Winchester, VA: The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Winchester, an 85 guest room (22 executive suites) hotel, is unveiling to the public its smart, inventive public space and guest room design. With a new natural design the renovation took over three months and cost in excess of $1 million.

“We are excited to be able to put a fresh look and feel to our awarding winning hotel on Rt.522,” said Jason Aikens, Vice President of the Aikens Group, “In addition, the investment of over $1 million also created over 20 much needed jobs for our community,” he continued. With seven area hotels, the Aikens Group is leading the way with modernized hotels for Winchester’s growing corporate and leisure travelers.

Carolyn Brown, Manager for the Hotel, stated that in addition to new wall and floor coverings that offer a vibrate and modern look, the hotel has created Winchester’s signature “smart” room décor that features a well-designed work area with an ergonomic chair, energy saving fridge, microwave and task lighting, along with additional electrical outlets where guests need them for today’s mobile devices. The new look for the property which features high design and décor also extends to an expanded Hot Deluxe Breakfast, a 24/7 Corner Market with snacks and drinks as well as the latest in fitness equipment. “Our guests love the new look and feel,” said Brown, “in fact, the energy level at our Hotel is exciting,” she stated.

Founded in 1931, the Aikens Group has served its community and expanded its services to include commercial building, commercial leasing, land development, commercial real estate, crane rental services, hotel development, and residential rental properties. To learn more, visit www.AikensGroup.com.

Winchester, Virginia: The Aikens Group of Winchester, a leading hospitality, residential and construction leader recently announced the hiring of Ben Weber as their new Director of Sales for three of its hotel properties in Winchester, Stephens City and Front Royal. “We are pleased to have Ben join our team,” said Jason Aikens, Vice President of Aikens Group, “his past experience in marketing and promotion will be most beneficial as we continue to grow in our market in the coming years,” he continued.

Weber, a sitting member of the Winchester City Council has been in the marketing and publishing business for over 22 years. “I am pleased to be able to work with an organization with not only a solid track record of success, but with strong family values,” said Weber.

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Founded in 1931, the Aikens Group has served its community and expanded its services to include commercial building, commercial leasing, land development, commercial real estate, crane rental services, hotel development, and residential rental properties. To learn more, visit www.AikensGroup.com

H&W Construction Company, a subsidiary of Aikens Group, has provided quality construction services of residential and commercial properties for over 80 years. H&W was seeking a new web presence to showcase their expansive portfolio of construction products as well as provide advanced functionality for interacting with their contractors. JCI, of Winchester, was able to create a custom website complete with the desired functionality and further enhance the H&W brand. We encourage you to take a moment to look at the new H&W Construction website to learn more about our products and services.

WINCHESTER, Va., March 4, 2013 – The Hampton Inn Winchester-North and Conference Center, an Aikens Group property, announced the completion of its newly renovated lobby space. The layout follows the hotelier’s Perfect Mix Lobby design, featuring unique amenities to enhance the Hampton guest experience.

“The new lobby offers just the right balance of different seating options to meet a variety of needs,” said Cindi Rampulla, GM of the Hampton Inn Winchester-North. “Friends and family can hang out at the large community table, while business travelers can find a quiet corner to check emails and return calls.”

Designed by The Classic Touch, in Winchester VA, each zone of the lobby - the welcome desk, breakfast serving and dining areas - is intended to create an inviting space that ultimately becomes an extension of the guest room and promotes socialization.

A mix of comfort and utility seating styles are available to accommodate both business and leisure travelers. The community table with bar-height stools, for instance, offers space for groups to gather or for individuals to go to feel connected while traveling solo. Cozy lighting and contemporary original artwork complete the look, speaking to the spirit of the Hampton brand and the Winchester-area.

There are eight core design areas of the Hampton Inn Winchester- North’s Perfect Mix Lobby, including: the front desk, coffee serving table, community table and pendant lighting, dining seating, soft seating, focal wall, breakfast serving area.

