Courtesy Branson Hilton Convention Center Hotel
BRANSON, Mo. – It only took seconds for shards of broken glass to fly through carpeting, beds and furniture when a tornado smashed into the 12-story Branson Hilton Convention Center Hotel on Feb. 29.
Six and a half months later, the hotel reopened after repairing the $20 million worth of damages. Some 3,400 windows, as well as the hotel’s roof, had to be replaced.
“We were pleased that we are able to open the first eight floors of the hotel a couple of weeks early and will have the entire hotel open by the end of September,” said Bill Derbins, general manager. “We’re glad to be back, doing what we do best, serving our guests and giving them the best lodging experience possible.”
As repairs were made, the hotel also made a number of improvements, including energy-efficient window replacements and 220 refurbished guest rooms. The hotel’s restaurant, Level 2 Steak House, also reopened in its former location after temporarily moving to the Hilton Promenade Hotel at Branson Landing while the hotel was closed.
The hotel has 10 meeting rooms and two exhibit halls totaling some 220,000 square feet of event space. For more information, visit www.bransontourismcenter.com or the hotel’s website.
