Ball State University visitors will now have more rooms to stay in when they come to Muncie after the construction of two hotels,
The Hampton Inn & Suites on Bethel Ave. opened Wednesday and Comfort Suites is under construction across from it. These establishments are a welcome addition to people visiting Ball State for orientation, homecoming, commencement and other various events, senior Kevin Christopher said.
"I'm sure my parents will stay at a hotel when I graduate," he said. "Anything that makes a trip to Ball State and Muncie more enjoyable is an improvement."
Muncie Visitor's Bureau lists 16 hotels and motels in the Muncie area.
Although orientation out-of-town visitor numbers are dwarfed by homecoming and commencement totals, many people visit Ball State during the summer, said Kevin Burke, who is director of university communications.
Burke said the Orientation Office reported last year there were 18 to 19 orientation sessions, each of which scheduled approximately 180 students. An average of about 250 parents also attend each session, he said.
Lynda Wiley, director of the Office of Student Life, said she was unaware of any previous issues with overcrowding in relation to a university event.
Burke said the university had not yet been in contact with officials in charge of the new hotels.
Jim Jacob, general manager of the Hampton, said he was excited to show off the hotel's features.
"We value Ball State visitors as customers, and we will give them the maximum customer satisfaction," Jacob said.
Jacob said the hotel was still in the initial stages of marketing to the Muncie community, but relations with the university were under way. After eight months of construction, the hotel is now taking reservations.
"Hampton is the 'lighthouse brand,'" he said. "We are the leader of the hotel industry."
Comfort Suites across the street is still under construction, and a representative could not be reached for comment.
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