Sept. 02, 2011--PLAINS TWP. -- The East Mountain Inn off Route 115 is undergoing a $3 million renovation that will result in the facility earning the Best Western hotel chain's "Plus" designation.

Hotel General Manager Nadine Howe said room renovations have been undertaken on a semi-annual basis, but starting next year, every article in each of the inn's 152 rooms will be replaced with the latest in hotel room design and electronics.

In addition to room improvements, the project will include upgrades to the meeting and banquet areas.

"Returning guests will look twice when they walk through the front doors, because all of the furnishings and decor will have changed, including spotlighting the all new Wildflowers Bistro, which will supplement the long popular Wildflowers restaurant" Howe said.

The seven-floor structure is owned by the Manor Group, which has a long history in the Wyoming Valley. The company has developed, built -- and in some cases after tropical storm Agnes, rebuilt -- several projects. Included among its properties were the Gateway Apartments in Edwardsville and later the East Mountain Apartments and the East Mountain Inn. It also has built, owns and operates hotels and apartment complexes across Pennsylvania, New Jersey and West Virginia and is active in developing communities in Eastern Europe.

Having the "Plus" designation means travelers will find increased levels of comfort in their rooms and on site.

"Best Western has gone to a tiering designation since it is made up with such a diverse property portfolio that's all individually owned and, until this juncture, individually designed," Howe said. "This will allow Best Western customers to have a better understanding of the level of accommodations they'll experience at this level of hotel.

"The entire refurbishment will transpire over a three year period ... without closure of the hotel," Howe added.

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