For further information or to make reservations at the Hampton Inn Winchester- North, please visit www.hampton-inn.com/hi/winchester-north.com or call 540-678-4000.

About Aikens Group

Based in Winchester VA, the Aikens Group is a premier development firm in the Blue Ridge Shenandoah Valley. The Aikens Group serves the Interstate 81 and Interstate 66 corridors from Martinsburg WV to Strasburg, VA. Services include commercial building, commercial leasing, land development, commercial real estate, crane rental services, hotel development, and residential rental properties. For more information on the Aikens Group visit www.AikensGroup.com.

The Aikens Group is currently looking to hire three individuals to join their Hotel Management team, a General Manager and two Hotel Sales Managers.

The General Manager will oversee the operations of the Comfort Inn located in Martinsburg, WV. The hotel has 109 rooms and over 5,000 square feet of banquet space. This key position manages all sources of revenue and expenses including the rooms, housekeeping, food and beverage, and engineering. This individual is to ensure all departments are profitable and maintain strong working relationships.
The fortunate applicant will oversee a staff of 20, be actively involved in an 18 month hotel renovation, and will need to be engaged civically in the community. For more information on the Comfort Inn visit http://aikensgroup.com/go/listings/hotels/west-virginia/martinsburg/1872-edwin-miller-blvd/comfort-inn/14/.

Each Hotel Sales Manager will be responsible for maintaining business relationships with two hotels owned by the Aikens Group. The positions will be filled in Martinsburg, WV and Winchester, VA. The Sales Manager will manage accounts to achieve guest satisfaction. These individuals will be responsible for soliciting new group sales accounts, entertaining, and building strong relationships with existing accounts to meet and exceed revenue goals. For more information on the properties the Hotel Sales Managers would be marketing visit http://aikensgroup.com/go/listings/hotels/.

Competitive salary, vacation and holiday pay, 401k and health benefits are offered. Please email resumes to Jason@aikensgroup.com or fax to (540) 723-4937. For General Information on the Aikens Group visit www.aikensgroup.com.

Stony Pointe offers you a beautifully and graciously appointed apartment community designed to meet your needs. We feature a tastefully equipped gourmet kitchen with built-in microwave oven, self-cleaning electric range, dishwasher, disposal, and a refrigerator/freezer with icemaker. Each apartment has a full size washer and dryer, two bedrooms, two full baths, mini blinds, a deck or patio, and spacious living quarters with large closets, and a storage area.

Your apartment is cable ready and has high-speed internet access available. Stony Pointe provides economical gas heat and central air conditioning. You may also choose such items as dens, and/or fireplaces and vaulted ceilings.

The community currently has a fitness center, a basketball court, barbeque grills, and picnic tables. Amenities such as water, sewer, and trash removal are included with your rent.

You will enjoy the carefree lifestyle within your residence for we are well recognized for maintaining a clean, safe environment in which you will be proud to call home. We do not accept pets of any kind or size.

Phone 304-283-8631 to schedule an appointment to view these beautiful apartments. You will appreciate living in an apartment that is very new. We have the most spacious apartments in the area and we often have monthly specials. Phone to see what is going on this month. I look forward to meeting you.

These beautiful, new apartments are ready for you to enjoy.

Winter special rates start at $850.00 per month!

Check out Stony Pointe Apartments

Berkeley Commons is a brand new professional office complex adjacent to Aikens Center on Edwin Miller Boulevard in Martinsburg, West Virginia.  Scheduled to be completed December 2012 to early 2013, this new building offers tenants the opportunity to design their own offices with multiple office suites available with private kitchens and restrooms depending on tenants needs.

It will consist of three floors with approximately 7,500 of office space per floor. Office spaces will range from 1000 up to 7,500 depending on tenants needs.

Architectural Drawing

Berkeley Commons will be part of a vibrant center for commerce in Martinsburg.  Some of our tenants include the Comfort Inn, Valley College, law firms, banks and mortgage companies, restaurants, and many other dynamic businesses.

Conveniently located off of Interstate 81, situated close to the soon-to-be-completed Rt 9, this location will not be available for lease long.  Parking is both convenient and ample for the tenants and their visitors.

