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News Release

Last modified: Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Indiana University’s hotel receives three-star ranking

Recent improvements include flat screen TVs, extended room service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 2008

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Flat screen TVs. Ergonomic desk chairs. Tone-on-tone 220 thread-count linens. Free wireless Internet.

These amenities are among the improvements to the 187-room Indiana Memorial Union Biddle Hotel and Conference Center at Indiana University Bloomington that recently earned the hotel a "three-diamond" distinction (out of five) from the AAA (American Automobile Association) Motor Club.

The rating is the highest possible ranking for the facility, which would need an on-site pool in the building and restaurant with a full-service bar, among other services, for a higher ranking.

Thom Simmons, associate director of the Indiana Memorial Union, said refrigerators and additional vanity areas were recently added to rooms to make guests feel more comfortable. In addition, the IMU hotel offers online reservations, room service until 11 p.m. and updated bedding and bath amenities.

"We want to be a competitive hotel and meet the expectations the public has for us," Simmons said.

The hotel even reflects some unique history: The Wells Suite contains a desk that originally came to the area by covered wagon, and several rooms contain early IU yearbooks.

Since the upgrades, Simmons says room bookings are up about 10 percent. "We're planning even more upgrades, so I'll expect that number to increase," he said.

For more information about the Indiana Memorial Union's Biddle Hotel and Conference Center, see https://imu.indiana.edu/hotel/index.shtml.

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