Slippery Rock hotel set to open in October

A new hotel is planned to open for business early next month after breaking ground four years ago.

The Marriot Fairfield Inn and Suites, of 1000 University Parkway, is set to open in early October for business.

The reason for the delayed opening date, which was originally set for Sept. 7th, is the lack of an occupancy permit.  

While the hotel broke ground in 2007, it was not given a building permit until 2010 and had planned to open that February.

One of the main hold-ups for opening the hotel is that certain permits involved with the project require that the traffic light at the intersection of Franklin Street and Grove City Road be activated, which it currently is not.

Jeff Schmitz, owner of the future Marriott Fairfield Inn and Suites, said having the hotel sit vacant costs him $980 per day, in addition to $5,000 per day in labor.

According to Tammy Schaum, manager of the Fairfield Inn, the hotel has already hired Slippery Rock University students from the recreation resort management/tourism program and, in total, has 30 employees, most of which are from the Slippery Rock area.

"I've seen the hotel go from the ground up on the inside," Schaum said. "The opening date is still up in the air, but we are hoping for October 1st."

The 75-room hotel will offer three floors featuring a meeting room, 23 suites and 52 rooms. Some attractions included are an indoor swimming pool, and a fitness and recreation center.

Basic amenities the hotel features are a continental breakfast, coffee in the lobby, a concierge desk, toll-free phone calls, safe deposit boxes at the front desk and local restaurant dinner delivery.

Guest room amenities include air conditioning, an alarm clock, coffee maker/tea service, a crib, individual climate control, an iron and ironing board, a miniature fridge, both down and foam pillows, a pullout sofa bed and color, cable television.

There will be wireless Internet available in public areas, guest rooms and meeting rooms, and wired Internet will be available in just guest rooms and meeting rooms.

The hotel utilizes traditional check-in and checkout times, as well as express checkout alongside complimentary on-site parking.  

Business services offered are copy service, fax service, network/Internet printing and overnight delivery/pickup.  

More information on booking and amenities located at the hotel can be found on Marriott's Fairfield Inn and Suites website.