Sep. 30, 2003 - ONTARIO, Calif.--Baymont Inns & Suites isn't the first Wisconsin company to try the Southern California market this year.

Kohl's Department Stores entered the area with a splash in March, opening several dozen stores around the Los Angeles area. Those stores are doing well enough that Kohl's is looking for additional sites.

Milwaukee-based Baymont is approaching California a little differently. Sometime around Oct. 17, the company will open its first California property at 4395 E. Ontario Mills Pkwy., on the southwest corner of the Mills complex.

With its expected success, more will follow.

"We understand the importance of establishing a presence in California," said Jim Abrahamson, president of Baymont Inns & Suites. "We have chosen to begin that presence in the gateway to Los Angeles."

Since Ontario Mills draws more visitors annually than Disneyland, since the California Speedway has several of the best-attended sporting events in the state, since Ontario International Airport is attracting more passengers all the time, this would seem to be a logical place for Baymont to start.

That's the way Robert Webster, general manager of the hotel, sees it.

"We think this is the best location we could have," he said. "You've got the airport, the speedway, Ontario Mills and Victoria Gardens will be opening next year. The growth in this market has been very impressive, even on a national level."

Lu Sacharski is the senior project manager for Baymont, supervising construction of the Ontario property. Aside from her somewhat typical reaction to California -- "There sure are an awful lot of cars" -- she is very pleased with her job.

"It's like they say in the real estate business," she said. "What matters is location, location, location, and this is a phenomenal location. We're excited about being in a new area and a new state."

It probably won't be too long before Baymont is in California in more than one location. Chuck Barcus, vice president of corporate development, is in Southern California shopping for land for more hotels.

"I would say we probably would be starting additional hotels within a year, but I can't really say where any of the other locations will be," Barcus said. "We're still shopping for the locations. Land development is difficult here; the whole cycle is longer."

Barcus said the reason Baymont is only now coming into California is mostly because of cost.

"When you're developing, the price of land is a factor," he said.

"In the last few years, we have done a number of upgrades, so we have more features and more amenities and can charge rates at a level at which we can be profitable."

Those features include full complimentary breakfasts (including hot food), pillow-top mattresses, down pillows, ergonomic desk chairs and free high-speed Internet. There is no restaurant, but the hotel has an arrangement with several nearby restaurants to provide room service.

"Our guests will be able to order from some of the finest restaurants," Webster said. " Dave & Buster's, Garden Bistro, Joey's Pizza and others. We think it will work well."

Webster says the hotel already is accepting booking dates for race weekends next year. He knows every hotel room in the area sells out when the speedway is in use.

"Our original plan was to be open for the NASCAR and the IRL (Indy Racing League) races this fall," he said. "We didn't make it, but we're looking forward to next year."

-----To see more of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.dailybulletin.com

(c) 2003, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. KSS, MCS, DAB,