Proverbial wheels within wheels and gears within gears have a business-themed cousin of glass, steel and stone: a hub within a hub.
The 10-story Hilton Stamford Hotel and Executive Meeting Center at 1 First Stamford Place has been owned by private Boston-Based Pyramid Hotel Group since 2007. It previously was a Westin Hotel.
It is, under its new owner, a hub within a hub.
“Twenty-five years ago, this building was the start of development on this side of 95” ”“ the east side, said General Manger Mark Anderson. “Since then, we”™ve become an anchor for business as it relates to hospitality and corporate travel, especially on this side of 95. This office complex ”“” immediate neighbors include Elizabeth Arden Inc., Thomson Reuters and Ernst & Young L.L.P. ”“ “uses the Hilton as an amenity and as a marketing hook to bring companies here. Consequently, increases in the office park occupancy rate have us to thank.
“If you think of Stamford as the hub between Boston and Philadelphia, we think of ourselves as the hub of Stamford.”
The Hilton Stamford”™s automated doors last year saw 1.75 million people pass through to stay, to dine, to conference and to attend trade shows. Anderson bullet-pointed the hotel”™s clients: “They”™re politicians, business people, presidents of major companies, entertainers.” Asked to drop a few names, he had heavy hitters at hand: “Barack Obama last October. Tony Blair. Mike Krzyzewski.” The hotel contains 484 rooms, featuring Hilton top-tier beds and 32-inch plasma TVs. The hotel was renovated in 2008 and is wifi”™d.
With 45,000 square feet of conference space ”“ all on the same floor; changeable with the opening or closing of oversized doors ”“ Anderson said the hotel contains the biggest public meeting space, save one, in the region: “The convention center in Hartford.” March witnessed a trade show by the Connecticut Maritime Association that attracted 2,000 people per day.
“We really offer the right space for large events and trade shows: very, very flexible space,” he said.
The Grand Ballroom is 10,200 square feet and can accommodate 1,500 guests. The Garden Pavilion offers 7,200 square feet of event space. The meeting rooms are wired with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment.
“We are excited and proud that a marquee name such as Hilton chose to invest in Stamford,” said Bob Lupinacci, spokesman for Mayor Michael A Pavia. “Having Hilton in Stamford reinforces the city”™s image as a premier East Coast city for business and private events. Stamford”™s natural resources, talents and amenities are on par with the expectations of a Hilton-caliber guest and we welcome the Hilton”™s guests as the city of Stamford”™s guests. (They) generate local business, attract new commerce and promote the virtues of this terrific city and we”™re thrilled to have them here.”
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Pavia, on April 28 will deliver the keynote address at the Stamford Chamber of Commerce”™s annual State of the City address at the hotel.
It”™s a global world and the Hilton Stamford”™s food reflects that.
“Kosher, ethnic, Indian weddings ”“ we”™re very well versed in this type of hospitality,” said Anderson, citing “risotto for 800” as a typical challenge met.
Executive Chef Harald K. Sterk has worked in several Hiltons, including the Rotterdam Hilton in Holland, the Corfu Hilton in Greece and the Carlton Hotel in South Africa. “Cooking is internal,” Sterk says by way of explaining his kitchen philosophy. “It does not come from learning cooking; it is something you feel. If you don”™t feel the food when you cook it, you”™re in the wrong business.” The Sterk recipe book spans Kobe filet mignon to Reuben sandwiches and comes with the recognition: “Food can”™t be presented without good service.”
Sterk also supervises the offerings at Senses Restaurant on site, serving “creative American fare,” and in the private dining room, which can handle up to 16 guests. During conference breaks, he displays the ins and outs of the kitchen via cooking demonstrations. Those seeking other break options can swim in the indoor pool, play tennis or work out in a Precor-outfitted gym with 24-hour access.
Said Anderson, “We hear from customers, especially from our corporate customers, that the physical property is outstanding, but it”™s the people who make the difference. That”™s what we hear.”
The “location” variable ”“ critical to any hotel”™s equation ”“ is a Hilton Stamford strength.
Anthony Amendola, the hotel”™s director of sales and marketing, reinforced Anderson”™s sentiments on the hotel”™s front door as a focus point of the Northeast business corridor: “We”™re three hours to Boston and three hours to Philadelphia,” he said. “This is a great location to attract that market. With the rail station ”“ “incorporating Amtrak and New York City commuter service””“ this is a hub. The hotel is the hub for the city and its future expansion down the road. And the city is a hub. With the availability of trains, the highway and nearby airports, the location we have here is second to none.”
The website is hiltonstamfordhotel.com.
