The Hotel at Auburn University hosting ribbon cutting for porte cochere addition

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The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center is hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, June 7, to officially open the porte cochere that will welcome guests upon arrival to the hotel.

Dignitaries from the City of Auburn and Auburn University will be on site for the 8 a.m. ceremony, which will include breakfast hors d'oeuvres, a gourmet coffee bar and remarks by Hans van der Reijden, managing director of The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center.

"The addition of the porte cochere is one of many steps to enhance guests' experience when they enter the hotel," Van der Reijden said. "We are continuously seeking ways to exceed the demands of our guests who are visiting our hotel and restaurant."

The primarily glass porte cochere creates a comfortable environment for guests in all seasons by providing covered area for vehicles at the entrance of the hotel. The glass will maintain natural light at the entrance, and fans and heaters will be used to control the temperature throughout the year.

Adding the porte cochere also completes another step toward the hotel's goal of an elevated service level to be considered in the top 5.7 percent of 28,000 hotels approved by AAA to make the Four Diamond List. AAA defines Four Diamond hotels as "refined and stylish, providing upscale physical attributes, extensive amenities and a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail."

Renovations are ongoing inside the conference center to update the ballrooms and pre-function meeting space. The hotel is adding capacity to the main ballroom, as well as functionality that allows both ballrooms to connect. New technology additions, which include electronic displays outside each meeting room, are being added to keep guests informed on pertinent information related to their event and the hotel.

To accommodate the temporary closure of the ballrooms, a marquee has been erected in the parking lot. The marquee mimics the size of the two existing ballrooms, as well as the Terrace Room and the Governor's Room, allowing for four events to be held simultaneously. The structure features 28-foot ceilings, climate control, hardwood floors and chandeliers.

The renovations to The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center are expected to be completed by late November.

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