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Zach Colick
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Posted: Mon Jun 29th, 2009 09:12 pm |
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Editor's note: The following story appears in the July 1 Town of Paradise Valley Independent. Post comments by hitting reply in the upper right-hand corner. Comments will be posted in an upcoming issue of the Town of Paradise Valley Independent.
Keeping Up With the Competition
Hermosa Inn plans summer makeover, after all
By Zach Colick
Independent Newspapers
The troubled economy and sluggish travel industry forced the Hermosa Inn earlier this year to postpone plans to reinvigorate the historic resort’s feel and charm through an extensive makeover.
But as the the economic environment continues to remain stagnant with no signs of rebounding anytime soon, resort officials say now is the time to at least spruce up the resort’s 35 rooms — mainly its bathrooms, furniture and fixtures — with a less extensive makeover that begins next month.
The hotel and its signature restaurant, Lon’s at the Hermosa, will remain open as the Hermosa Inn hopes to remain competitive with other nearby Scottsdale and Paradise Valley resorts, said General Manager Mike Gildersleeve.
Through the planned makeover, Mr. Gildersleeve said he hopes more guests return this winter to experience the Hermosa Inn’s recaptured beauty.
He believes room improvements will “protect the resort’s integrity,” noting he and other resort officials continue to look for ways to start renovating the resort on a grander scale should funding become available at a later date.
After all, he said, it’s easier to start remodeling now vs. waiting for the economy to improve.
“With the (economic) environment that we’re in, now is the time to institute changes to make the resort more competitive,” Mr. Gildersleeve said.
“We have this whole big plan ready to go. Why not take some of it and do some of the remodeling inside the rooms?”
The project, budgeted at nearly $2 million, includes enhancing the bathrooms with the latest amenities. The inn’s bathrooms are old and still have separate areas for the shower and sink. Plans call to consolidate both areas for a more modern feel.
Plans also call for new carpeting, new fixtures and furniture, as well as painting the rooms. Mr. Gildersleeve said the carpet is roughly three to four years old, while the furniture is roughly the same age.
Additionally, the inn’s four 1,400-square-foot villas, with two bedrooms and a kitchen, will be split into eight suites. They will still be combinable into the larger suite via a connecting door.
“I think this will put us in a much better position with the market,” Mr. Gildersleeve said.
The hotel also plans a large new garden at the northern end of the property. It will give the resort another spot for events such as weddings and more produce to use at Lon’s.
Mr. Gildersleeve said plans for enhancing the inn’s rooms didn’t come from guest complaints; rather he feels the changes are necessary to remain competitive.
“Obviously it’s not the big project we’d like to have done,” he said. “But the (economic) environment doesn’t support that anymore. We might as well do something now while we’re sitting in a slow environment.”
The Hermosa Inn, 5532 N. Palo Cristi Road, closed last summer in anticipation for the full-fledged renovation. Resort officials archived renovation plans in a central location in the hopes the project is revived in the future.
The Town Council approved in June 2007 Ordinance No. 595, which amended the Hermosa Inn’s existing special-use permit as part of a comprehensive renovation. The approval included plans to:
• Modify the existing room count from 35 to 49 rooms;
• Create a new arrival zone and main lodge with guest check-in facilities;
• Redesign the existing pool area;
• Construct a new spa/fitness facility;
• Reconfigure the restaurant, bar and kitchen spaces;
• Reconfigure the existing parking area to provide additional parking, as well as enhance visual screening and noise control;
• Enhance existing landscaping and site design.
Molly Hood, senior town planner, said in March that the Hermosa Inn’s building permits for its remodel project were issued July 17, 2008, and noted resort officials picked up the permits about a week later from Town Hall, 6401 E. Lincoln Drive.
Ms. Hood said the permits were good for 180 days.
But when the end of the 180-day period approached in mid-January, Ms. Hood said Hermosa Inn officials requested an extension. The permits expire July 11.
Originally constructed by hand by cowboy artist Lon Megargee in the 1930s as a private residence and studio, the Hermosa Inn’s historical charm is expressed through the use of traditional Southwestern architecture, adobe bricks, wood beams, hand-painted Mexican tile and many one-of-a-kind embellishments reflecting its artistic heritage.
Paradise Valley residents Fred and Jennifer Unger purchased the hotel in 1992 and spearheaded a restoration project designed to reclaim the original charm, quality and tradition of the historic structure.
The resort’s full restoration was completed Oct. 1, 1994. The underground wine cellar, library and the boardroom were added in January 2003.
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