Get ready for a most luxurious experience in a place you’ve probably never heard of. And a hotel you’ll soon want to learn much more about…
Champaign Taste
Don’t let the name Champaign, Illinois fool you. While you may be thinking it’s a place full of corks popping and bubbles flowing, you’d be wrong. A small town in the middle of the country, Champaign is home to the University of Illinois and has a large population of early 20-somethings.
Home as well to acclaimed film and music festivals alike, it’s still a relatively sleepy town. And while you might not expect there to be a real reason for a non-college student to spend time here, you’d be wrong. Driving through the backroads and flat, plain terrain to reach the I Hotel and Conference Center, I wondered if the hotel would be in the middle of nowhere. It was not.
Situated in the center of Champaign, it is one of few places a traveler can hang their weary head to rest for the night. But what a place to rest.
Unquestionably one of the last places you’d expect to find a 4-star hotel of such caliber, the I Hotel is the ideal spot for any kind of Midwest getaway. Traveling by farm house, after tractor, after flatland, it was a real sweet escape walking into the I Hotel.
The Start
Having opened in August of 2008, the “I” in “I Hotel” stems from its location on the Illinois campus. Just as much as being an independent boutique hotel.
Though the owner Peter Fox only has the I Hotel to boast of as his sole property, he does manage several companies including Fox Development. Which just happens to be located in Champaign as well.
And remember how Champaign’s main attraction is the University? Well, the I Hotel has something to do with that as well.
“The I Hotel and Conference Center is a is a joint development between Fox/Atkins Development, LLC and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Illinois Conference Center is owned by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I Operations, LLC is the legal entity that manages the I Hotel & Conference Center, and Houlihan’s Restaurant + Bar,” according to their marketing manager.
The hotel doesn’t just have a chic style and relaxed atmosphere. The vibe is, dare I say, European. Transporting me back to my days in sophisticated places like the Maremma area of Tuscany, the hotel holds up to such tasteful standards. The staff is beyond hospitable and friendly, the cleanliness nearly unbeatable, and the décor absolute perfection. The rustic charm of the prarie surroundings meeting the interior’s classy style is a juxtaposition that I would like to see more of around these parts.
And if the ambiance weren’t enough, there’s more. With a spa on site, a fitness center and Houlihan’s restaurant on the ground floor – there’s just about everything you could ask for at this hotel.
Starbuck’s café with breakfast treats and any kind of coffee you can think of complimentary in the morning, this is just some of the pampering you’ll receive while staying here.
“The I Hotel is a modern, boutique, independent hotel, giving us the flexibility to build our own culture. We are dedicated to the highest standards of excellence and quality and committed to providing Four Diamond Service to each and every guest. Our greatest strength is our dedication to customer service, making sure guests feel welcome and exceeding their expectations”, says the marketing manager of I Hotel.
And I can attest to the statement being accurate. They do indeed do their utmost to making sure the hotel meets the highest standards, and are successful in executing it.
When asked why guests should frequent their hotel, she answers by saying,
“Whether it’s pleasure or business that brings you to Champaign, our property has so much to offer its guests. Our close proximity to the UIUC Campus, athletic facilities, Research Park, and the Champaign-Urbana Willard airport has made us a prime location no matter the reason for your travels. Our property is a beautiful and convenient location. Attending conferences, meetings, and weddings in our 70,500 square foot conference center or going to a sporting event within walking distance, our location is ideal. Our luxurious & modern amenities, onsite restaurant, Spa at the I, and great rates makes it a preferred choice for area visitors and customers in the marketplace.”
In addition to all of this, I’ve been told too that regular guests of the I Hotel are spoiled even more than the average person. With businessmen and women coming and going from the area frequently and spending hundreds of nights a year at the hotel, they are taken care of in a very special way by staff. Like getting special gifts in the room like I did when staying the night.
With approximately 40 staff members employed by the hotel, 125 guest rooms and 3 suites, the I Hotel is the perfect place to hold an event of any kind.
“From corporate meetings, seminars, social gatherings, weddings, and more—we do it all with style and ease. With our recent conference center expansion, we now offer more than 70,500 square feet of interior meeting space, with a dedicated staff of event service professionals to ensure your event is a success. This includes a modern 12,200 sq. ft. exhibit hall that is able to accommodate up to 750 guests for a wedding reception, endless floorplan options for large conferences and expos, and seating for up to 1200 guests theater-style. No matter what your event, big or small, we have space and will devote our attention to the details.
Our conference center offers 16 rooms of all sizes, including boardrooms, ballrooms, and everything in between. We have hosted just about any event you can imagine with the most frequent being weddings and meetings,” explains the marketing manager.
I stayed at I
And now to gush about my stay at the I Hotel. Yes, it looked amazing from my video. I know. That’s because it was amazing. The room was deliciously comfortable. The flowers that were waiting for me in my room were beautiful. The candy and wine in the room were a special touch. The towels and bathrobes were so cozy. The blankets and sheets were wonderful. They had high-end cable channels on the TV. The toiletries were incredible. And that was just the room.
The conveience of having a gym on site, and a restaurant were deal sealers for me. And as an added bonus the fireplace with interesting books in the lobby area were a fine dash of elegance that only one with a good eye for taste could have.
I appreciated everything about the hotel, and most especially the staff. They were beyond gracious, welcoming and always eager to assist with anything I needed.
I would definitely go back to the I Hotel in the future, for any reason. And although it’s not in the most romantic spot in the world, surrounded by flatland, the hotel itself truly is the perfect place to hold a wedding and/or have a romantic weekend getaway.
So the next time you are in Champaign, Illinois, make sure to book a night or two (or a week) at the I Hotel and Conference Center. Just make sure that when you do, you let them know Lisa sent you!
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