The Charlotte Marriott City Center renovations are near completion and they’re spectacular

In addition to a new fitness center and upgraded and renovated rooms, the property will see a new restaurant, coffee shop, bar, check-in area and M Club lounge.

While the fitness center and rooms are absolutely impressive what excites me is the aforementioned ground floor.

Great room

I got to take a look around and was blown away by what I saw. It has been told to me since the beginning of the renovation that they have one primary objective: to be more than a hotel. I can say, they have far exceeded that goal.

When you walk through the main entrance on Trade you are greeted to the subdued but functional check-in area. The check-in area is no longer the centerpiece of the entrance, and for good reason. With mobile check in, mobile room keys and other conveniences, it is no longer the focal point.

Arrival

Instead your eyes are immediately drawn to the gorgeous lounge area and open kitchen and restaurant, named Stoke.

M Club

For this kitchen the Marriott has tapped Chris Coleman (previously of The Asbury) to head up its food and he will be collaborating with Todd Bayley on the cocktails. This level of talent alone shows they’re not messing around in that goal to be so much more than a hotel.

The coffee shop, Coco + The Director, is going to be quite the space when it opens as well. Aiming for the big city feel, they have delivered with an absolutely massive space, unique name and a few other tricks, this shop will certainly enhance the all important Trade and Tryon intersection.

Note: Some of those tricks include staying open beyond the 5 p.m. deadline when the ghosts come out in Uptown during the week, providing unique space for local vendors to sell their goods and tons and tons of seating.

I can’t comment enough on how well they did with this transformation (seriously, wait until you see the main chandelier). There will be another main entrance off the 101 Independence Center atrium (soon to be renovated too) and this entrance will allow people to enter directly to the coffee shop, lounge or restaurant. The goal here is to invite in people and have them not even realize they are in a hotel.

I know it sounds like I am gushing, but I must say it is well deserved. I had my reservations about the renovation: It’d be too sterile, too corporate, too hotel-y, etc, but boy was I wrong.

The bar has this beautiful wood ceiling, the decor is clean and modern and best of all the space is for Charlotte. It was designed with the Charlottean in mind. It wasn’t built just for hotel guests, it was also made for the city. And what is so cool is we have the future of the Marriott brand, right here in Charlotte.

Personally, I can’t wait to eat, drink and lounge in this place and it’s going to be ready sooner than you think. Stay tuned to the Agenda as it gets closer, we will have some fantastic pictures for everyone.

Connect with the Marriott’s new concepts

Coffee Shop: @Cocoandthedirector
Restaurant: @Stokecharlotte