Why Warren County is opening hotels at a furious pace

Warren County visitors drawn by existing attractions have led to three new hotel openings this summer, and several more are on the way.

“As our visitation numbers increase, so does our demand for quality lodging,” said Scott Hutchinson, director of marketing and communications for the Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Places and events such as Kings Island, the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament and the Ohio Renaissance Festival lead county tourism. With Kings Island’s new coaster and the Warren County Sports Park at Union Village expected to open in 2020, hotels are anticipating a boost.

Warren County’s tourism industry generates an economic impact of more than $1.2 billion each year for the local economy, he said.

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“This new wave of hotels is going to give us the capacity and flexibility we need to drive that number even higher,” Hutchinson said.

Three new hotels opened in Warren County in June. Residence Inn by Marriott Cincinnati Northeast/Mason is a five-story hotel with 106 suites and is Marriott’s extended-stay brand for business travelers. Located at 2511 Kings Center Court just north of Kings Island and Great Wolf Lodge, the new property features a contemporary lounge, a lobby sitting area, and a patio with a barbecue grill and fire pit.

Drury Inn & Suites Cincinnati Northeast Mason is an eight -story hotel with 187 rooms. The newly built property is the company’s second location in Cincinnati and ninth in Ohio. Located at 9956 Escort Drive in Deerfield Twp. near Fields Ertel Road and Interstate 71, the new property features more than 1,000 square feet of meeting and event space. It employs 42 full and part-time team members.

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Tru by Hilton also opened a 100-room hotel in June at 2720 Water Park Dr. in Mason and has 100 rooms.

In addition, a Comfort Inn on Senate Drive in Monroe is undergoing an extensive renovation as it works to change brands to Holiday Inn Express, the kind of upgrade of a long-time budget lodging option that experts say is rare in the hotel business.

Also being constructed in Warren County are three new hotels, including:

• Tru by Hilton in Monroe just north of Ohio 63 and Senate Drive. The four-story, 47,070-square-foot facility with 94 guest rooms, an indoor, heated swimming pool and a fitness center. A 24-hour market features local snacks, gourmet treats and single-serve wine and beer. Developed by Mason-based Crestpoint Companies, Tru by Hilton’s Monroe location is expected to open by next July and will have approximately 25 employees, Patel said.

• Courtyard by Marriott, which will open a 97-room hotel at 4753 Socialville Foster Road in Mason.

• A new Holiday Inn Express in Middletown next to the Hampton Inn that sits south of Walmart.

MORE: $15M sports park opening in Warren County

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