BLU-Tique Hotel reopens in downtown Akron

The BLU-Tique Hotel in downtown Akron has reopened after being closed for almost all of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The owners and managers of the 71-room boutique hotel, located at Main and Market streets, on Thursday celebrated the reopening with a ribbon cutting. The hotel had been open just two months when it closed in March 2020 because of the pandemic.

Partnership:Akron's BLU-Tique Hotel allies itself with Marriott as it plans reopening

The hotel is now a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, part of Marriott International. The BLU-Tique remains independently owned and is under management by Riley Hotel Group and with owner and developer Tony Troppe. The Tribute Portfolio, made up of more than 55 independently owned hotels, offers global branding opportunities and guest perks for the BLU-Tique.

The BLU-Tique includes an on-site restaurant and lounge, The I Food & Spirits. The I Food features hand-crafted cocktails and small plates, flatbreads, salads and more from Executive Chef Frank Zifer.

The hotel also has meeting rooms, including the 12-seat United Boardroom and the 40-person Improv Meeting Room.

Vision for block:Akron developer Tony Troppe has big plans to 'densify' downtown block dedicated to culture

The BLU-Tique is part of Tony Troppe's vision for what he calls the BLU-Zone in the city's historic arts district. Besides the hotel, the BLU-Zone includes the BLU Jazz+ club and other venues.