"When Stapleton was open, we saw occupancy rates of easily 70%each night," Dermot Connolly, managing director of the hotel tellsGlobeSt.com. "But when the airport closed, our numbersplummeted."

The hotel has repositioned itself with a major renovation thatis nearly completed. Clearly, it has paid off, he says. Therenovation includes outfitting each room with data ports andupgrades to the 11-story atrium, restaurants, meeting facilitiesand fitness center. Connolly says occupancy has reached the samelevel as when Stapleton was open. "And it just keeps getting betteras we are on the gateway of the Stapleton redevelopment, thelargest urban development in the nation," he emphasizes.

Cleveland-based Forest City is redeveloping Stapleton into amixed-use development. Soon, construction will start on a retailcenter and residential component. Connolly believes hotels in theStapleton vicinity will reap their largest benefit when offices arebuilt at the former airport.