Situated on University Lake on the LSU campus, The Cook Hotel and Conference Center is set in one of Baton Rouge’s most scenic and iconic locations. Following the completion of a $3.1 million full renovation of all 129 hotel guest rooms in July 2017, the hotel’s interior rivals its external setting.

“The rooms are just beautiful. We’re offering a much more luxurious product,” says John Grubb, vice president of hotel and conference operations. “The renovations have been universally well-received from our guests.”

Renovations and improvements to the 16-year-old hotel include custom-made hardwood furniture with quartz surfaces; signature headboards and top-of-the-line mattresses; stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and ceramic cooktops; queen sofa sleepers with gel-foam mattresses; glassed, walk-in showers; and signature lighting, including a custom-designed Tiger-head lamp. Six to ten USB ports were installed in each bedroom, better meeting the needs of contemporary guests.

Owned and operated by the LSU Alumni Association—the only alumni-owned hotel in the United States—The Cook Hotel draws thousands of alumni back to the university each year. Guests include LSU academic, faculty and sports recruits. “We have a supplemental role in recruiting at all levels,” Grubb observes.

The hotel supports the nonprofit alumni association, which in turn supports the mission of the university. 

“Every stay makes a difference,” says Grubb, who has been affiliated with LSU as either a student or staff member for 34 years. “The revenue we earn supports student scholarships and academic enhancements for faculty and staff.”

The hotel and conference center bear the name of LSU alum and philanthropist Lod Cook, who provided the seed funding for constructing the hotel, thus providing the association with a continuing means to generate revenue and receive donations. “It’s what Lod Cook called a transformative gift, or a gift that has many returns,” Grubb says.

Despite the strong link to Tiger Nation, about 60% of hotel guests are not affiliated with LSU and include leisure and business travelers from across the world. “We’re open to everyone, not just alumni or those associated with the university,” Grubb says.

As Baton Rouge’s sole independently owned and operated boutique hotel, guests are drawn to the hotel’s emphasis on friendly customer service and the amenities it provides, such as an LSU alumni gift shop, free use of the campus bus line, proximity to lakeside jogging paths, and access to the world-class, 257,000-square-foot LSU recreation center.

The room rate includes a full continental breakfast, wired and wireless internet access, on-site parking and more than 200 all-digital HDTV channels including movies and sports programming.

The intangibles that the Cook Hotel offers keep guests loyally returning. 

A lot of people feel that the hotel is their home away from home without hassle, Grubb says. They are treated like family, so they return time and time again because the service is excellent.

The conference center is on the same property as the hotel. The 23-year-old facility offers 14,000 square feet in rental space across nine room options. This includes a 4,000-square-foot ballroom with additional space for breakouts, weddings, corporate meetings, retreats and other events.

Unique Cuisine, a long-time Baton Rouge-based company, serves as The Cook Hotel and Conference Center’s exclusive caterer and provides customized menus. “The gourmet food is outstanding, with choices to meet your culinary and budgetary needs,” Grubb notes.

“We’ve got strong demand at the hotel and conference center,” Grubb concludes. “2018 is going to be our breakout year.”