This past Friday, Teaneck Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin, Deputy Mayor Elie Y. Katz and councilmember Mark (Mendy) J. Schwartz (Jewish Link of NJ Co-Publisher) toured the busy site of the nearly complete dual-branded Homewood Suites by Hilton/Hampton Inn & Suites hotel that is slated to open this summer next to the Glenpointe complex on the southeast side of Teaneck.
The tour was led by a proud David Sanzari, president and CEO of Alfred Sanzari Enterprises, and Ryan Sanzari, COO of Alfred Sanzari Enterprises, who were both eager to showcase the new hotel site as they work to finish the building’s interior.
“We are hoping to open in June if everything works out,” explained David. He also expressed his satisfaction at being able to open a dual branded hotel “that is unique to our area and to this part of the country.”
In addition, the fact that the new hotel, on the site of a former parking lot, is just across the street from their company’s existing Glenpointe Marriott hotel, is also a big plus. Sanzari added that “we definitely like the fact that we will be able to ‘walk over’ guests from the new hotel to the Glenpointe Marriott across the street” if they are in need of the large event or banquet spaces there. This has been an issue in the past with the Glenpointe Marriott not always able to accomodate the number of guests who come for large events and want to stay at the hotel.
The reflective glass-clad new hotel complex is 14 stories high with 350 rooms—190 Hampton Suites rooms and 160 Homewood Suites rooms.
While touring the hotel and the model rooms set up inside, Mayor Hameeduddin and Deputy Mayor Katz pointed out that the new hotels are expected to generate well over $1 million in new annual tax revenue for the township of Teaneck.
The group also toured a number of model rooms set up for each of the two hotel brands that will be operating on the site. The Homewood Suites rooms were noticeably larger and slightly more upscale. Each Homewood suite will be furnished with a small kitchen that includes a full-size refrigerator as they tend to cater to guests staying for longer visits. “The average visit for Homewood Suites guests is five days,” explained Ryan. For larger groups or families, there were also a number of larger “super-suites” available with connecting rooms.
Both on-site hotels will offer amenities such as a complimentary hot breakfast and a swimming pool, a 24-hour fitness room and business center and free Wi-Fi. Guests will also have access to a grocery shopping service, if needed. The hotels will also participate in Hilton’s guest-loyalty program, Hilton Honors, and guests will have the option to redeem their points for free nights or to make purchases at Amazon.com with Amazon Shop With Points.
Although the new hotel is approximately a mile away from the closest Orthodox shuls, such as the Young Israel of Teaneck and Ohr Saadya, Schwartz noted that there are growing numbers of Orthodox Jews moving into the nearby senior living facility, Arbor Terrace of Teaneck (formerly Heritage Pointe of Teaneck).
Stay tuned for the June opening.
By Moshe Kinderlehrer, Co-Publisher, The Jewish Link of New Jersey
