Niagara Gazette: Visiting the all-new Four Points by Sheraton

HIGGS: Visiting the all-new Four Points by Sheraton

By Norma Higgs
Niagara Gazette

July 11, 2011

Another new kid on the block. OK, this is not a kid. This is a 141-room hotel complimented by 8,500 sq. ft. of meeting and banquet space and loads of other amenities that will take your breath away.

I recently attended the grand opening of the Four Points by Sheraton and was totally blown away by what this family had accomplished when they took on the daunting task of remodeling and restoring the former Treadway Inn, later known as the Red Jacket Inn and Inn On The River at 7001 Buffalo Ave.

From the moment you drive into the spacious parking lot bordered by plantings and flowers of every color and continue to walk through the grand covered entranceway into the welcoming lobby, you will take notice of this place. Can’t help it — it is decorated to create a sense of calm after a journey and the feeling that all will be well, right here, right now.

It seemed just the time to talk to my Niagara Beautification Commission annual award luncheon committee about the possibility of booking our event here. Better than that, the Spotlight Award Committee beat me to it and announced they were presenting the July award to the Merani family. Eleven of us swooped into the public dining area last week and enjoyed a great lunch, each other’s company and the ambiance and welcome feeling of the owner and staff. And, we did not leave until we booked our event for Sept. 8.

Faisal Merani is the president of the successful Merani Hotel Group, operating on both sides of the Niagara River. He and his father Ashak Merani have been in this business for many years and it looks like they are here to stay as they will begin another adventure in remodeling and restoration this fall at 401 Buffalo Ave. More about that later.

Why would they purchase these two long-vacant and distressed properties and spend time, talent and money to bring them back? Once you look at them the words location, location, location comes to mind. Both properties sit at or near the beautiful upper Niagara River and the Four Points offers docking for boaters (Faisal said three 30-footers pulled in on Sunday), beautiful views and convenient locations for travelers and locals alike.

Rumors were confirmed in April 2010 and shortly thereafter the Niagara County IDA stepped up with a tax relief plan to assist in the planned $5 million private and family investment. The Meranis were not strangers to this side of the Niagara Falls sisters as they have owned and operated the Holiday Inn near the entry to Goat Island since 2005. Across the River they offer the Days Inn & Suites and Sterling, a boutique, luxury hotel, which includes a spa and the upscale restaurant AG.

The design and remodeling took 12 months of planning and hard work but the results are worth it. Faisal stated they decided early on that a patch-up was not in their best interest and decided to spend some money and make it nice. They picked the LaSalle location to get their feet wet as it needed less work than the downtown one. And “nice” it is, which is a modest description to say the least. The Four Points designation was the icing on the cake.

We all noticed the bar has been moved to the opposite wall, the dining area can be split for small private parties, the beautiful heated indoor pool is right where it always was and is now joined by a fitness center for guests. There are 141 guest rooms offering three different styles — two queens, one king and a king suite with a sleeper sofa. There is a bridal suite and weddings can be performed on site. Rates are on a competitive scale, with breakfast included and the restaurant menu is affordable. The wine list includes some local offerings and there are plans for special events.

The Niagara Beautification Commission is proud to recognize the efforts and dollars invested to bring this riverfront location just a stone’s throw from the Grand Island Bridge back to life once more. No more weeds in the parking lot.

The work will begin all over again at 401 Buffalo Ave. this fall when some demolition and redesign will begin. The ballroom will remain and plans include the circle dining room as well. The Merani family hopes to be celebrating another grand opening in 2013. And, we will probably be planning our 2013 Annual Awards luncheon at this location.

Norma Higgs serves with the Niagara Beautification Commission and Niagara Falls Block Club Council. Her columns appear Mondays in the Gazette.

 

To read the full article please visit: www.niagara-gazette.com/columns/x1227516228/HIGGS-Visiting-the-all-new-Four-Points-by-Sheraton