Nov. 22–OGDEN — For many years, it was a Marriott. Not long ago, it became the Summit Hotel. By the beginning of next year, the large red brick hotel in downtown Ogden will return to its roots and reopen as a Courtyard by Marriott.

“We’re grateful to have the Marriott name back and we invite the public to see the hotel,” said Summer Putnam, director of sales for Courtyard by Marriott.

Along with a different name, many changes are expected for the Marriott franchise at 247 24th St, which will be managed by Lodging Dynamics Hospitality Group of Provo.

The tower is closed and currently under renovation. The remodel is meant to showcase the hotel’s new focus serving the business traveler.

“From day one, Courtyard has prided itself as a brand that listens to business travelers,” said Callette Nielsen, vice president and global brand manager for Courtyard in a statement. “Today’s technology has changed how people travel. Our guests want a room that has purpose and flexibility that enables a seamless transition between relaxing and working. Courtyard is designed to offer them a relaxing and functional space to work the way they want to, when they want to.”

Courtyard by Marriott General Manager Ezequiel Guzman said throughout its 30-year existence, the hotel has drawn a lot of convention and business travelers. The management will be using the existing 17,000 square feet of meeting space as a part of the hotel’s new focus.

“We saw a need for not just a full-service hotel, but a Courtyard,” Guzman said. “A hotel that meets the needs of the business traveler. There is definitely that need in this market for that type of business.”

While the hotel will be focused on the business traveler, it acknowledges that many visitors will want to participate in the snow sports.

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The hotel converted the old human resources office into a ski drop-off and made deals with Snowbasin Resort and will continue to serve as a pick-up point for the Ogden Valley ski resorts.

In keeping with the Courtyard name, the hotel will lose the two-story west wing. The owners will knock down the section of about 100 rooms to provide a larger courtyard area and additional parking.

Guzman said the hotel expects to finish the newly remodeled tower by the end of this year. Demolition of the west wing will probably begin in the spring, once the weather warms up again.

Aside from future plans to remove the west wing, the hotel has already removed the Rocks Lounge bar and Canyon Fish Market & Grill.

A meeting area and lounge replaces the bar and a new cafe serving breakfast and dinner replaces Canyon.

Guzman said guests can purchase Starbucks products and eggs for breakfast, as well as soups, salads and sandwiches for dinner.

“The way restaurants are heading to now,” Guzman said, “they are meant as places where people can connect.”

With the remodel, the changes are noticed as soon as a guest goes to check in.

Instead of a long counter, guests check in at one of three pods. Guzman said the small desks force closer interactions between the staff and the guests. The staff must walk around the pod to present guests with their keys.

Right away guests will be greeted by a media center displaying usual information such as events in the hotel, but also news such as local concerts, weather, traffic and airline delays.

Upstairs guests can stay in one of the remaining 193 rooms, which feature according to Marriott, indirect lighting and a neutral, tone-on-tone color palette, which provides a soothing and calm environment.

With the redesign, the rooms also feature more USB and electrical outlets so guests can plug in their phones and other electrical devices, as well as larger bathrooms, which Guzman said required extensive reworking of the plumbing.

“It’s a lot friendlier for the user of the hotels,” Guzman said. “This is the latest and greatest Courtyard design. Part of the reason they keep coming back is they know what to expect. They know it’s a room that works and it’s not a surprise every time they go somewhere.”

Through the renovations, the Summit Hotel’s west wing remains open.

Once the name change becomes official, Putnam said the hotel plans to hold a grand opening at the end of February.

Marriott.com is already taking reservations beginning in February.

Contact Jesus Lopez Jr. at 801-625-4239 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @jesuslopezSE and like him on Facebook at facebook.com/JesusLopezSE.