I am a hotel geek! My introduction to hospitality was opening The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch in Colorado. Having learned from the best in the industry, it’s fun to keep an eye of what’s happening with major hotel brands as well as individual properties. This week, I’m sharing some of my favorite recent news about hotel openings, purchases and renovations.
- Tahoe’s Cal Neva Resort & Casino Purchased by Oracle Founder’s Investment Company. This is a hotel that I have a personal connection with – my
good friend Steve Tremewan was the general manager of the Cal Neva Resort & Casino for several years. This hotel has such a rich history filled stories of intrigue, the paranormal, underground tunnels and once owner Frank Sinatra. (I have friends in Lake Tahoe whose parents remember seeing old blue eyes’ last performance at the hotel.) Major renovations of this storied property have been announced over the years with several starts and stops. I drive by the hotel during every visit to Lake Tahoe – it’s been sad to see it sit idle since 2013. All bets are on new owner Lawrence Investments, Oracle founder Larry Ellison’s investment company, to bring this Tahoe institution back to life. The firm’s $38.5 million purchase was approved last month. No specific future plans have been announced, however Starwood recently took the property off of its Luxury Collection website (for the last two years it was listed as “opening soon”). We’ll be watching this one! - Bishop’s Lodge to Reopen in 2018. Bishop’s Lodge in Santa Fe, New Mexico also has an amazing history. The property was settled more than 150 years ago by Bishop Jean Baptiste Lamy and once owned by the Pulitzer family. Atlanta-based developer HRV Hotel Partners purchased the hotel in 2014 and embarked on a major transformation. The historic hotel, which sits on 317 acres in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, will reopen in summer 2018 as part of the Auberge Resorts Collection of luxury properties. The new luxury ranch lodge will include 123 rooms and suites, glamping tents, a modern bunkhouse, residences with sweeping mountain views and more.
- Magnolia Hotel Denver Renovation. There are several exciting things happening at Magnolia Hotel Denver. The hotel recently completed a lobby renovation which included enhancements to the property’s food and beverage experience at Harry’s Bar. The renovation opened up the lobby-bar connection to provide a nice flow throughout the first floor. This, coupled with a recent guest room renovation, provides a great boutique, independent-hotel experience in the heart of downtown Denver. The hotel also is transitioning to be a part of the Starwood Tribute portfolio, which provides guests with access to outstanding upper upscale hotels, all while benefitting from the award-winning SPG program.