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Providence Hospitality Partners Acquires Major Share of the
Historic Plains Hotel in Cheyenne, Wyoming

Cheyenne, WY - April 2007 - Providence Hospitality Partners (PHP) has gone from management company to managing partner of the historic Plains Hotel located in Cheyenne, Wyoming in early 2007.  Built in 1911, The 131 room Plains Hotel completed a top-to-bottom, $4.5 million renovation in 2003 that restored the landmark property to its former grandeur. 

PHP, which has managed the property since November 2005, is well-suited to take the reins of a property like The Plains Hotel.

�Historic hotels present specific operational challenges,� explains David B. Storm, President of Providence Hospitality. �Even seasoned managers of large, full-service resorts can find themselves at a loss when dealing with the idiosyncrasies of a vintage hotel, particularly in the area of restoration, maintenance and marketing.  Providence Hospitality Partners is uniquely suited, thanks to our years of experience with historic properties, to make sure that The Plains Hotel is a tremendous success on all levels.� 

Providence is interested in investing in historic properties because, according to Storm, �There is a tremendous interest, by both meeting planners as well as leisure travelers in the historic hotel experience.  Properties like The Plains Hotel come with a built in story, and it makes for a richer, more multi�faceted experience. Providence can fill a niche by providing not only well-managed, meticulous restored properties, but by expanding and capitalizing on the historic experience to the benefit of our guests.�

�Bringing history alive� is one of the ways Providence Hospitality engages its guests � and the community where their properties are located - by creating events that honor the past and celebrate the present.   Consequently, Bourbon Tastings, �Murder Mystery� Nights, reenactments of historic events, wine dinners and dances are just a few of the  evenings on the calendar at The Plains Hotel designed to both entertain and educate visitors to the property. This year with Providence Hospitality at the helm, the hotel has also stepped up the hotel�s community involvement by sponsoring the inaugural Cheyenne Heart of the West Festival � a citywide festival celebrating the traditions of the �Old West,� produced by renowned songwriter and musician Jon Chandler. 

In addition to creating events that connect to The Plains Hotel�s colorful past, Providence Hospitality pays extraordinary attention to the small details that help to create a historical ambience and sense of place. 

At the Plains hotel this translates as handcrafted �do not disturb� signs that read �please tidy the bunkhouse/prairie dreams�, staff attired in vintage-inspired �costumes� rather than uniforms, custom designed furniture, and Western-themed artwork, photography and artifacts throughout the property. �People come to The Plains Hotel seeking the �Real West� and it is our goal to not only fulfill their expectations but to ultimately become the number one destination in town for the authentic Cheyenne experience,� says Storm. 

Built in 1911, the Plains Hotel has long been the icon of elegant High Plains lodging and dining, and a favorite of presidents, movie stars and cattle barons. It was the social hub of Wyoming�s capitol city, catering to the state�s early captains of industry. The Plains Hotel has been recognized by the National Park Service on the list of National Register of Historic Places.  The property features 131 guest rooms, including 30 suites, as well as more than 9,000 square feet of meeting space with five flexible meeting rooms, high-speed wireless internet, professional catering staff, and a dedicated meeting services liaison to assist with meeting arrangements, menu planning and facility coordination.
 

April 2007 - The Lakeway Inn & Conference Center -- Bellingham, Washington�s largest full-service hotel -- is undergoing a transformational renovation that is scheduled to be completed by May 2007.  All aspects of the $2 million project are being overseen by the property�s management company, Providence Hospitality Partners.  All hard and soft goods will be replaced at the 132 room hotel, including furniture, light fixtures, bed linens, carpet, and draperies; 32� LCD flat-panel televisions and valet refrigerators will be added; and the bathrooms, which currently feature granite counter tops and marble floors, will be further updated.  In addition, the hotel�s pool area will be completely resurfaced and new pool furniture purchased.

Already completed are the redesign of the Lakeway Inn�s food and beverage outlets � the Oboe Café and Poppe�s Bistro.  The new restaurant concept introduces a menu that features regional Northwest cuisine and Poppe�s breaks away from the conventional hotel lounge image with a tapas and martini bar theme.

The overall design theme of the project is Northwestern Mission, chosen by Providence Hospitality as a reflection of the region and is indicative of the management company�s overall philosophy.

�Even when we are operating a franchise property, we operate them as if they were a one off, stand alone hotel,� explains PHP President David Storm. �We have years of experience managing historic properties � what we like to call the original �lifestyle� hotels - and we believe that there are valuable lessons to learn from these unique properties.�

One of elements borrowed from their experience with historic properties will be the concept of the �themed suite�.  While the historic PHP managed Hotel Colorado may have the Molly Brown Suite, The Lakeway Inn will feature a Viking Suite � in honor of the Western Washington University popular football team.  The Viking Suite will incorporate the team colors � blue and white - in the design, as well as various Viking logo items.  Historical photographs and several books covering WWU history will complete the picture.

�People want to be educated and entertained; and they want a sense of community. That is why we develop special events and themes that tie into the community and culture of the area where our properties are located.  Consequently, our guests should expect to see wine dinners featuring the wines of Washington State and the remarkable seafood of the region, as well as events celebrating Bellingham�s own � the Western Washington team, the Vikings.�

Providence Hospitality Partners has managed the Lakeway Hotel & Conference Center since November 2005. Originally built in 1979, the property features 132 rooms and suites, two restaurants, an indoor pool, spa, sauna and fitness center, a business center, high-speed Internet throughout and 11,000 sq. feet of meeting space.   The hotel, located at 714 Lakeway Drive in Bellingham, is a 100% smoke free hotel and will remain open for business during the renovation.

Providence Hospitality Partners has been in the hotel management business for over 18 years, and is an approved management company for Marriot, Omni, Radisson,, Sheraton and Hilton Hotels.  Based in Denver, Colorado, PHP specializes in historic and boutique hotels as well as �turning around� underperforming properties. They currently manage 10 hotels in the Western U.S., including the historic properties the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood and the Plains Hotel in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Providence Hospitality Partners have just completed another major renovation � the $15 million renovation and conversion of a Holiday Inn to a Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ventura, California. 

Contact:

ANN FLOWER
310-305-7169 
[email protected] 

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Also See: National Trust Historic Hotels Adds 18 Hotels from Across America / Sept 2002
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