By Christine Graf
After investing approximately $1.4 million in upgrades and renovations, the owners of the Best Western Plus in Saratoga Springs have rebranded the 3292 Route 9 property as The Hotel Saratoga.
The hotel is owned by Pinecone Holdings, a Missouri-based real estate investment and management firm. Pinecone CEO Thane Kifer and managing director Drew Kifer own several other hotels throughout the country.
Woodbury-based WNW Hospitality manages day-to-day operations at The Hotel Saratoga. The company was hired to oversee operations of the Best Western Plus after the property was purchased by Pinecone Holdings in August 2019.
According to WNW president and co-owner Robert Jaeger, rebranding discussions began just a few months later.
“The Best Western Plus is a nice mid-level brand, but at the beginning of 2020, we thought it was a good idea to bring the hotel into more of an upscale lifestyle brand. Those plans were put on hold due to the pandemic,” he said.
It wasn’t until the following year that the Kifers revisited the idea with Jaeger.
“In 2021, we started to think about what direction we wanted to go. We had to decide whether to re-brand or stay with Best Western Plus,” he said. “We ultimately chose to re-brand to become an Ascend Collection of Choice hotels, an upscale brand.”
Before rebranding, Pinecone Holdings completed an extensive renovation of the property.
The hotel’s 65 rooms and nine suites were completely remodeled, and new bathrooms were installed. All public spaces, including corridors, were renovated and a new fitness center was added. The fitness center features high-end equipment including Peleton stationary bike systems.
According to Jaeger, an artist was commissioned to create original art work for the property.
“We have all new artwork throughout the hotel, and it is centered around the history and culture of Saratoga, It’s original art that was commissioned for hotel, so you won’t see it any other place,” he said.
As part of the renovation, the hotel’s lobby was expanded and includes a new breakfast area. A cafe, bar, and lounge were also added to the property.
“We’re starting with beer and wine, and we will have a lounge menu,” said Jaeger. “We’re in the process of building a satellite kitchen for the lounge.”
The exterior renovation, which includes installing new landscaping, is expected to begin in September.
“Everyone is very excited,” said Jaeger. “Our guests love our new rooms, and the comments we’ve gotten have been fantastic.”
The Hotel Saratoga has limited availability for the remainder of the busy summer tourist season, he noted.