Country Inn and Suites Lincoln North is a newly remodeled full service hotel and conference center located at 5353 N. 27th Street that provides relaxing and spacious accommodations, an exceptional location and plenty of amenities. Marcie Ybanez is the Director of Sales for Country Inn and Suites.
Tell us a little about your business. – Our hotel was originally built to be an assisted living home. The owner passed away before the completion of the project and it was sold as a hotel. This makes us very unique. We have 11 different room types, including some rooms with fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, one-bedroom suites with a separate living room and a full kitchen that includes an in-suite washer and dryer! We are the only hotel on N. 27th Street with an onsite restaurant, the fabulous Beacon Hills Restaurant and Sports Bar. We also offer free wireless Internet Access along with a workout room, indoor pool and an outdoor hot tub, and an enormous amount of free parking–375 spaces!
How did you get started in the business? – I came to Lincoln in 2009 from Austin, TX. Prior to my arrival I had never been in the hospitality business. I was the Vice President of Sales for a Christmas Ornament Company called Christopher Radko and a Regional Sales Manager for another Christmas Company called Department 56 (Lighted Village Houses). However, I certainly stayed in enough hotels traveling all over the world to know what I, as a business traveler, appreciated and hated about hotels.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – I have always been able to sell anything, from a conceptual idea to a “why someone needs to spend their hard earned money on an $80.00 Christmas ornament.” When I came into the hospitality industry I needed to learn a different vocabulary, software programs, what RevPar means and how do I get it. I have always been very analytical so once I got a handle on it, I loved it!
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Setting my goals to go after pieces of business that others thought were impossible to achieve and winning at the end of the day. Our hotel strives to make sure that every guest, as well as every employee, has a memorable positive experience when they walk through the doors of our hotel and/or conference center. It is by doing this that we attract business that may not look twice at our brand because they think we are just a small hotel.
Tell me about your family. – My husband, Roger, works for Mutual of Omaha Bank in downtown Lincoln in their Mortgage Department. He also teaches golf, and that’s how we met. He taught me golf and sold me my first set of clubs. I have one son who lives with his family in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, TX. I have 2 super grandkids: Maddy is 13 and Tristan is 10. I also have a four legged family member: Max is 10 year old Bichon Frise.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I was on several game shows in the 70’s. Price is Right, Let’s Make a Deal (twice), Password and the Merv Griffin Show!
What are you most proud of? – My son. He was a great kid and has become an outstanding man!
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Kinja Japanese Restaurant
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – By phone at (402) 476-5233, by email at Marcie.Ybanez@countryinns.com, or visit our website at www.countryinns.com/lincolnne.