Be one of the first tenants to move into this brand new facility and design your office the way you always wanted to!  An opportunity like this does not present itself very often. Act now! Email Andrew Nicholson, Commercial Property Manager or call at 540-667-3752.

This past Sunday, the Aikens Group showcased five of their hotels at the Winter Blue Ridge Bridal Show.  It was a “great show with a wonderful assortment of vendors, ” says Jennifer Seo, Director of Sales – the Hampton Inn and Conference Center on Berryville Avenue in Winchester, Virginia.  “I was happy to meet a variety of brides and hope to do business with them in the near future.”

Fairfield Inn King Suite - Winchester, VA

Jennifer Wood is the Director of Sales for the Marriott Fairfield on Route 522 North.  “It was my first year so a new experience for me.  The Marriott Fairfield has a unique geographic location in Winchester no matter which way you are coming into the city.  We offer suites with a variety of rooms types.  The Marriott brand has a loyal customer following with its excellent rewards system.”

Heather Merchant is the Director of Sales for two different hotels.  Both the Hampton Inn Front Royal and the Holiday Inn Express in Stephens City are newly renovated. “Both of my hotels are centrally located in the Shenandoah Valley directly off of Interstate 81 or Interstate 66.  The Hampton Inn Front Royal popularity is unique in that it is surrounded by golf courses and wedding venues. One of the pluses of the Holiday Inn Express is the flexibility of price points. This is popular with many brides and their guests, ” says Heather Merchant.

Hilton Garden Inn, Winchester, Virginia

Kristina Arntz, Director of Sales for the Virginia Division of the Aikens Group Hotels says, “The Aikens Group is unique offering the brides and their guests so many options both in room blocks and in venue locations.”  Based at the Hilton Garden Inn, Kristina is a veteran to hospitality tourism trade shows.  “The Bridal Shows are always exciting with emotions high. The brides are so thrilled to be planning their weddings. Our job is to look at what their needs are and then fit them to the best hotel locations to meet these needs,” says Kristina.  Are you looking for a hotel – Email Kristina today and she will direct you to the best hotel choice for you.

Sometimes a location just works for you. This is true for Valley College in Martinsburg, West Virginia.  Since their arrival in Martinsburg, they have been renting commercial space from the Aikens Group.   This has evolved one move as they expanded.  2012 is a year for changes and expansion again.  Tony Palmieri purchased the college in 2011.

The new President and CEO is delighted to be in Martinsburg.  “Our college offers short term career-focused programs which enable our students to move forward in their careers earning higher wages.  Valley College offers high customer service to our students not just in their course work but in preparing them for successful interview experience by employers so they are placed in jobs that offer more opportunities for growth.  We have very small class sizes. Our focus is on students within a twenty to thirty mile radius of Martinsburg.” says Mr. Palmieri.

“Having been a partner with schools in Florida which specialized in medical and business, I chose to buy a college in Martinsburg because of the growth potential I see in the Eastern Panhandle.  Valley College is evaluating employer needs in the region and will be expanding our certificate and degree programs to meet this need.  The goal of Valley College is to not only provide career growth for our students but to also educate them to give back to their communities.  One of the things I have found in West Virginia is a ‘great culture of caring’.”

With locations in Beckley, Martinsburg, and Princeton, a major difference between Valley College and other traditional colleges is that students can start their program within two weeks of enrolling.  They do not have to wait for a new semester.  We also have more than sixty-five percent placement success. We constantly survey our employers, and make adjustments to the curriculum to make sure we are preparing you for their needs. Medical Office Administration and Professional Office Administration programs can be completed in just 8 months. The Medical Clinical Assistant program can be completed in just 10 months.

Valley College at Aikens Center

Looking at his expansion of certificate and degree programs, Mr Palmieri has contacted Andrew Nicholson, Aikens Group Commercial Property Manager, for additional commercial space.  The Aikens Center has expansion space as well as we are building a new 30,000 square foot office complex in the Aikens Center complex.

