New, local hotel sees surge of guests during Game Day weekend

SOUTH BEND, Ind. --- The new Aloft Hotel was fully booked for this game day weekend against the USC Trojans.

The hotel has 187 rooms in the 9-story hotel, all of them were almost completely booked Friday afternoon.

"It's very, very busy today," said Becky Fletcher, director of Marketing and Sales. "It's very, very exciting just being open for three weeks and we're heading off our first huge football weekend."

Back in 2015 was the last time the Fighting Irish hosted the Trojans at home, bringing in over 80,000 fans to the Notre Dame stadium. A market the hotel wants to tap into by providing the best service. And a number the University and city will most likely love to top, due to the nearly $18.5 million spent by football fans.

Fletcher said the hotel staff is on point, on their toes, and ready to rock and roll for a fun weekend. And for the first time, the hotel hosted a mini tailgate for hotel guests giving them the real Notre Dame football experience. She said the hotel will continue hosting these mini tailgates for the rest of the season only on Game Day Fridays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

"Really we're just one piece of the puzzle so getting them into the hotel getting them a great experience here then that just makes it that much better and the more fun they have out in the community,” Fletcher said.