Tru by Hilton, Greenville’s newest lodging attraction, is set to open its doors to guests Thursday evening.
The 84-room hotel that broke ground in July 2018 is a joint partnership formed by the Chawla and Retzer families — Suresh Chawla, Mike Retzer and Michael Retzer.
Sarah Ozbun, Greenville’s director of operations and project manager for the hotel, said she and the staff are excited to welcome their first guest.
“This opening has been a long-time coming. We are ecstatic to welcome our first guest on Thursday and even more excited to be introducing a new hotel to the market,” Ozbun said. “This is the first hotel that has opened up in Greenville in 11 years. The last hotel was Hampton Inn in 2008.”
What was a 14-month-long project after encountering several rain delays throughout the course of construction will soon be a budding centerpiece in the city for travelers looking for a fun, modernized hotel experience.
“One of the biggest draws to this hotel is the lobby,” Ozbun said. “We have so much seating — a pool table, the Eat and Sip Market, private nooks.”
There will also be alcohol, such as beer and wine, for sale on the property for individuals looking to have a “happy hour” experience during their stay.
The goal for the hotel, according to Ozbun and general manager Leah Spencer, is for guests to mingle in the lobby with other guests.
“It’s gonna be fun,” Spencer said, noting Tru is a unique hotel line that stands out from any other in the Hilton brand. “The whole goal of Tru is to get everyone in the lobby and just having that fun atmosphere.”
What’s unique about Tru is not only its socially appealing lobby, but the interactive amenities it provides, such as a pool table, hanging chairs and tablets that provide guests a sense of what the City of Greenville has to offer, such as popular restaurants, bars, happenings and other tourism interests.
In addition, there is an interactive wall adjacent to the elevators that is updated periodically and serves as a point of reference for guests who may want to know about events or attractions taking place in the area.
A stand-out feature of the hotel lobby is its Greenville-themed mural created by Jay Crum and curated by Indiewalls.
“What’s really neat about all Tru hotels is that no matter which one or where you go, each of them has a mural. It’s on the same wall, in the same place and it is your city’s mural,” Ozbun said.
Greenville’s mural is a favorited element of the hotel and includes depictions of Doe’s Eat Place, Kermit the Frog, the riverboat, Delta blues and even hot tamales.
The mural, Ozbun explained, can serve as a conversation starter among guests, especially those who have stayed at different Tru locations.
Even though Tru is especially attractive to the millennial demographic, it is accommodating to guests of all varieties — those with families, business professionals and seasonal occupations.
Ozbun said Tru hotels are based off of the Hampton Inn but the same clientele is desired.
“Instead of people going up to their rooms and we don’t see them, Hilton changed it to where the rooms are smaller and more efficiently designed,” she said, noting at Tru, the extra space from the room is utilized for an enjoyable lobby.
For breakfast, the lobby’s “Top-It” breakfast bar will include delicious offerings that range from cereal, oatmeal, yogurt and donuts to fresh fruit and even a waffle boat, which guests can top with a variety of tasty items to choose from.
When the breakfast hours are over, guests can head over to the lobby’s 24/7 “Eat. & Sip.” market to purchase a variety of snacks and drinks.
Tru’s innovative take on room amenities include dispensers for shampoo and conditioner, body wash, lotion and hand soap, which helps travelers from needing to pack more items than necessary.
This “revolutionary brand” of hotels has the newest amenities, high-speed Internet and Wi-Fi, and the updated technology guests are seeking in today’s market, Ozbun said.
The hotel also offers a 24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center.
“This hotel really prides itself on the amenities it offers,” Ozbun said.
With the upcoming Delta Hot Tamale Festival in mid-October, the hotel is already sold out for the three-day weekend event. By then, the hotel will have been open for just three weeks, which Ozbun said reaffirms there is a need and a demand for a hotel such as Tru.
Daily rates will be affordable, and it is the hotel’s hope to stay within the $119 to $129 range.
“We want it to be a place where you can come and stay a few days and not break the bank and that’s what Hilton wants too,” Ozbun said.
To book a reservation, call 662-378-2525.
A delayed grand opening and ribbon cutting event for the hotel is planned for Oct. 9.
