Is it happening? Is there going to be a functioning hotel in that behemoth of a building in Downtown Urbana? For real this time?
Today The News-Gazette reported that Hotel Royer, part of the Hilton Tapestry Collection, is taking reservation for dates beginning September 28th (so in time for Homecoming and Dad’s Weekend). If you check out the hotel website, you get a few mock ups of what the hotel will look like, as well as a description of the The Writer’s Room restaurant:
The Writer’s Room offers a unique dining experience in Champaign-Urbana. The restaurant has a speakeasy vibe inside of a library. The eclectic menu features truffle butter steaks, chipotle aioli calamari, and avocado lime chicken salads. The beverage offering includes handcrafted cocktails and martinis. Brunch and breakfast offerings include crème brulée French toast, Spanish eggs benedict, and locally sourced coffee.
Apparently there will also be an indoor pool and a fitness center.
The saga of this hotel has been long. The last time I saw the inside of it was six years ago when I interviewed other developers that also had intentions of turning it into a Hilton Tapestry property. It even made Tom’s “worst places to make out in Downtown Urbana” list (or at least the parking lot did).
I’m sure many of us are in “I’ll believe it when I see it” mode when it comes to this hotel, but open reservations seems like a promising step.