Wynfrey Hotel Wins Readers' Choice Award
BIRMINGHAM, AL, March 6, 2008. The 329-room luxury Wynfrey Hotel at Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, Ala., is making history again by receiving the Readers' Choice Award from ConventionSouth magazine as one of the South's best places to meet.
Last year, the editors of ConventionSouth asked more than 18,000 of the nation's top meeting professionals to name the hotels, resorts, conference centers, and other meeting sites in the South they believe display "exemplary creativity and professionalism to groups." Approximately 2,000 meeting sites were considered, with only a select few winning the award. The Wynfrey Hotel served 100,000 meeting delegates in 2007.
"We are thrilled to receive the prestigious Readers' Choice Award from the readers of Convention South magazine," said Tynette Lynch, general manager of the Wynfrey Hotel. "Our 255-member staff works very hard to provide exceptional service to meeting delegates from across the nation. Our state-of-the-art meeting facilities can accommodate groups of all sizes."
ConventionSouth President and Publisher J. Talty O'Connor noted that the recognition comes from the nation's top meeting planners who book events in the South.
"These planners demand the highest level of customer service and quality facilities, and they have determined that recipients do indeed display the commitment to professionalism, creativity, excellence, and outstanding customer service they require," O'Connor said. "It is an honor to announce that the Wynfrey Hotel was selected by these planners as one of the best in the South."
The Wynfrey Hotel, which is conveniently framed by the 2 million-square-foot Riverchase Galleria shopping mall, is a popular destination for conventioneers, business travelers, leisure travelers, shopping enthusiasts, social groups, honeymooners and golfers. Highlights include three ballrooms and 18 meeting rooms totaling more than 32,000 square feet; Shula's Steak House fine-dining restaurant; the more casual Chicory Grille; Ivory's, a piano-accented lounge; the Chancellor's Club, a private concierge level; and a spacious lobby complemented with Italian marble floors and fine art.
The hotel has undergone many improvements over the past few years. A $3 million renovation in 2007 included the installation of Italian marble and French chandelier lighting in all of the property's guest bathrooms. Guests also can enjoy a new upscale amenities package that includes Tarrocco brand shampoos, conditioners, lotions, bath bars and facial bars. New plush carpet has been installed in corridors on all guest room floors.
Also last year, the hotel received its 21st consecutive Four Diamond Award from the American Automobile Association, a first for a lodging property in the state of Alabama.
In 2003, the Wynfrey joined forces with legendary football coach Don Shula to open Shula's Steak House, a 140-seat eatery featuring a virtual museum of 1972 Miami Dolphins memorabilia, sepia-toned photos, rich wood, and hand-painted football menus. The restaurant serves only Certified Angus Beef.
Over the years, the Wynfrey also has received the highly prized Pinnacle Award from the readers of Successful Meetings magazine, the Mobil Four-Star Award, and the Stars of the South Award from Meetings South magazine for outstanding meeting facilities and excellent service.
Distributed nationally, ConventionSouth, a publication of Covey Communications Corp., is read by more than 18,000 BPA-qualified meeting professionals. Covey Communications is based in Gulf Shores, Ala., with additional offices in Tampa, Fla., and Shreveport, La.
For more information about the Wynfrey Hotel or its meeting facilities, call (205) 987-1600 or (800) WYNFREY, send an e-mail to:
Lynette.lynch@wynfreyhotel.com or rusti.price@wynfreyhotel.com, or mail an inquiry to 1000 Riverchase Galleria, Birmingham, AL 35244. Hotel information also is available at http://www.wynfrey.com .
CONTACT:
Chuck Whiting: Info@WhitingPublicity.com
Whiting Publicity & Promotions
(615) 242-9857 or 423-9857
or Tynette Lynch: tynette.lynch@wynfreyhotel.com
The Wynfrey Hotel at Riverchase Galleria
(205) 444-5707
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 
