Selected
Article:
Luxury
hotel opens in Greenwood
The
Alluvian sets a new standard
BY Ken Wilbanks
DBJ Contributing Writer
A historically
significant structure has been reintroduced to the delight
of local residents and visitors to the Mississippi Delta.
The Alluvian, touted as both “a cosmopolitan hotel
deep in the Delta” and “a seductive alternative
to the ordinary” opened May 1 at 318 Howard Street
in downtown Greenwood.
“It’s gone absolutely wonderful. We’ve
been so busy,” says General Manager Jondi Brackeen.
“We have had a full house all week–meetings,
dinners, wedding rehearsals. We’ve been rolling. The
first two weeks we’ve accomplished what we wanted
to.
“People are just blown away. They can’t believe
there’s a facility like this in Greenwood.”
An historic preservation project of Greenwood-based Viking
Range Corporation, the former Hotel Irving has undergone
a two-year total redesign and renovation. The Alluvian features
45 guest rooms and five suites. Among the amenities are
three meeting areas, an interior courtyard, a large fourth-floor
terrace, “a beautiful lobby” and a fitness room
“that has all your high-tech fitness equipment featuring
a flat screen TV and DVD on each piece of equipment,”
says Brackeen. Giardina’s Restaurant, a Delta landmark,
“will be open in a couple of weeks,” she says.
“Some of our guests have said they’ve traveled
all over the world and this hotel stands up to any of them,”
says Brackeen.
Former Greenwood resident Bevo McCullough, a history and
geography enthusiast now living in Murphreesboro, Tenn.,
suggested naming the hotel The Alluvian. The name was chosen
because it so accurately reflects the historical and cultural
connection of the land and agriculture to the people of
the area.
Fred Carl Jr., Viking president and CEO, says The Alluvian
“will not just be a place for Viking dealers and visitors
to stay when they are in Greenwood.
“We want this to be a destination property and hope
to create something unique that will make people want to
come here,” Carl says. “We felt very strongly
that this would be great for downtown Greenwood and that
it was something we should do from a community pride standpoint.”
Helping the community is something Viking finds “very
rewarding and fulfilling,” says Dale Persons, vice
president–public affairs. “We think it is important
for us to preserve downtown Greenwood and we are committed
to doing whatever possible to do so.”
Joining Brackeen on The Alluvian’s management staff
are Bae Cascio, assistant general manager; Dolly Whitman,
sales and event manager; David Crews, chef/director of food
and beverage; Cindy Elmore, director of housekeeping; and
Larry Carver, chief engineer.
“We anticipate The Alluvian being a unique destination
in the Mississippi Delta, serving as a gathering place for
locals and visitors alike,” says Brackeen. “We
look forward to providing our guests with the highest levels
of courteous, professional service and true Southern hospitality.”
For reservations, call 866-600-5201 or 662-451-1180. DBJ
