I made it to the Omni this evening and hung around for about an hour just walking around and talking to a few people. It seemed pretty busy with a VIP function and people like the mayor and Papajohn among others coming in around the same time as me.
Let's face it--this place is a gamechanger. Make no mistake about it. People were gawking all over the place. I spoke to a couple from Atlanta here for a wedding. They specifically wanted to stay at an Omni Hotel noting that there was one in Atlanta, but it was kind of old.
There is a certain panache and grandeur that is unmatched here in Louisville. That place clocks in at north of $300 million and it shows--total class. The food and beverage options under one roof are also unmatched in their range. The market is like a mini-mall with choices that are very reasonably priced for the average bloke. There is something for everyone, which was also noted by some of the employees I spoke with--hyper expensive and posh food and boutique items, down to regular priced items for the commoner like myself. It also carries a Louisville/Kentucky/Bourbon cachet that was well thought-out. I was simply awestruck by the whole package.
Let's just say in closing that Louisville just graduated from middle school and had its first day in high school as of Tuesday's grand opening of the Omni. (and that part of 2nd St's level of traffic will likely never be the same either for that matter!). There is simply no telling what impact it will have on the downtown. But it certainly will be noticeable in one way or another.