Deputy Mayor Barbara Miller, on behalf of Mayor Robert Lewis and the board of trustees, along with County Executive Thomas Suozzi and Long Island Convention Visitors Bureau President Michael Hollander hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in honor of the multi-million dollar restoration and renovation of the Garden City Hotel on Thursday, Nov 7.

"I am very excited to see institutions such as the Garden City Hotel continue to reinvest in Nassau County," Suozzi said. "These renovations symbolize that same renewal we need to make in Nassau County government."

This historic hotel dates back to 1874. In the past, the original hotel hosted US presidents, world leaders and internationally known celebrities, including Charles Lindberg (on the eve of his trans-Atlantic flight), former President John F. Kennedy, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones and Arnold Palmer.

Much of the renovation project has already been completed, particularly the refurbishment of the Polo Grill and the Polo Lounge. Miller extended congratulations to Cathy Nelkin Miller, hotel president, and Patrick Smalley, hotel executive vice president and managing director.

"The village is fortunate to have a five-star hotel right in the middle of its historic central section," she said. She added that she was confident that their economic investment would benefit the entire village.

Town of Hempstead Supervisor Rich Guardino, who also took part in the recent unveiling, said, "Tourism on Long Island is a $5 billion industry and this project will maintain the hotel's thriving business. The renovations to ... Nassau County's only five-star hotel will be an even stronger attraction to the area and benefit all our local communities.

"The Garden City Hotel has an historic and distinguished past and it is wonderful to see that its standards are being upheld now that we are in the 21st century," he added. "Surrounded by the elegance of this hotel, it is easy to imagine the days when ... the Vanderbilts, the Astors and the Doubledays frequented the establishment. The new renovations will ensure that this local landmark's future is as bright as its past."