Tara Melvin August 10, 2017
Tara Melvin Journey with us as we focus on our preferred locations to host your next soiree! Location, Location, Location! Our CEO’s preferred venues include Hilton Norfolk Main, Airlie, Four Seasons Baltimore, The Sunset Room, Four Seasons Georgetown, The Mayflower Hotel Autograph Collection, and the Mandarin Oriental. Each of these properties are superior in cuisine, guest accommodations, customer service and staffing, amenities, locale, and overall experience. First up – Hilton Norfolk THE MAIN in Norfolk, Virginia.
Hilton Norfolk THE MAIN is a one-of-a-kind Hilton property; a true beauty in a class all by herself! From your arrival as you walk through the glass doors, you are captivated by her high ceilings and modern architecture. Situated in downtown Norfolk, Virginia at the corner of Granby and Main, “She” sets the tone and stands as the premiere destination to relax, host luxurious soirees, and feast on the finest cuisine. The Hilton Norfolk The Main encapsulates all of the best features of a five-star resort all wrapped into one from across the globe. Her beauty is bold and stands 23 stories tall, and opening the doors to welcome her guests in 300 meticulous designed rooms, three phenomenal restaurants, a roof-top garden and lounge, 76,000 square feet of event space that can accommodate up to 1500 people. When you walk through the door, you don’t have to leave for anything, because it is all right there without asking – she possess all the characteristics of great hospitality!
I had the opportunity to experience “Her” earlier this year, and it was love at first sight! As a Planner, I get to experience a myriad of hotels and venue spaces and see every crevice these locations and what they have to offer my clients. And hands down, this is my all-time favorite location. Hilton Norfolk THE Main is superior in overall experience, cuisine, guest accommodations, customer service, amenities, and locale – you can’t get any better than this. My time spent, made me giddy, excited, and so in awe – “she” gave me so many emotions at once. I had the chance to reside in one of her luxurious suites, and had a floor-to-ceiling panoramic view of the Elizabeth River. The amenities in this room made me feel like a million dollars – the sensation everyone wants to feel when staying at a hotel or resort. The room surpassed every expectation and beyond. So, if my suite was this grand, how were the standard rooms? Well, nothing to laugh at – they were luxurious also and should not be called standard rooms. The only thing one might miss, would be the panoramic view that I had in my suite, however, you would not be living standard by no means.
When the time arose to feed my appetite, I was certainly in for a treat! I was able to experience and dine in each of her magnificent restaurants. On my first night, I enjoyed the happy hour scene with the locals and guests of the hotel at the Grain, Rooftop Beer Garden. From the large tree in the middle of the dining room, to the massive rooftop garden that overlooks the Elizabeth River, this eatery provided you with much conversation and a menu that’s not your average bar menu! And if you are a beer connoisseur, don’t worry you have an abundance of craft beers at your finger tips. The Grain is definitely the place to socialize in downtown Norfolk.
The Grain | Hilton Norfolk The Main
It doesn’t stop at just The Grain, my dining experience continued during my stay at Saltine and Varia! Varia is a sophisticated upscale Italian restaurant that lures you in with its modern decor, especially the infamous red piano and dazzling crystal chandeliers, to the infamous meatballs on the menu. Yes, the meatballs are just that good!
Then I ventured over to Saltine, and was greeted by its rustic chic decor – black distressed millwork, old-world detailing, mosaic tile floors, and with its huge barn doors at the entrance. Another upscale dining experience, Saltine provides you the best in seafood dining.
Saltine | Hilton Norfolk The Main
Our creative partners at Hilton Norfolk THE MAIN, adore the place they call home and invite you to partake in their hospitality! What will you experience when you arrive? “THE MAIN is a world class, modern, high-design destination that combines creative culinary experiences in our three signature dining destinations, with iconic architecture and an extensive art collection. Hilton Norfolk THE MAIN is beautiful but it’s our signature, anticipatory service has created an exceptional experience”, says, Linwood Campbell, Director of Catering Sales & Convention Services.
And when it comes to hosting events, “Hands down, Hilton Norfolk THE MAIN is the premier property in Coastal Virginia. We are the only IACC-Certified conference center in the region. We also have a catering and culinary team that that brings over 500 years of combined passion for the culinary and events industry to create and elevate the guests experience like no other venue I have worked at in my 30 plus years. The focus of our entire team is how to be a great partner with individuals on their events and be food stewards to ensure that what we do is a perfect reflection on the individual or organization we are serving”, Linwood Campbell, Director of Catering Sales & Convention Services.
“I knew when I interviewed with the Gold Key|PHR family that this venue would be special. But it is just not the building that makes it special. It is the feel of family and the amount of love, respect and passion that every single person with not just Hilton Norfolk THE MAIN but the entire company has for making us the number 1 hospitality company in the region and the world”, Linwood Campbell, Director of Catering Sales & Convention Services.
When it comes to the ultimate experience in hospitality, Hilton Norfolk THE MAIN, is our “NUMBER ONE” premiere property. Stay tuned for our next location in this wonderful blog series.