Aikens Group is proud to have been involved with Valley College for twenty four years and look forward to providing them expansion opportunities as they grow in the area.

One of the hardest steps brides and grooms have to work thru when planning their wedding is offering accommodations to their guests that will meet everyone’s price line and desires. The Aikens Group Hotels make this easy.  With over seven locations on the Interstate 81 or Interstate 66 Corridors, the Aikens Group provide preferred brands at different price points. These brands include HILTON, IHG, MARRIOTT, AND CHOICE.

Kristina Arntz, Director of Sales – Virginia, says, “There is a great benefit to the brides and grooms who are blocking rooms for their guests.  Hotels can really not block more than 50 rooms to any one person.  They also really prefer to limit this to 25 rooms initially. By going with the Aikens Group, you have one sales contact who will be able to block rooms in several hotels.  You can select hotels with different price points so your wedding guests will have options. The end result is your busy life just became easier.”

“We have also found that the Interstate 81 Corridor is a great mid-way point for many families which is why the brides and grooms have selected Winchester as a central point for their weddings.”

No matter what the price is, the Aikens Group Hotels all have refrigerators, microwaves, fitness centers, swimming pools, and options for Breakfast.  Plus many have event party rooms should you want to also book your rehearsal dinners, receptions, and brunch the day after your wedding.

There is no cost to set up a hotel room block,  You can do as many as 25 rooms per block. The rooms will be held in your name up until twenty one days prior to your wedding day.  Kristina’s advice is for brides to block the rooms six to eight months prior to their weddings.  You can let your sales contact know earlier but most hotel brands do not allow the rooms to actually be blocked prior to this time.

For Virginia Guests -you have four hotels to select from -

Hilton Garden Inn is the newest Aikens Group hotel. Offering 102 rooms with amenities and services unique to the Hilton Garden chain, these hotels known for being small full service hotels with a restaurant and bar service.  The American Grill in Winchester is recognized for its outstanding food.  As the caterer for the hotel, brides and grooms often have their rehearsal dinners and brunches at the Hilton Garden.  The banquet room is wonderful for eighty guests which also makes it perfect for a small wedding. Again, easy to get to off of I-81 at Route 50.

The Hampton Inn and Conference Center is located on Berryville Avenue the Route 7 I-81 exit. Not only are the 100 rooms wonderful with a hot breakfast included but the Hampton has a beautiful ballroom accommodating 250 guests as well as smaller rooms for more intimate events.

The Fairfield Inn and Suites is a Marriott property offering 85 rooms.  Many guests enjoy a Fairfield because it offers suites which have 25% MORE space than a typical hotel room.

The Holiday Inn Express is just down two exits on Interstate 81 South from the Hilton Garden.  Newly refurbished, this hotel offers 71 rooms and is a great price point for many guests.

The Hampton Inn Front Royal is great for guests traveling Interstate 66.  This is the first large hotel after leaving the Manassas – Centerville area and traveling thru wine country on Interstate 66.  With 102 rooms, this hotel was also recently remodeled.  It features an event room with seating for 72 for dinner.

For West Virginia guests – the Aikens Group features two hotels.

The Hampton Inn Inwood offers easy access off of Interstate 81  to your northern visiting tourists.  With 65 rooms, this is ideally positioned to explore the West Virginia Eastern Panhandle as well as the Shenandoah Valley.

The Comfort Inn is located in Martinsburg just off of Interstate 81. Similar to the Hampton Inn Conference Center in Winchester, this hotel offers 109 rooms as well as a ballroom for weddings up to 225 guests.  The convenience of having the event and sleeping rooms in the same complex appeals to many brides and grooms.  There are also four other event party rooms available at this location perfect for groups from 24 to 72.

VIP Brunch Event - February 26, 2012

Contact the Kristina for more room block information or visit them at the Winter Blue Ridge Bridal Show at Millwood Station.  Don’t forget the VIP Brunch Event prior to the show at the Hilton Garden.  Reservations are required.