Aug. 06, 2010--If it has been awhile since you've stopped at the Quality Inn and Suites at 8040 Perry Highway, you might be surprised by what you see.

The entire building, including its 110 guest rooms, were "completely re-gutted" from top to bottom in the past year through a $1 million renovation project.

It has new carpet, wallpaper, furniture, and a revamped ballroom, said its general manager, Ryan Fuda.

The Quality Inn was bought three years ago by Travaglini Enterprises in a deal that also included the Super 8 near Interstate 90 and Route 97.

The two hotels were acquired from Aananda Hotels of America Inc. of Erie for $5.92 million, according to The Mumford Co., a Newport News, Va., hotel brokerage firm that conducted the sale.

Don Fagley, vice president of operations for Travaglini Enterprises, said the company's original plan was to knock down the building and build new, but then realized it would cost much less to renovate the interior.

At the time, the hotel was in rough shape and didn't have a great reputation, Fuda said.

Now, with a brand new interior and new furniture to match, the Quality Inn has been seeing a dramatic increase in bookings.

"(Presque Isle Downs & Casino) has brought in a lot more, with us being the closest hotel to the casino," Melissa Powell, sales manager for Quality Inn, said.

Fuda said this year's Roar on the Shore brought in an influx of bookings as well.

Fuda said he thinks the hotel is now back to its roots of being a warm, inviting place for families.

"This used to be 'the' hot spot a long time ago," he said. And now with the renovations it can be once again.

"It's a complete 180," Fuda said. "It's a rebirth of the Quality Inn."

Rose Schneider can be reached at 870-1727 or by e-mail.

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