Inn on the Square Signs With Clarion Collection

February 20, 2007 

GREENWOOD, SC – Uptown Greenwood’s Inn on the Square, a 48-room boutique style hotel, has signed an agreement with Choice Hotels International Inc. to flag the property as a Clarion Collection Hotel. Clarion Collection is an exclusive brand under Choice designed for independent and unique hotels, and represents a significant milestone in the 20-year history of the property.

As part of the branding, the property is undergoing close to a half million dollars in renovations, both inside and out.

“Our affiliation with the Clarion Collection brand is a huge step forward not only for the hotel, but for all of Uptown Greenwood,” says co-owner Louis Smith. “This is a corporate stamp of approval for our efforts and the area in general. Clarion Collection is a perfect fit.”

Funding for the conversion and renovations was made possible in large part through low-interest loan pools from two local development programs, the Upper Savannah Council of Governments and the Uptown Greenwood Development Corporation.

The property is the only hotel in Greenwood’s Uptown district, home to the Emerald Triangle, Greenwood’s core cultural and arts center, and is the only full service hotel in the county. The entire uptown area is in the midst of extensive renovations, including the recent re-opening of the Greenwood Community Theatre and the Arts Center at the Federal Building. Further renovations to the Museum of Greenwood and Maxwell Avenue are in the works, as well as the construction of a new Greenwood Public Library.

The hotel plans to complete renovations and go online with Choice by mid-April. Renovations began two weeks ago. The hotel will continue to operate throughout the process.

“We’ve designed our work schedule around the comfort of our guests,” says Smith. “They will hardly be aware that work is being done during their stay, though they will certainly appreciate the work once it’s completed. It’s a total upgrade of the property and services.”

The hotel is located at 104 E. Court Avenue on the corner of Main Street.