Dateline: December 11, 2003

Construction of hotel ahead of schedule

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Construction of Clarendon’s new $1.8 million three-story Best Western hotel is ahead of schedule and could open as early as February 15, according to reports this week.

One of the hotel’s owner’s, Jimmy Sindha, said he is excited that the work is about two weeks ahead of schedule.

“I got a big surprise when the contractor told me we might be finished the middle of February,” Sindha said. “Usually contractors are behind schedule.”

Sindha reports most of the work has gone smoothly and said he has several calls regarding the speed with which the building at US 287 and SH 70 North has gone up.

The exterior of what will be called the American Inn is pretty well finished although Sindha says he and his partners are considering repainting some of the accents around the windows to give them more contrast.

Finish work has begun on the third floor where wallpaper has been hung in some rooms and part of the corridor. Drywall work is continuing on the first and second floors.

The 50-bed hotel will be a showplace for Clarendon and the tourists who come here. The main entrance will feature a large front desk on one side and a spacious breakfast area on the other. Sindha said that the breakfast will be served in a buffet style and that the seating area will have dataports available for business travelers to connect to the Internet.

Business travelers will also be able to take advantage of a work center with a photocopier and Internet access. Twenty rooms will be set up as business rooms featuring a king size bed, a sleeper sofa, and a partitioned desk area.

All guest rooms will have dataports and will feature granite tub surrounds, counters, and windowsills. Thirty rooms will be set up with two queen size beds; and some of those will have sleeper sofas, which will be the equivalent of having three beds. Two rooms will be fitted with Jacuzzis, and two rooms will be suitable for handicapped guests.

Vending and ice machines will be available on the first and second floors, and a coin-operated laundry will be installed on the first floor. A fitness center and indoor swimming pool will also be located on the first floor.

The Clarendon Economic Development Corporation provided more than $31,000 to assist with bringing hotel to this city. The new facility is expected to employ ten people including the manager.

Sindha, who also owns the local Western Skies Motel, says he will continue to keep the current motel operating even after the American Inn opens next year.