Crowne Plaza Glen Ellyn: The New Emerald City

Tell Dorothy that the next time she gets swept up for OZ, she should first check in at The Crowne Plaza Glen Ellyn - Lombard, a brand new, gorgeously renovated "green" hotel. Located in the heart of Chicago's lovely Western Suburbs, The Crowne Plaza Hotel Glen Ellyn-Lombard is a chic and modern hotel, offering guests the latest in room technology, comfort and hospitality. The Crowne Plaza Glen Ellyn has also made many efforts to be a "green" hotel, with environmentally conscious construction and insulated low-E glass windows, hybrid guest transportation, high efficiency plumbing fixtures, and sun shade and sun screens.

On Tuesday October 28 the Crowne Plaza Hotel Glen Ellyn - Lombard hosted a fantastic event celebrating the grand opening of the hotel and restaurant, Glen Prairie. Hundreds of guests arrived just as the sun was setting to witness the celebratorial cutting of the green ribbon by Vicky Hase, Glen Ellyn Village President; David Friedman, president of F & F Realty; and Bill Mueller, Village President of the Village of Lombard.

Guests dined on appetizers prepared by Glen Prairie Executive Chef Ovanin, Dine Executive Chef Chris Turano, Karma Chef Robert Packer, and Birch River Grill Chef John Ayaleanos, and sipped specially prepared cocktails, including the Glen Prairie Cooler and a Green Martini.

A tour around the hotel began with a map, inspired by the film, The Wizard of Oz. Guests wandered throughout the 119 room hotel, stopping in to see the fantastic technology and space available in Meeting rooms, and viewing the ceder-planked arched ceiling enclosing the once-outside, now-indoors pool (you can still smell the cedar). Guests arrived at the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Glen Prairie restaurant, a gorgeous spot serving up comfort food with upscale twists (think: Bison Ribeye, Meatloaf with Crimini Mushroom Gravy, and Chervil Crusted Wisconsin Northern Pike served with Mac 'n' Cheese) with a focus on local family farm food sources. Many of the items on the menu actually list the name of the farm from which it came - perhaps to know where to send that thank-you once you finish your amazing meal.



The evening ended with a jaw-dropping entrance; guests passed a wall of flat screen TVs playing The Wizard of Oz and entered the "Emerald City". Crowne Plaza Glen Ellyn-Lombard's ballroom had been decorated with green crystal centerpieces, glowing green bar tables, an ice scupture carved to look like the Emerald City, and a curving, white table dotted with bite-sized versions of Glen Prairie's dishes. A mist rolled across the floor as music played and scenes from the Wizard of Oz were projected on huge orbs. It was a sight to see and a hotel to celebrate!

Crowne Plaza Glen Ellyn Grand Opening Photos

(all photos by Cindy Kurman - to download or view separately, please visit Kurman Communications MyCapture page)