Route 37 Quality Inn Switches to Clarion Name

With the snip of a ribbon, the ceremony of welcoming a Clarion Inn to Toms River was complete.

The Clarion Inn, formerly the Quality Inn, has been operating since May 1 on Route 37 West. But today the Ocean County Toms River Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the switch.

Customers will notice the cosmetic changes as part of the switch to Clarion, as new signage is in place. The change does not add rooms to the hotel, but the 100 rooms of the hotel have renovations underway.

According to Chamber Official Fran Kirschner, that includes new furniture, new drapes with blackout curtains and sheers, flat screen televisions with high definition.

The facility is also a conference center: meeting rooms and two recently update ballrooms accommodate up to 500 people.

Other changes as part of the move to Clarion include renovated lobby, an exercise room, and expanded business center.

Staff said the name change so far has been going well.

"We are all very excited about this upgrade for our guests and to our brand. Our guest response to the hotel changes has been excellent, which aligns us to compete more strongly in our marketplace," Bob Van Bochove, general manager, said.

Though the 815 Route 37 West location is the only Clarion in Ocean County, the brand name has locations in Princeton, Egg Harbor Township and Absecon. But its hotel family, Choice Hotels, maintains properties elsewhere in Toms River, such as the Rodeway Inn on Route 37 East and a Comfort Inn on Route 37 East.

Attended by local officials and business representatives, the ribbon cutting was also one of the regular Business After Hours networking events the chamber holds.