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Fairlawn hotel owner again seeks to reinvent property, proceeds with costly renovations amid tough economy
By Paula Schleis
Beacon Journal business writer
Published on Sunday, May 24, 2009
At the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn, individual bathrooms are getting $20,000 makeovers, being doubled in size and refitted with imported Italian marble.
Meanwhile, guests are dining outdoors on the hotel restaurant's new terrace, a roomy-but-cozy nook featuring high-definition TV screens and a huge stone fireplace.
Seated at a dining table on the terrace, Rennick Andreoli thought about his multimillion-dollar investment for a moment and laughed.
It seems every major renovation he has planned in his hotel's history has coincided with an economic downturn.
But it's all good, he quickly added.
''We're in a position to come out of this recession taking market share from our competitors who haven't necessarily made the reinvestment in their properties,'' he said.
The drive to continuously reinvent his property has helped Andreoli become the world's longest continuous owner of a Hilton franchise.
The international chain confirmed that no one can match the 40-year milestone that Andreoli is celebrating this year.
When pressed about it, he can trace his interest in hotels to his college years. While studying business administration at Ohio University, the industry ''was always in the back of my mind,'' he said. ''I like being around people, the hospitality aspect, people serving people.''
He had some experience working in hotels and found them to be exciting places where surprises could pop up at any moment.
''Every day is a new challenge,'' he said. ''There is no typical routine.''
So in 1969, Andreoli and his late brother, Eric Friden, bought the rights to the Hilton name for a 150-room hotel they built on West Market Street.
Situated across the street from Summit Mall, it was a perfect loca
tion.
''Fairlawn was an upscale bedroom community and we thought this is where the growth would come,'' he said.
So when farmland just to the west started getting attention from developers in the late 1980s, the brothers smiled.
Quickly, the rural topography straddling the Bath and Copley Township border evolved into ''Montrose,'' one of the busiest shopping-and-dining meccas in the region.
''What makes a hotel successful is all the amenities that support the hotel guest,'' he said, including lots of leisure activities nearby.
But in addition to stores and restaurants, Montrose brought the Hilton some serious competition. New hotels popped up, all of them strategically visible from Interstate 77, whereas the Hilton was a mile down the road.
Andreoli's response: Grow.
In 1990, 30 suites were added to compete with new all-suite hotels in Montrose. Four years later, 18,000 square feet of conference space was added — something that continues to make the Hilton a popular business destination.
''At the time, it was a huge risk and we struggled with it, but in the long run, it turned out to be one of the best things we've ever done,'' he said.
Local following
Andreoli has cultivated a loyal following among many business icons in the Akron area. Goodyear, Smucker, Sterling, FirstEnergy and YRC are among companies that use the hotel regularly, he said.
''We have some wonderful companies in this city that we have worked very diligently to maintain long-term relationships with,'' he said. That includes having occasional focus groups with company representatives ''to make sure we understand what they need.''
Robert Cartwright Jr., a corporate regional manager from Philadelphia who comes to Akron at least half a dozen times a year, said he started going to the Fairlawn Hilton because of its location.
But even if Fairlawn proves to be a little out of his way, ''I'll keep going there because of the treatment I get,'' he said. ''Every time I've been there, it's been a positive experience.''
Cartwright was recently interviewed by USA Today for a business travel feature. And while the newspaper didn't name the hotel he talked about as his home away from home, he forwarded the article to Hilton staffers with a note that he was talking about them.
''I've seen a lot of changes there over the years,'' Cartwright said, ''and they keep things interesting.''
Some changes are motivated by Andreoli's own need to have the best.
Five years ago, he lured Beau's Grille — a restaurant with a 16-year history in the area — to the Hilton.
''There's a perception that hotels don't have very good food, and [chef Beau Schmidt] had a great following, so we brought him here,'' Andreoli said.
Other changes are mandated by the chain. Andreoli sits on a council of Hilton franchise owners who meet once a year to help determine standards that every hotel must meet.
But Andreoli said his real ''secret weapon'' for staying on top is his work force. The Hilton employs 150, all focused on exemplary customer service, he said.
''Our motto here is aggressive hospitality,'' Andreoli said. ''We kiss and hug those customers every single day.''
General Manager Tim Winter said 40 percent of the employees have at least 10 years' tenure.
''We haven't had to lay off anyone in this economic tsunami,'' Andreoli said. ''We, of course, have had some falloff in business but we're still doing exceedingly well and are one of the best-performing Hiltons in the country.''
Revenue is down
Andreoli said revenue is down about 8 percent year to date, but the industry as a whole is down 18 percent, ''so we're doing a better job of keeping our customers.''
While the Hilton might be the jewel in his crown, it's not Andreoli's only hotel.
His company, RDA Hotel Management, has owned or operated 25 hotels, some as far away as Tucson, Ariz., and Santa Barbara, Calif.
But when his brother died of injuries from a horse-riding accident in 2003, Andreoli sold off most of the properties.
Today, he still owns the Sheraton next to his Hilton (which he promotes as a single campus to lure bigger business events) and two hotels in Denver, and he operates the hotel portion of the University of Akron-owned Quaker Square Inn in downtown Akron.
The economy has tabled consideration for building a hotel in Montrose, Andreoli said.
''We'll probably grow the company through third-party management contracts,'' he said. ''We don't want to take a lot of risk right now.''
But as the new restaurant terrace and bathroom makeovers attest, that doesn't mean it's time to hunker down, he said. If he's ever tempted to slow down, he only need cast a glance toward his competitors near I-77.
''I get up every morning and look over my shoulder and say, 'Who's coming after me?' '' Andreoli said. ''You're never as good as you think you are.''
Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com.
At the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn, individual bathrooms are getting $20,000 makeovers, being doubled in size and refitted with imported Italian marble.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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akron, oh
Posted 10:03 AM, 05/24/2009
I can't think of a better place to have lunch or dinner. Beau's is fabulous. Every time I walk through the lobby of the hotel, I am glad I suggest my clients stay there. I have never heard any complaints.
akron , oh
Posted 10:12 AM, 05/24/2009
mr and mrs andreoli are two of the great citizens of summit county . leaders in business and giving to help those in need.
its too bad that they cant serve as congressman or congresswoman from our district or county executive .
they would lead our area to success .
they both have hearts of gold and believe in america .
Orrville, Oh
Posted 03:00 PM, 05/24/2009
Demanding consumers pay for the more stock dividends (money) Chinese, Foreign and Domestic Investors and Stockholders (money marketers) market quarterly in the wholesale and retail price of every product and service Hilton Akron/Fairlawn Investors and Stockholders need to renovate this Hotel.
Makes staying at this Hotel IMPOSSIBLE for nonunion parasites willing to work for fewer wages than they can afford life!
......, Oh
Posted 07:20 PM, 05/24/2009
@Loren:
I take it you don't know how to read, or perhaps comprehend what you're reading.
Beau's is a wonderful place to enjoy a nice evening away. I always put family members, and friends there to stay there when visiting from out of town.
Akron, OH
Posted 04:06 AM, 05/25/2009
Almost getting good enough for the mayor to stay in...
