Jan. 10, 2024

Some big changes are happening at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Brandon, designed to make the hotel a destination for travelers.

After removing an aging water slide — it went outside the building and back in — “we have major plans underway, and we are so excited to unveil our new water recreation area,” said Marybeth Anderson, director of sales and marketing.

“We will be completely updating the pool and hot tub, party room and interior of the pool area.”

But what she’s most excited about is a “gigantic playground we are installing that reaches toward our high ceiling,” she said.

“This thing is massive. It has so many different aspects of play on it — from slides to tunnels. It’s colorful. It will be on this really nice green flooring that will make it super safe for kids. Think the McDonald’s play area, except bigger and way more fun. This area will be so much fun for kids ages 2 to 13, so that’s really a nice age range we’re excited about.”

The 68-room, three-story hotel was built in 2006 and saw its last updates in 2018.

The pool area includes an upper deck for gatherings, and the new party room will open to the pool with a large window overlooking it. The pool area has been limited to guests since the hotel discontinued its day passes with the pandemic.

The hotel, which attracts guests from business travelers to sports teams, includes a 5,200-square-foot event center. It will receive a top-to-bottom renovation after the pool project is done.

“Everything from light fixtures to carpets, top to bottom. It’s going to really give it an upgraded, up-to-date feel that will make the bride and groom and families feel really special on their big days,” Anderson said. “We host a lot of weddings here in our event center, which means we oftentimes have entire floors of family members staying here, which is really neat.”

After that project is done, renovations will expand to the hotel’s breakfast area and guest rooms, which will receive a complete makeover.

A new roof was put on a couple of months ago, and the entire exterior will be painted soon. Renovations in the pool area are scheduled to be done in early February, and all the projects are expected to be complete in the next two years.

“That’s our main goal. We know it takes time, and the local contractors and businesses we’ve been working with have just been incredible. They are really efficient, and they’re right on track with our timeline,” Anderson said.

“In just a few short years, our entire hotel will be completely transformed. Brandon itself is really transforming, with the Brandon 90 Plaza being constructed right across Splitrock Boulevard, the future indoor rink and many other new constructions happening all around us.”