The reason President Obama stayed at the Lawrence Holiday Inn?
It’s really quite simple, he had no choice.
With an entourage of more than 100 people, no way could arguably ritzier hotels like the historic Eldridge in downtown Lawrence (48 rooms) or shiny, new Oread overlooking the KU campus (99 rooms) get the job done.
Whereas as a convention hotel, Holiday Inn was up to the task.
And even at that, “They had to move a lot of people out,” says one Lawrence retailer who asked not to be named. “So when (Obama) stayed there, everybody else had to leave – they moved everybody to different hotels. We had people in the store here talking about that they had to move.”
On a more positive note, Holiday Inn Lawrence VP of sales Ivan Simac says the hotel was more than happy to accommodate the prez, albeit on less than a week’s notice.
“It was a lot of work for us to pull all this together, but of course it was a privilege,” Simac says. “I think that due to our size and our location right off the highway, we were the perfect location to fit their needs.”
And for those who may be wondering, yes indeed, the Holiday Inn Lawrence has a Presidential Suite.
“Yes, it’s called the Chancellor’s Suite, and it can be applied to a wedding package,” Simac says. “It’s (usually) only used for special people.”
People like former President Bill Clinton.
That said, commoners also may stay in Holiday Inn’s presidential suite – depending upon availability – for the tidy sum of between $229 and $299 per night.
“It’s three rooms together with a sleeping room, a living room, a dining room and a big shower and Jaccuzi,” Simac says.
President Obama’s activities at Holiday Inn ranged from room service to using the hotel’s workout room. The 9 hole put-put bit the dust on a previous hotel redo, but while the indoor pool remains, it went unused by the prez.
Any funny stories?
“No, actually everything went really smooth with the help of our staff,” Simac says. “I got to meet him though and that was a huge honor.”
That said, no autographs or presidential souvenirs changed hands.
“No, I didn’t get anything,” Simac says. “He shook my hand though, that was enough.”
Looking ahead, Holiday Inn will be even more ready to host the next President Clinton in a couple years – as in Hillary – Simac says. “That would be amazing.
“We are undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation that will be completed next year by the end of the first quarter. It will include all of the rooms, the meeting rooms, the lobby, the restaurant – and it will be an amazing hotel then. It’s a great hotel now, but will be even better on top of what we already have.”
WOW! The Presidential Suite (a.k.a. The Chancellor’s Suite) for just $ 229 to $ 299!
Reminds me of copy I once saw on a motel’s great signs: ‘HAVE YOUR NEXT AFFAIR HERE’
Touche….
Yes I too had fun with those Haskell girls in them notells
“It’s three rooms together with a sleeping room, a living room, a dining room and a big shower and Jaccuzi,”
– no word about any sniping due it not having a balcony…
I’m impressed that the dumpy Lawrence Holiday Inn has a VP of Sales. Is there a President of Sales too or does he report to the President of the hotel? Gee … now I’m impressed there is a President of the hotel.
Side note: KMBC went overboard in their coverage of the trip. I don’t think I’ve ever seen TV cover a Presidential visit like they did. The whole thing was a little obsessive.
To all fellow readers,
Please be sure to fact check any story written by Hearne Christpher, Jr. As readers you should be aware that Mr. Christopher’s articles are laced with both facts and opinions. Since there is not always a clear dilineation between the two be sure to independently verify claims made by Mr. Christopher.
There is nothing wrong with Mr. Christopher’s approach to journalism. He is free to write and publish as he see’s fit. This is his blog, and he undertakes the burden of maintaining this forum. He should be commended for this. However, I have fallen victim to believing too many statements as fact, only to later find that these facts were either blatantly wrong, or merely opinion. A tip of the hat to Mr. Christopher and his blog. Errors aside, KCC is a true public service.
Nice try, fact man…
This was all reported out – pretty basic really – and from an on-the-record source no less.
Which is why I had the highest read column in the KC Star for 16 years, a six figure salary plus expenses and nary a single lawsuit.
Oh and “thanks” for the commendation…
Sheesh!
I believe Holiday Inn’s slogan used to be and maybe still is “the best surprise is no surprise.” Try telling that to the folks who thought they were going to be spending the night of Jan. 21 at the Lawrence Holiday Inn because they’d made a reservation to do so.
Somehow a sign saying “Barack Obama slept here” just doesn’t quite have the same effect on me as one saying “George Washington slept here”. At any rate, it’s probably a good thing no one went around trying to put up some of these signs after Bill Clinton was president.
Swaine stated he switches vaping flavors therefore the Honey Pearry
taste he’s taste recently is a mixture of honeydew, pears and strawberries.