Travel Agent recently sat down with representatives of the The Alexander, a Dolce Hotel, and got the skinny on what makes this hotel the perfect pitch for corporate travelers looking for a little leisure on the side.
We sat down with General Manager Michael Moros, who told us, “This is perhaps one of our most well balanced hotels when it comes to leisure versus corporate. There is something for everyone here.”
And with its close proximity to Bankers Life Fieldhouse, which is where the National Basketball Asociation’s Indiana Pacers play, its just as likely to run into a star athlete as it is a corporate or leisure traveler. In fact, Moros told us the Pacers have been to the hotel a few times, but the hotel is beginning to reach out to opposing teams, including the Brooklyn Nets, who graced the hotel last week.
The Alexander, a Dolce Hotel opened its doors on January 21 to savvy travelers and business clientele seeking a fresh, vibrant setting in downtown Indianapolis. Located in the heart of CityWay, a new 14-acre neighborhood development in downtown Indianapolis, The Alexander is Dolce Hotels and Resorts’ 18th property in North America and will be the first LEED and only International Association of Conference Center (IACC) certified hotel in the state of Indiana.
Developed by Indianapolis-based Buckingham Companies and designed by the noted architectural firm, Gensler, The Alexander features 209 guest rooms, all specially designed as relaxed refuges for work and rest. The hotel’s dining scene offers three destinations, each inspired by the fresh local bounty of the Midwest. In its public spaces, more than 50 artworks will be on view, selected by Dr. Lisa Freiman, head of the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s (IMA) Contemporary Art Department, and Veronica Roberts, adjunct associate curator of contemporary art for the IMA. The 14 works are site-specific commissions for The Alexander.
The Rooms
The Presidential Suite at The Alexander, a Dolce Hotel |
The Alexander guest room amenities include rain-head showers, complimentary wireless internet access, dimmable lighting controls, 47-inch flat screen televisions, wireless telephones, iHome entertainment systems with Bluetooth connectivity, and international convenience outlets, to name a few. Room types offered include 146 traditional double-queen and California king guest rooms, 10 junior/extended suites, 36 one-bedroom residential studios, 16 two-bedroom residential suites and a presidential suite with direct house-service access. ADA accessible units are available in each unit type. The best room, however, is the Presidential Suite, which comes with a ton of space (about 1,350 sqaure feet) and four TVs, including two 55-inch televisions and even a small flat screen located in the mirror of the bathroom so clients can stay connected while getting clean. Moros recommends agents book this room at least a month in advance.
The Food
Designed by artist Jorge Pardo as a way to experience art from the inside out, Plat 99 mixology bar blends local ingredients into seductive cocktail creations in an upper level bar with striking views of Indianapolis skyline. A 2010 recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship (commonly known as a “genius grant”), Pardo’s work spans the intersection of art, design and architecture. Innovative sushi rolls, artisanal charcuterie and regional cheeses complement the cocktail menu, while the expansive outdoor terrace with contemporary furniture and built-in fire pits adds to the overall experience.
The Alexander’s Market Table and Nourishment Hubs are a departure from the typical hotel buffets and banquets, offering diners a direct bond with the culinary team through a state-of-the-art open kitchen. Dishes are prepared to order from fresh produce, natural meats and local artisanal goods, while menus transform seasonally.
At Cerulean, diners enjoy fresh local fare fashioned by owner and chef Caleb France, whose creative cooking and culinary techniques are based on respect for community and education through the art of food. This outpost follows his successful and popular Cerulean restaurant in Winona Lake, Indiana.
For Corporate Clientele
Ideal for meetings and events of all sizes, The Alexander offers 16,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event function space. The flexible 17 meeting and conference rooms have been designed to meet the IACC standards, including the highest standards in audio/visual infrastructure, sound isolation and amenities in the industry. The 3,520-square-foot Alexander Ballroom is an impressive venue for gala receptions, while the 806-square-foot Ralston Executive Penthouse Boardroom is perfect for exclusive executive meetings with its 1,008-square-foot wraparound terrace. Many of the hotel’s breakout rooms have natural light and three offer access to the hotel’s terrace overlooking the 2,400 square foot Outdoor Plaza. The Outdoor Placza is an especially impressive lawn area located on the grounds of the hotel that is perfect for receptions. That area can accommodate roughly 200 people and will be used for other functions such as wine tastings, Moros says.
All onsite meeting spaces are equipped with the latest audiovisual technology and Wi-Fi high-speed Internet access, while on-staff service personnel are both knowledgeable and flexible with regards to meeting client needs. As an IACC-certified address, the hotel adheres to the highest industry standards for meeting and conference facilities around the globe.
Activities and Inspirations
The Alexander offers a variety of leisure and team building activities, such as originally customized art-based experiences, to inspire cohesion and to encourage guests to stay active. The hotel’s fitness center spans 800 square-feet with top-notch cardio and strength training equipment, as well as two massage rooms. The hotel’s central location offers access to nearby sites and scenes including the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Lucas Oil Stadium and several local museums. Bicycles are provided based on availability.
The Alexander will qualify for its LEED certification by showing its strong commitment to environmental sustainability through its eco-friendly design throughout every aspect of the hotel. With a focus on providing green space, energy, and water conservation, design amenities range from employing a storm water collection system that collects storm runoff and preserves it for irrigation purposes, to offering free charging stations for electric vehicles parked on-site.
Opening rates start from $129.00 and are subject to availability.
More About CityWay
CityWay is a new 14-acre neighborhood in the heart of downtown Indianapolis that encompasses a 209-room luxury hotel, apartments and destination restaurants and will include 40,000 square feet of retail and office space, as well as a YMCA. Contemporary art is incorporated throughout the public spaces, including more than ten site-specific commissions for The Alexander hotel and graffiti art in the parking garages.
Visit www.dolce.com and www.cityway.com.