Second Time's the Charm: Holiday Inn Tewksbury-Andover Celebrates Re-Grand Opening

After 23 years of business in Tewksbury, the Holiday Inn Tewksbury-Andover received a second ribbon-cutting and grand opening, though with a moniker different from one it had just months ago.

As recently as April 2011, the hotel dubbed itself the Tewksbury Inn. This is because the hotel, which originally opened for business in 1988 as a Holiday Inn, was bought by President and CEO Satish Duggal of Twin Tier Hospitality in 2008, just days after the infamous 2008 ice storm. As soon as the hotel changed hands, renovations were pursued. The hotel lost its affiliation with the Holiday Inn company during the height of renovations, in February. This was just a temporary transition, said area director of sales and marketing Stephen Nass, to allow for renovations to be completed to everyone’s satisfaction.

“From that point, we (came) back into the Holiday Inn system, and they reinstated us,” he said. “We wanted to get it done right, that was key for us.”

According to Duggal, the refurbishment was aimed to improve the customer experience and give the building a “fresh” look, differentiated from the last renovation, some 10 to 12 years ago.

“When we bought this place we wanted to see what we could do to improve the guest satisfaction,” he said. “So we did all that to make sure the place gives what the customers are looking for...it’s all about taking care of the customers.”

To accomplish this, Nass said the building received a “complete restoration” from floor to ceiling.

“We did everything from guest rooms, we had some function space done, our bar area, the restaurant, the fitness center,” he said. The hotel also added amenities such as free Wifi, ergonomic chairs, green technology in rooms, and a business center for clients.

Though the physical renovation took about two years, Duggal said that the process began a full year before that, and had been going since then at nearly “non-stop” pace.

“So the list started three years ago, and there was a lot of market research done (to ensure) that we were doing the right thing,” he said.

To celebrate the completion of renovations, the hotel threw a dinner for select clients, town officials, and Holiday Inn higher-ups. Two hundred Holiday Inn clients attended, including and , and Senior Vice President of Holiday Inn Operations, Vincent Sano.

“This is our relaunch, or our re-Grand Opening, so to speak,” said Nass. “It’s certainly a very exciting time for all of us.”

Nass opened the dinner in the hotel’s grand ballroom, which was candle-lit and filled with music provided by a string trio, by thanking the hotel’s new owners.

“Doesn’t this room look fantastic?” he said. “This evening, it is our sincere pleasure to showcase this magnificent hotel to you. We are honored to have, for almost a quarter century, been the hotel of choice in the Tewksbury area, for memorable meetings, and fabulous weddings and conferences.”

Don DuPaul, the general manager of the hotel for the past 10 years, told the gathering that the renovations to the facility were a “long time coming.”

“We’re so proud to introduce it to you, the people that we do it for,” he said. “(That) makes it all worthwhile for us.”

Selectman and economic development committee member David Gay spoke to the crowd about how the renovated hotel would help the local economy. He said that the committee had been working to bring businesses into that part of Tewksbury, which had been recently named an by the state.

“This area is primed for growth right now,” he said. “As the frozen economy begins to slowly thaw, it’s encouraging to see that (the owners) would invest money and try to revitalize this area of Tewksbury.”

Before sitting, he let the assembly know of his opinion on the night’s fare.

“If the food is any indication of how everything is doing here, I think everything is gonna be great.”

Miceli, who presented the hotel with a citation from the state, thought the exact same thing.

“I tell you, as David said, there are great days ahead for Tewksbury,” he said.

Duggal was simply happy with the end result.

“We are very happy to be here,” he said. “A lot of hard work, long time, but it looks beautiful.”