ITHACA, N.Y. – December 12, 2016 – The Ithaca Marriott Downtown on the Commons – connecting the worlds of leisure, business and academia in the picturesque Central New York destination – has opened on Monday, Dec. 12. Conveniently located on Aurora Street, Ithaca’s “Restaurant Row,” and just two miles from Cayuga Lake, the longest of the Finger Lakes, the full-service hotel comprises 159 modern guestrooms, an indoor-outdoor restaurant, fitness center, and meeting and event space. Ithaca Marriott is a joint venture between Urgo Hotels & Resorts and Ensemble Real Estate Investments.

The hotel’s stylishly appointed guestrooms will reflect the new Marriott aesthetic, with platform beds and luxurious bedding, wall-mounted 49-inch HDTVs, mini-fridges, multi-purpose surfaces, walk-in showers with handheld shower wands, and chaise lounges in king rooms.

Serving locally sourced Modern American cuisine with a Southern flair, the hotel’s signature restaurant Monks on the Commons will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, while options from Fresh Bites are made to be enjoyed in-room. A lobby shop will be open 24 hours a day.

With more than 2,300 square feet of flexible meeting space – including three meeting rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Commons – and skilled planning, catering and audiovisual services, the hotel will be ideal for a range of business and social functions. The largest venue, the Gorges Ballroom, will accommodate up to 175.

The hotel’s complimentary shuttle will service nearby Cornell University, Ithaca College and Tompkins Regional Airport (ITH). Restaurant Row is just outside the front doors, with Finger Lakes wineries, Cayuga Lake and thunderous waterfalls all nearby. Ithaca also offers year-round recreation, museums, a vibrant art scene, farmer’s market and seasonal festivals.

“My team of seasoned professionals can’t wait to welcome our first guests when we open our doors on Dec. 12,” said General Manager Cathy L. Hart, a 27-year Marriott veteran. “Ithaca Marriott will be the best-in-class hotel for this dynamic city in one of the most inspiring regions of New York State.”