Clock Tower undergoing changes under new ownership

Staff Report

When Beltway Hospitality purchased the Best Western Clock Tower Resort and Conference Center in March, the Houston-based company had one goal: to provide a better experience for the guests. Now, four months and more than $500,000 later, that goal is becoming a reality as an extensive repair and renovation plan continues at the iconic Rockford hotel.

Repairs and renovations to the exterior areas were one phase of the improvement plan. Some of the exterior projects already finished include extensive roof repairs, repairs to cracked sidewalks and concrete stairs, re-striping of the parking lot, and landscape touch-ups.

Upgrades to the guest room amenities are also a top priority for the project. All 247 of the guestrooms will have brand-new flat-screen televisions and new, modern mesh ergonomic office chairs. More than 150 new shower heads, necks, tub drains and spigots were also installed, and new air conditioners, alarm clocks, coffee makers and irons were purchased for many of the rooms. In addition, furniture in all 247 rooms have been refinished, door frames have been painted, tubs and fixtures re-caulked, carpets shampooed, and more than 30 bath tubs have been resurfaced, to date.

Other areas of the resort that have been improved include upgraded Internet service throughout, new coin laundry machines, new water heaters for the laundry facility, and more than $6,000 in new linens and towels have been purchased. A new business center was also built in the main lobby offering upgraded computers, new printers and more privacy.

Just a few of the improvements still to come include new carpet and flooring in the lobby and conference center entrance, a designated corporate wing for business travelers only, new signage on the Clock Tower, and more refrigerators and microwaves for the guest rooms.

“Our staff has worked very hard at implementing the improvements to the Clock Tower, and we are very excited by the progress,” said General Manager Robert West. “The commitment from the ownership to create a better experience for our guests is evident, and the guests have already been taking notice.”

A grand re-opening is also being planned during which the public will be able tour the hotel and see the improvements firsthand. The date of the grand re-opening will be announced soon.

“We want to re-establish the sense of community with the Rockford region and resurrect the pride the citizens once had in the Clock Tower,” West said. “We’ll continue to focus on delivering excellent service every day, and with these improvements, the Clock Tower will continue to be Rockford’s premiere destination for business and leisure travelers alike.”

The Best Western Clock Tower Resort and Conference Center is also home to CoCo Key Indoor Water Park and Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery. The hotel features top-quality lodging, on-site dining, 30,000 square feet of flexible meeting and banquet space, and more amenities than any other hotel in the region.

Best Western Clock Tower Resort and Conference Center is at 7801 E. State St., at I-90, Rockford. For more about the Clock Tower Resort, call (815) 398-6000 or visit www.clocktowerresort.com.