Five Questions With: David McKeon

David McKeon is the newly named general manager of the Fairfield Inn & Suites Providence Airport, a holding of the Cranston-based Procaccianti Cos. The former Comfort Inn Warwick, the hotel received a substantial renovation in its conversion to the new brand. McKeon responded to several questions posed by the Providence Business News about his new role and the property.

PBN: Give us an overview of the size of the hotel and its amenities. 

MCKEON: The Fairfield Inn & Suites Providence Airport is one of the largest Fairfield-branded properties in North America. We offer 202 brand-new, completely renovated rooms, each of which is equipped with large flat-panel televisions that offer streaming services such as Netflix. We also offer a complimentary breakfast to every guest every morning, a fully equipped fitness center and a full-service bar.

PBN: The hotel has a covered access – a breezeway – that connects to the airport. How are you marketing this? 

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MCKEON: We want to be sure our guests have options, so along with our complementary airport shuttle, we are excited to be the only property in the state that is actually “connected” to T.F. Green Airport. Of course, we are including this information in all of our marketing programs, but we are also fortunate enough to have fixed signage within the airport that will guide arriving guests to the breezeway.

PBN: Who are the visitors most likely to stay at a hotel adjacent to the airport? Give us an idea of who your customer will be. 

MCKEON: Given our “connection” to the airport, it is safe to say that Marriott-loyal travelers will form our initial guest base. However, given our size, fitness center, bar (Hanger No. 1) and Warwick location, I feel we have a lot to offer guests coming into the area. Whether doing business at the airport, checking out our great universities or attending meetings in Warwick or Providence, we offer plenty of options for everyone.

PBN: You have two meeting rooms. Many other hotels have meeting space, so wondering here how you are distinguishing yourself from competitors. 

MCKEON: The greatest asset to our meeting space is both its flexibility and privacy. The space can be designed to fit the varied needs of groups. Boardroom or classroom, we can accommodate various types of small groups. It is also located within the hotel and away from the lobby. This way, groups can have some privacy while conducting business.

PBN: You previously were director of room operations at the Renaissance Providence Downtown. How do they differ from each other? 

MCKEON: Both are excellent properties. I enjoyed my time working at the Renaissance in downtown Providence, and I was thrilled to be presented with the opportunity to lead operations here at the Fairfield.

Obviously, every hotel is different, whether those differences are seen in room rates, amenities or anything else in between. But at the end of the day, my job – and my colleagues’ job – is to provide our guests with a positive experience. The Fairfield brand is about providing guests with an easygoing environment where they can accomplish whatever they need to get done with friendly service and the assurance of a Marriott brand.

Mary MacDonald is a staff writer for the PBN. Contact her at macdonald@pbn.com.