MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Nearly two years after breaking ground, the highly anticipated Hilton Garden Inn & Conference Center is ready to welcome guests. The hotel, located along the K-61 corridor near Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, will officially open its doors Tuesday, Oct. 28 — a milestone that local leaders say will revitalize convention business and strengthen the city’s position as a regional tourism hub.
“This is a hotel that Hutchinson can be very, very proud of,” said General Manager Nathan McClanahan. “The attention to detail throughout the project is something you’ll notice the moment you walk in. It’s truly one of the nicest hotels in Kansas.”
The Hilton Garden Inn features 112 guest rooms, including 72 double-queen rooms and 40 single-king rooms — a mix McClanahan said was strategically designed to meet the community’s growing event and tourism needs. The property also includes more than 14,000 square feet of flexible meeting and conference space, capable of accommodating conventions, weddings, and large gatherings.
LeAnn Cox, Vice President of Operations and Tourism for the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, said the hotel fills a critical need in the community’s hospitality landscape.
“It’s been quite a few years since we’ve had a truly upscale property to sell,” Cox said. “This puts Hutchinson back on the map for conventions and meetings that used to come here when we still had the convention center. We’ve already booked 12 events into the new hotel, with more than 30 additional leads in progress for 2026 and 2027.”
The opening also signals a resurgence in local tourism development. Visit Hutch partnered with the city to identify the best possible site for a hotel-conference center. A 2018 visitor study pinpointed the K-61 corridor as the most viable location, leading to a successful collaboration that secured the six-and-a-half-acre property.
Cox tells us, "So in partnership with Hutch Regional, they were great to work with. As far as acquiring that land from them, they owned those two parcels, six and a half acres there. This is, you know, the ideal location, and that's kind of how we got to that spot. It’s easily accessible, surrounded by major attractions, and perfectly positioned to draw in new business.”
While the hotel will open Tuesday, the on-site Old Chicago Restaurant — a centerpiece for both guests and locals — will follow with an anticipated December 8 opening. The restaurant’s breakfast service, required under Hilton brand standards, will be available immediately to hotel guests.
McClanahan said the project represents more than just a new lodging option. “Every visitor who comes to town spends money — in restaurants, shops, and attractions. This hotel adds to that economic cycle,” he said.
The new Hilton Garden Inn brings Hutchinson’s total lodging inventory to about 804 rooms, according to Cox. With strong early bookings and the anticipated draw of major events like the NJCAA Basketball Tournament, both McClanahan and Cox believe the new hotel will help ensure those events — and their economic impact — remain in Hutchinson for years to come.
“This property was essential,” Cox said. “Without it, we risked losing NJCAA basketball and other key events. Now, we’re positioned for growth.”
The Hilton Garden Inn Hutchinson opens to the public Tuesday, Oct. 28. Community members are invited to stop by for tours and event inquiries.