The first phase of a $15 million renovation at the historic Marriott Saddle Brook includes new guest rooms, a refurbished fitness center and a redesign of its indoor gathering spaces. — Courtesy: Marriott Saddle Brook Hotel
By Joshua Burd
The owner of the 244-room Marriott Saddle Brook has unveiled the first phase of a $15 million renovation of the historic hotel, a familiar sight to motorists in northern New Jersey.
Pyramid Global Hospitality on Tuesday said the property, located at 138 New Pehle Ave., now has new guest rooms with a soft, warm color palette and modern furnishings, amenities and technology offerings. Meantime, a refurbished fitness center on the first floor has upgraded flooring and walls with newly installed equipment ranging from elliptical machines and exercise bikes to weight machines and free weights, as well as complimentary headphones, filtered water, bottled water, fruit and towels available to guests.
Ownership has also redesigned the Marriott Saddle Brook’s indoor gathering spaces, which include six meeting rooms named after nearby counties in New Jersey and the 300-guest Grand Ballroom, according to a news release. That complements another 4,700 square feet of seasonal outdoor space for a variety of events.
Hospitality interior design firm DiLeonardo spearheaded the updates, which follow last year’s sale of the highly visible property.
“A new chapter for our historic hotel has begun as we proudly showcase a revitalized, contemporary look in our guest rooms, function and meeting spaces,” said Alejandro Cardona, general manager of Marriott Saddle Brook. “Phase One of our renovation catapults us to the top of the consideration set for our corporate and business guests seeking the convenience of a modern hotel in the metropolitan area, with signature amenities that cater to this segment of traveler.”
SLIDESHOW: The new-look Marriott Saddle Brook
Located less than 20 miles from Manhattan, the hotel dates to 1967 and is the second-oldest in the Marriott system, the news release said. It’s now among the newest hospitality venues in North Jersey, reflecting both its significance within the Marriott brand and the property’s connection to the area.
Upgrades also include a newly built atrium that streams in natural light, occupying the property’s former pool area and now providing a space for business lunches, social events, weddings and parties.
“Adding to the excitement of our almost 12,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor function space, our newly built atrium will be a sought-after location, especially for events around the Saddle Brook region,” Cardona said. “This is a bright new oasis for the hundreds of social events and weddings and meetings we host each year.”
The operator added that the redesign draws inspiration from the building’s distinctive architecture, which has a robust three-dimensional massing, a grid façade and undulating floor plates. Elements of the newly designed public spaces and guest rooms integrate geometric elements and are visible in areas such as the guest room artwork.
A second phase is slated to conclude early next year and will encompass a rebuild of the Marriott M Club, a new restaurant and a recreation of the Greatroom lobby space, the news release said. That figures to create a sweeping new offering for a facility that serves destinations such as MetLife Stadium, Secaucus, Elmwood Park, Hackensack, Fairleigh Dickinson University and Great Falls Park.
HWE: Marriott Saddle Brook slated for upgrades after sale to private investor
