From tournaments to tourists, those are two, huge drivers of hotel bookings in the Erie-area, especially coming into the summer season.

This week's Giving you the Business report takes you inside a newly renovated hotel that has been in the same Erie County location for almost 20 years to see what it offers to all its visitors. 

This stand alone hotel opened in 2006. Kimberly Miller got her start folding laundry inside, 6 months after it opened, and never left. 

"I was at Mercyhurst. And I took a job third shift laundry. Because it was the easiest way to get everything done and still have time to study," said Miller. "Eventually I moved up to working the front desk from there I went into sales for a little bit and took over as General Manager in June of 2020." 

That's right, she is now the general manager of the SpringHill Suites Erie Marriott Hotel.

The hotel has been located here off Interchange Rd. for more than 15 years and has undergone two different renovations with the last one just a few months ago. 

"One was in 2014 and the other we just finished this past May. The most recent one was a facelift for everything all new furniture all new mattresses, all new carpet," said Miller. "Everything here is all brand new now." 

The hotel has a 50 person capacity conference room available for public rent, as well as a complimentary hot breakfast. 

All of the renovated rooms are studio suites. 

"They all have a mini fridge, microwave, and pull out sofa sleeper," said Miller. 

The recent renovation made way for 70 rooms with 2 queen beds. There's king bed options too.

The rooms are cleaned after every checkout and deep cleaned quarterly. This location is owned by Visions Hotels out of Corning, New York, and also recognizes the Marriott Bonvoy Program. 

Erie area events and summer tourism help boost bookings.

"May through September we sell out almost every night," said Miller. 

And Kimberly jumps in where needed.

"If the housekeeping team needs me than that's what I need to do," said Miller. "Jump in at the front desk, jump in at laundry, go up and clean some rooms. You have to be there for your team or why should you expect them to be there for you." 

This hotel, and all Marriott's are non smoking. Service pets are welcomed, and so is anyone interested in applying to join the team.