Hotels are making their debuts across North America, from the first new hotel inside Grand Canyon National Park in more than 50 years to Atwell Suites’ new-construction prototype property.
First new hotel inside Grand Canyon National Park in more than 50 years opens
Travelers headed to Grand Canyon now have a new option for in-park accommodations. After its $35-million reconstruction by Xanterra Travel Collection, Maswik South Lodge is the first new lodging inside the park in more than 50 years.
Constructed in 1971, the original 90 rooms have been replaced with 120 new lodging units across four new lodging structures in the same general location. The 4.5-acre property features two types of accommodations: 90 standard rooms and 30 kitchenettes. The rooms now include private balconies and the buildings have elevators and interior hallway entrances.
Maswik South is in close proximity to Maswik Lodge where guests can access the Maswik Food Court, Pizza Pub, Transportation & Activities Desk and the Village Loop (Blue) park shuttle line.
The architecture nods to the original lodge constructed in 1927 by the Fred Harvey Company and the Santa Fe Railroad. The architects preserved the original stone pillars from the historic lodge buildings, while the interiors offer modern furnishings. The rooms are decorated with textiles inspired by Native American artwork of the Southwest. The interiors of Maswik South Lodge reflect the colors of the Grand Canyon: rusty red, sage green, tan, and ocher. Artwork in the guest rooms showcase studies of local fossils, after which each building is named, and a historic map of the Grand Canyon area.
Xanterra Travel Collection’s stewardship of national parks and long-standing commitment to conservation and sustainability informed the building’s design. Designed and constructed to the LEED Gold standard, the design includes the extensive use of sustainable building materials, high-efficiency lighting including outdoor solar lighting, efficient mechanical systems and plumbing fixtures, use of reclaimed water (coming soon), water-efficient landscaping and Dark Sky compliant lighting that ensures that the lodges do not interfere with the view of the night sky at the Grand Canyon. Amenities include electric vehicle charging and water bottle filling stations.
Working closely with Xanterra and the NPS project teams, OZ Architecture is the architect of record for the project. Kinney Construction Services from Flagstaff, AZ is the project’s general contractor.
Atwell Suites debuts Denver Airport property
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) and KJ Hotel Properties have opened the Atwell Suites Denver Airport – Tower Road.
The hotel is the brand’s second property to open this year following Atwell Suites – Miami Brickell, which opened in March. This is the brand’s first new-construction prototype property and features a two-story lobby and 96 studio suites designed with distinct zones for work and rest.
The property is located near Denver International Airport and is also close to many of the city’s major attractions and neighborhoods like the Denver Art Museum and Union Station in LoDo. Behind the hotel is the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, providing unobstructed views of the mountains from select rooms and access to the refuge’s many outdoor recreational experiences.
Best Western debuts four properties
Best Western Hotels & Resorts has opened four new properties across North America.
The four-level Best Western Plus Airdrie Gateway in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada features 80 standard guestrooms and three suites.
The property recently completed a more than $600,000 renovation to update the facade of the property, install new lighting and water features, as well as make additional upgrades. Amenities include electric vehicle charging stations, a 24-hour fitness center, guest laundry facilities and a 24-hour business center with complimentary printing, faxing and scanning. The hotel also offers a 250-sq.-ft. meeting room which can comfortably accommodate up to 10 people.
The property is located 25 minutes from Calgary International Airport in one of Canada’s fastest-growing communities, offering the comforts of a small town, but well within driving distance of downtown Calgary. The hotel is surrounded by historic sites, shopping and dining, as well as popular theater and music venues. Nearby attractions include Chinook Winds Regional Park, Calgary Tower, Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, Apple Creek Golf Course, CrossIron Mills outlet mall, Genesis Place and the mountain towns of Canmore and Banff.
The Best Western Sunridge Inn & Conference Center in Baker City, OR, offers 156 total guestrooms, two of which are suites.
The hotel just completed a $3.5-million renovation featuring updated features throughout the hotel. The resort-style property includes five buildings, an on-site restaurant and cocktail lounge, as well as an outdoor pool, a new spa and an upgraded fitness center. The hotel also features a new porte-cochère and offers free parking for guests. Additional amenities include guest laundry facilities, a playground, a 24-hour business center, conference and banquet facilities and more.
