces, including a new lobby, restaurant, meeting rooms, verandahs, renovated façade and guestrooms on the ground and first floors.
The project is overseen by the hotel’s new management company, The West Paces Hotel Group, which assumed its role with The Partridge Inn in September 2005. The president and CEO of The West Paces Hotel Group, Horst Schulze, is a legend in the service world. The past president of the prestigious The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Schulze’s vision has helped reshape concepts of customer service throughout the hospitality and service industries. Every detail of The Partridge Inn will be enhanced for ultimate levels of service and comfort, and in keeping with The West Paces Hotel Group philosophy, the enhancements and upgrades in service promise to be as much a part of the renovation as the physical construction.
CMMI of Atlanta, which specializes in 5-star hospitality design, was selected as the architecture and interior design firm. Led by Robert Meaders, Principal-in-charge, and Karen West, Project Manager, designers took their cue from the property’s turn-of-the-century architecture and are focusing on recreating the era in the early 1900s when Augusta and The Partridge Inn regularly hosted presidents, golf legends and a virtual who’s who of the industrial age as the country’s premier resort destination. Design elements will highlight the property’s distinctive architecture and historical nature through the use of authentic materials, vintage design details, reproduction and period furnishings, a soothing color palette, and historic artwork.
In the public areas, taupe-colored walls will be highlighted with fresh, arctic white trim and wainscoting. Brushed nickel was chosen for the lighting fixtures, from chandeliers to sconces, for its historical relevance. Carpeting fuses the richer tones of rust, forest green and chocolate brown to blend with the antique and reproduction furnishings. The overall effect is one of light, spaciousness and a feeling of comfort.
The reopening will introduce a new restaurant with Chef Bradley Czajka at the helm that will feature fresh American cuisine emphasizing the Chef’s love of seafood and simple, regional ingredients. A recipient of “Best Sunday Brunch” for 14 years running, The Partridge Inn will continue that time-honored tradition as well as offer its daily Grand Southern Buffet Breakfast and Lunches featuring a bountiful selections of southern treats. The Bar features some of the best live jazz in the city along with specialty drinks, an impressive wine list and tempting hors d’oeuvres.
Nestled among the architecturally significant and leafy, magnolia-flecked Summerville Historic District, The Partridge Inn captures the spirit of the Masters and ambiance of all that is southern and warm. From corporate sponsors, celebrities, VIPs, and sports scene followers to the local college crowd, The Partridge Inn is “the place” in Augusta for Masters’ festivities. The streets in the historic neighborhood where the hotel is located are packed with people, limousines, tour buses and vans. It is probably fitting that at golf’s most revered tournament, all the best action is at the town’s most cherished landmark.
Returning to The Partridge Inn for Master’s Week is like returning home for many who spend every Master’s at this historic hotel. Many guests return to The Partridge Inn year after year, catching up with old friends and favorite hotel employees. One guest was so thankful for the personal attention he received that he left his automobile as a tip for the head bellman. Guests enjoy round-the-clock shuttles to the tournament, enhanced food and beverage offerings, automatic admission to the extremely popular Partridge Inn Restaurant & Bar, and other exclusive amenities.
The Partridge Inn’s original building was constructed in the 1830s, and the property evolved to its present, full city block size by the end of the 1920s. This hotel was there when the tournament started and was there when Ty Cobb and other baseball giants held their Spring Training in Augusta. There is even a picture in the hotel of two very young hotel bellboys who served as caddies in the early years at Augusta National. The hotel was selected by the City of Augusta to host a dinner for Warren G. Harding during his presidency. From the early days of Bobby Jones to the era of Tiger Woods, The Partridge Inn remains the place where spectators go to discuss the days’ events.
The first hotel in Georgia selected for inclusion in Historic Hotels of America, The Partridge Inn is renowned for its charming Southern details, including beautiful verandahs, classic columns, stately Magnolia trees and unparalleled personal service. The hotel currently has 154 executive rooms, studios and deluxe suites; a restaurant; a fitness center; an outdoor swimming pool, and high-tech meeting facilities. The hotel’s final product will result in more spacious guest rooms and take the total number of rooms from 154 to 145. For accommodations or dining reservations, please call The Partridge Inn at (706) 737-8888, toll-free 1-800-476-6888, or visit The Partridge Inn’s Website at www.partridgeinn.com.
C.M.M.I.
Culpepper, McAuliffe and Meaders, Inc. (CMMI) is an award-winning Atlanta-based architectural design firm that offers a unique blend of architecture and interior design expertise. Since 1987, the firm has been commissioned for numerous projects in the public and private sectors, including hotels, condominiums, conference centers, lodges and visitors’ centers. As hospitality design specialists, CMMI is experienced with major hotel owners, developers and operators. Their studios provide programming, architecture, interior design, wayfinding and sustainable “green” design services in the U.S. and abroad. More information is available at www.cmmi-redlines.com
The West Paces Hotel Group
The West Paces Hotel Group was founded by Horst Schulze, former president and COO of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company along with several former Ritz-Carlton executives to create and operate distinctive hotels in several market segments world-wide. The principals of the company leverage unparalleled hospitality experience and a diverse track record of operating world-class hotels and resorts. The group’s mission is to create value through superior service at luxury and world-class properties and conference centers. The West Paces Hotel Group currently manages properties and initiatives including the Carefree Resort & Villas (Carefree, Arizona), The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center (Auburn, Alabama), Ocean Place Resort & Spa (Long Branch, New Jersey), Daufuskie Island
Resort & Breathe Spa (Daufuskie Island, South Carolina), The Parkhotel (Euskirchen, Germany), and Hotel 71 (Chicago). The Group recently launched Solís Hotels & Resort, its own brand of ultra-luxury properties. For more information on The West Paces Hotel Group, visit www.westpaceshotels.com.
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