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Originally published on The Batavian October 31, 2016
If Batavia is a ring that holds a precious gem, that diamond is now the new Batavia Downs Hotel, said Hart Hotels Sales Manager Shane Draman during a tour Friday of the new facility with the hotel's General Manager Richard Likus.
Both were brimming with pride as they showed off the hotel's amenities, boasting of the subtle details that they believe will earn a four-diamond rating from AAA.
"We’re a destination now," Litkus said. "We have a racetrack. We have a casino. We have four beautiful restaurants in the casino that do room service to our rooms. It’s not like we’re a hub where people are passing through. This is where people are going to come and spend a weekend or spend their anniversaries or spend the holidays. It’s going to be something special."
The finer points include free Wi-Fi, refrigerators and Keurigs with Tim Horton's coffee in all 84 rooms, 310 thread-count sheets and goose-down pillows, hardwood floors and open-air drawer racks (both are more sanitary than carpet and wooden drawers), and spacious rooms with a turn-down service between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. (which includes a small piece of chocolate left on your pillow).
"People won’t remember what you said," Draman noted. "People won’t remember what you did. People will always remember how you treat them. I think when you take a look at that, how we treat people, the little nuances that are here, the little special things, people pick up on."
There are 40 rooms in the hotel with king-size beds, 40 with double queens and four two-room suites that have a wine cooler the size of a mini-fridge, a refrigerator and sink area with a dining table. There is also a balcony overlooking the racetrack.
Hart Hotels already operates four four-diamond hotels in Watkins Glen, Clayton, Thousand Islands, and Portland, Maine,
Key members of Batavia's new staff were sent to these locations to train.
"Our goal is to be the leading hotel in Batavia and the surrounding area," Litkus said.
The hotel has already hosted several guests, including a convention of 300 members of Rotary clubs from throughout the state and Draman said the feedback so far has been as great as they had hoped. He said people use words like "wow," and "fantastic," when describing the hotel.
From the outside of the hotel, you would never guess how spacious the hotel is, an observation made by several guests, Draman said.
"We've received emails were people have said it's the best hotel they've stayed at," Draman said.
The ribbon cutting for the new hotel will be at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, and Thurman Thomas will be on hand for the ceremony. He was a professional football player, a running back, who spent most of his National Football League career with the Buffalo Bills.
Something fun to do local and you can win big! Just not me. Lol
Ann Sheelar on Jan, 13, 2017
Great place to celebrate a Birthday. Had my Mom's birthday dinner at the clubhouse. She had the best time ever.. Thanks to all the staff for being so helpful and great service!!!!!
Nancy Eckert on Jan, 8, 2017
A good place to spend a evening.
Steven Pagano on Dec, 29, 2016
Batavia Downs is a great place for fun and food they have live entertainment and the games are fun to. They give away free plays daily and many chances to win. This year I took my little boy to see Santa and the weaner dog races so they are fun for the family as well. Great place to visit
Pamela Morris on Dec, 28, 2016
Good place to go when you want to get away and have a little fun and maybe win some cash. I really like the made in America store!
Gary DuBoise on Dec, 21, 2016
They've done an impressive job of remodeling! Can't wait to check out the hotel!
Dawn Puleo on Dec, 12, 2016