The property is situated off Interstate 84 located near the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Hells Canyon, Baker Heritage Museum, Adler House Museum, Glacier45 Distillery, St. Francis de Sales Cathedral and the Chinese Cemetery. The property is also 1.5 miles away from downtown Baker City which offers walking tours and a 12.5-mile bicycle loop passing through farms, fields and the historic downtown area.
The Best Western Plus Harrisonburg in Harrisonburg, VA, owned by Chris Patel, recently completed a $1.5-million renovation and features 72 total guestrooms, 16 of which are suites.
The hotel features a new indoor heated pool and hot tub, as well as electric vehicle charging stations, guest laundry facilities, a 24-hour fitness center and a business center with complimentary printing, faxing and scanning. The hotel also offers a 350-sq.-ft. meeting room.
Located in the Shenandoah Valley, just off I-81 on Route 11, is near Shenandoah Heritage Market and the White Oak Lavender Farm & The Purple WOLF Vineyard. Adventure seekers can explore the Luray Caverns, one of the biggest caverns in the eastern U.S.
The Best Western Syracuse Downtown Hotel and Suites in Syracuse, NY, owned by Syracuse Hospitality Developers, recently completed renovations and features 68 total guestrooms, 40 of which are suites.
The hotel is a historic property located in the Armory Square area of downtown Syracuse. Originally built in 1927 by Gustavus A. Young, the hotel was fashioned in the Beaux-Arts style and is one of the last remaining hotels from that era in the area. Renovations to the property include a full kitchen and bathroom remodel in guestrooms, as well as new furniture and soft goods. Lobby renovations include furniture, lighting and breakfast area updates while keeping the original 95-year-old marble intact.
The refreshed property features an array of amenities such as a 24-hour fitness center, guest laundry facilities, a business center with complimentary printing and faxing, as well as a 645-sq.-ft. meeting room which can accommodate up to 32 people.
Cambria Hotels expands with second property in Boston metropolitan area
Cambria Hotels, an upscale brand franchised by Choice Hotels International Inc., continues its coast-to-coast expansion with the opening of the Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville.
The new four-story, 163-room hotel underscores the brand’s growth across New England, joining the Cambria Hotel Boston, Downtown-South Boston, as well as the soon-to-open Cambria Hotel Portland Downtown Old Port, Cambria Hotel Manchester South Windsor and Cambria Hotel New Haven, which are expected to debut this year.
The newest Cambria, developed by The Noannet Group, is two miles from Boston’s city center and places guests in the heart of downtown Somerville. In addition to providing access to the Cambridge rail line and nearby restaurants and historic sites, such as Prospect Hill Park and Bow Market, the hotel is closely located to several corporate headquarters and area employers, including Greentown Labs, ABM Industries, Cambridge Health Alliance, Fidelity Investments and Liberty Mutual Insurance.
The Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville features upscale amenities and approachable indulgences that appeal to modern travelers:
- Multi-purpose indoor and outdoor spaces, including a designated game room
- Locally inspired design and decor, including natural materials such as walnut and deep jeweled hues of emerald and topaz are fused with gold metals to reflect Somerville’s unique arts and culture scene and rich academic tradition
- Spa-style bathrooms with Bluetooth mirrors
- Lobby, which currently serves small bites, Cambria Estate wines and craft beer sourced from local Somerville restaurants
- On-site dining is coming soon and will feature freshly made food, local craft beer, wine and specialty cocktails, as well as to-go options
- Multi-function meeting and event spaces
- Fitness center
Hyatt Place Montreal Downtown arrives
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has opened the Hyatt Place Montreal Downtown, Montreal’s first Hyatt Place hotel.
The hotel is located near the Village, one of Montreal’s most diverse and colorful neighborhoods, and the Quartier des Spectacles. Acquired in August 2019 by Sageblan Investments, the hotel has undergone a $25-million renovation resulting in modern design, innovation and 24/7 dining.
Red Roof debuts two properties
Red Roof opened two properties on the East Coast.
Red Roof PLUS+ & Suites Erie is a 100-room hotel that sits near I-90 just off I-79. The hotel is located 5.8 miles from Erie International Airport and within walking distance from Union Station and about a five-minute drive from the Bayfront Convention Center and the Erie Zoo.
Red Roof Inn Baltimore is a newly renovated, 92-room hotel that offers free WiFi, a business center, a snack center, coin laundry and free coffee in the lobby. The property has access to interstates I-695 and 70 and is a short drive to downtown Baltimore and the Baltimore Washington International Airport. In addition, this hotel is close to West Bell Shopping Center and a variety of restaurants.