Widgets Magazine
  • Former Marriott set to reopen after $20 million renovation

    When Champion Hotels purchased the hotel at 3233 NW Expressway in late 2017, it had lost its Marriott flag and had been operating as the Tower Hotel since 2013.


    New Embassy Suites hotel with McAlister's Deli under construction


    After a massive renovation, the hotel will re-open December 20th as Embassy Suites.

    When the hotel originally opened in 1985, it represented a huge investment in northwest Oklahoma City at a time the region was heading into a deep recession due to a slump in the oil patch.

    Throughout the '80s and '90s, the Marriott Northwest was a nightlife magnet due to the popular Russell's Lounge and the full-service hotel itself which featured 13,000 square feet of quality meeting space.





    Marriott from the 1990's; Old Russell's Lounge


    But very few updates were made over the next decades and as the property grew stale, a surge in hotel construction throughout Central Oklahoma caused a large decline in occupancy and ultimately Marriott removed its name.

    Champion then bought the property and planned a $13 million renovation, but once work started, that number soon climbed to more than $20 million.

    The entire building has been remodeled inside and out. The old Russell's was demolished last year and the land fronting NW Expressway was sold to McAlister's Deli which will open early next year.

    The old indoor/outdoor pool will now just be indoor with the outdoor area reworked into a patio with gas firepits.

    The step-down lobby has been remade into a one-level space with new marble flooring and all new woodwork, furniture and lighting. Embassy's own bar has been incorporated as well as a large breakfast room.

    The huge amount of meeting space has also been completely redecorated but still can be partitioned for large and smaller events alike.

    On the upper floors, 354 rooms have become 215 suites of varying sizes, all with great views of Northwest OKC and downtown beyond or Lake Hefer to the north. The rooms feature marble shower surrounds and modern features that carry through to the bedrooms and seating areas.

    Outside, the old beige facade has been freshly painted with a white and gray scheme and the huge parking area to the north has been completely repaved and the entire property has received new landscaping. New signage will be going up this week.

    Champion Hotels is owned by Champ Patel and operates dozens of hotels in Oklahoma as well as surrounding states. The company recently opened the first TRU hotel in the U.S. On S. Meridian Avenue. TRU is a new brand by Hilton Hotels.



    Meeting area entrance on the northeast corner of the hotel



    Lobby area



    New bar



    Lobby area looking towards entrance



    Indoor pool



    Courtyard



    Meeting rooms circulation area



    Meeting space



    Typical bathroom



    Typical bedroom



    View from 16th floor
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