New Crowne Plaza Hotel

The Crowne Plaza Hotel Los Angeles-Commerce Casino, which officially opened Oct. 24, 2001, is presently garnishing much attention and interest in poker-playing circles worldwide. The new nine-story structure was built immediately adjacent to Commerce Casino's original facility, seamlessly incorporating the casino's main floor and new high-limit poker area directly opposite the hotel's grand staircase and main entrance. Reminiscent of an Assyrian palace, the hotel represents one of Commerce Casino's most significant developmental milestones since the casino first opened for business in 1983.

"We are thrilled to be bringing a first-class showplace to the Los Angeles area. This property was designed to provide the look, feel, and excitement of a Las Vegas experience in the heart of Southern California. Quite often the expectations set forth in artists' renderings are so idealized that the real thing pales by comparison; however, that is not the case with this property. The real-life grandeur of this hotel actually surpasses the artist's pen and imagination," said Joseph Zarrahy, general manager of Crowne Plaza Los Angeles-Commerce Casino.

According to Zarrahy, there is a definite "wow" factor for first-time guests. "No matter what they've heard or read about the hotel, everyone who visits us seems to be awestruck by what they see. The owners insisted on upgrading beyond Crowne Plaza's normal high standards across the board. This property is now considered the showpiece – or 'crown jewel' – for Crowne Plaza and our management company," he stated.

Aside from aesthetics, such as marble floors, grandiose sculptures, giant pillars, cascading waterfalls, lush foliage, plush carpets, luxurious in-room appointments, and Feng Shui design compliance throughout, hospitality is being heralded as the cornerstone of the hotel's commitment to its customers, according to Zarrahy.

"It's one thing to build a remarkable facility; it's quite another thing to operate it remarkably. Fortunately, both Commerce Casino and Crowne Plaza Hotel share the same goal with respect to service. As stated in our mission statement, we strive to provide the most memorable guest experience in the hospitality and gaming world. Our objective is to meet and exceed our guests' expectations by providing the highest standards of service, product quality, and value," Zarrahy remarked.

"The keys are teamwork and commitment," he added. "Each of our departments, ranging from sales and catering to food and beverage, is staffed by specially trained service professionals."

Commerce Casino Vice President/Operations Jim Barbo remarked, "Our multidimensional approach to service is best represented by the way that the hotel and casino work together for the benefit of our customers. In other words, each department throughout the entire property works in conjunction with one another. The result is a mutually supportive organization in which everyone works together for the greater good: customer satisfaction.

"We are looking forward to offering new and existing customers, as well as our tournament participants, the convenience and ambiance of an on-site hotel. We have no doubt that the hotel will reach full capacity during the L.A. Poker Classic 2002, and would like to advise interested players to make their reservations immediately, as space is limited," he added.

While Commerce Casino is credited with having one of the largest and busiest poker sections in the industry, the Crowne Plaza Hotel at Commerce Casino offers players many added conveniences and a wealth of customer amenities. The full-service hotel has 200 luxury rooms/suites with standard features that include hospitality bars, microwaves, coffee makers, in-room safes, three telephones, voice mail, data port with high-speed Internet access and wireless keyboards, 27-inch televisions with pay-per-view and electronic games options, complimentary newspaper services, and room service. The top two floors constitute the hotel's Club Level, featuring a private lobby lounge, complimentary continental breakfast and evening hors d'oeuvres, and in-room Jacuzzi-type whirlpool tubs. Other amenities include Splash, a full-service spa and beauty salon, health and fitness facility, swimming pool, Moiselle boutiques for men and women, Eden Restaurant, and Arena Sports Bar & Grill with live sports coverage via satellite on multiple large-screen TVs.

In addition to poker, blackjack, and California games players, the Crowne Plaza Hotel at Commerce Casino is targeting the travel industry and corporate market, offering over 23,000 square feet of versatile special events facilities/meeting and conference room space, including the elegant Crowne Ballroom and 3,000 square feet of outdoor patio area. In fact, the Crowne Ballroom ranks as the third largest ballroom facility in the immediate Los Angeles area, boasting over 13,600 square feet of "pillar-free" space with a professional stage, lighting, and sound system.

Barbo concluded, "With the opening of the hotel, Commerce Casino now has the ideal vehicle to enter the international market with respect to gaming and hospitality. We don't see the opening of the hotel as the conclusion of a dream, but rather as the beginning of a new venture for Commerce Casino."

Under the umbrella of the hotel's parent company Six Continents Hotels, patrons can access immediate reservation information through Holidex, a central reservation line, at (800) 2-CROWNE. Six Continents Hotels has 2,787 hotels worldwide. To make hotel reservations for the L.A. Poker Classic 2002, call the Crowne Plaza Los Angeles-Commerce Casino directly at (323) 728-3600, or log on to www.crowneplazacommerce.com.