|
 After 24 years as a Holiday Inn in Lincoln, the
well-known and locally owned motel is now a Comfort Inn and Suites.
Located on the west side of town, right off the interstate the motel
has been a landmark in its own right for many years, and will
continue to be so, only with a new name.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the many changes
that come with the new name. All the rooms have been newly
remodeled. A large breakfast room has been established with lots of
tasty foods served including a waffle station, sweet pastries and
bagels, and other hot breakfast items.
Gathering together for the cut were owners Lynn Paulus and Jenna
Beyers, General Manager Damon Priddy, Assistant Manager Tina
Simpson, a large number of the daytime staff of the Comfort Inn,
Lincoln Mayor Seth Goodman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Don Peasley, and
the LDN ribbon cutting crew of Karen Hargis, Roy Logan and Nila
Smith.
 The owners of Hotel Ventures
Management Illinois, Paulus and Beyers spoke briefly about their
transition from Holiday to Comfort. They both spent the majority of
their speaking time acknowledging their staff who worked so hard to
assist with the remodel and now serve so well to make sure that
guests have a very positive experience at Comfort Inn.
Jenna Beyers
(right in white) Lynn Paulus (left in gray) Damon Priddy (behind
Paulus) Jean Bruner-Jachino (far right in gold)
Beyers noted that they as owners were happy to be a part of Logan
County and they loved their new remodel and knew it had been a lot
of hard work on the part of the staff.
Lynn Paulus (center)
Tina Simpson (left) Damon Priddy (right)
Paulus noted the same thing complimenting all the
staff for their hard work. She also noted the local artwork
throughout the hotel in the rooms, lobby area and other places. She
said that Comfort Inn was big on supporting local culture and
attractions so the photo art throughout the building featured
Lincoln College, Creekside Outdoor Center for Environmental Learning
and other sites around the area.
Simpson and Priddy were the next to be introduced. Priddy said that
like the owners, he was very proud of his staff and the work they do
every day.
Bruner-Jachino was the next to speak and talked about getting
first-hand experience in what the staff does. She noted that she had
come and helped with some of the clean-up and got the ‘vacuum award’
on her days.
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Tina Simpson
(holding left corner of banner) Mayor Seth Goodman (behind Simpson)
Lincoln Mayor Seth Goodman also addressed the group. In addition to
offering his congratulations he spoke about the good experience he
had with the motel at the ‘Balloons Over 66’ weekend in August. He
said that the pilots had enjoyed their experience at the motel and
that the service had been very good. He noted that he had put staff
and management through the paces with all the last minute additions
and deletions, but they had handled it all very well and everyone
had been very pleased. Simpson chimed in that it had been a true
test for all of them and they had enjoyed the challenge and look
forward to doing it again.
With speeches concluded, the group posed for a
pre-cut photo then everyone participated in the count down to the
snip of the ribbon.
With the ribbon cut guests were encouraged to enjoy breakfast with
the owners and management. Two rooms had been set aside and opened
for tours. As the tour was conducted, Bruner-Jachino noted that they
had one special room set aside for the tour, but that someone bought
it, so the staff had to make some quick changes and room maintenance
to add a different room to the tour.
Priddy said that the two rooms toured were just two of about seven
room combinations that are offered. He shared that they have special
needs rooms including ADA accessible rooms and a room for the
hearing impaired. He noted that particular room features strobe
lights that will go off in certain situations such as someone
knocking on the room door. This is done so that guests who do have
hearing issues can rest comfortably and secure in the knowledge that
they are safe and being looked after as needed.
Priddy also noted there are still some small touches that will be
added along the way, such as larger televisions in the rooms.
Congratulations to the owners and staff at the new Comfort Inn and
Suites. The motel is a great asset to the community and the
investment in the community is greatly appreciated.
[Nila Smith] |
