Mount Washington Resort now Omni

[Geoff]

I'm in the Omni Hotel frequent stayer program. I just got this email:

We are pleased to welcome the historic Mount Washington Resort to the Omni family.

From skiing and sleigh rides to golf and zip line tours, there is something for everyone all year long. Located in Bretton Woods, NH at the base of the highest peak in the Northeast, this iconic hotel is full of history and charm.

http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/BrettonWoodsMountWashington.aspx

 

[WJenness]

Huh, interesting.

The only Omni I've stayed in has been the Atlanta one (which I thought was pretty nice.

Who manages the Bretton Woods ski area?

-w

 

[dmc]

Me to... nice!!! I hope they don't F it up now...

 

[drjeff]

I stayed there for a family reunion in mid August just prior to the changeover. Some good stuff happening already with a brand spanking new indoor health facility(health club, pool, spa) + conference center + outdoor pool - all very nice and what you'd expect to see quality wise at a hotel/resort of that caliber. The prior owners had started renovation of the guest rooms, and while my room hadn't been renovated yet, I did check out a couple of my family member room's that had been renovated, and while the renovation work didn't turn the rooms into what you'll commonly see these days at a high end hotel from a style standpoint, the upgrades they had made I though were the proper balance of modern technology but not too over the top for a hotel of that style. The previous owners had also completely redone the golf course there to the tune of a multi-year, multi-million $$ effort to restore it back to it's original design philosphy (it's original designer is Donald Ross who is/was truly one of the great golf course architects of alltime and he had a great piece of property to work with there!).

My guess is give Omni a year or so to finish a bunch of upgrades, and also at the same time hope that they don't change the overall character of it, and that wonderfull place where they shot a lot of the interior scenes for The Shining will be a true gem of a hotel!

 

[dmc]

Isn't OMNI part of Holiday Inn?

 

[deadheadskier]

I could be mistaken, but I don't believe Omni is a part of a large conglomerate.

As far as chains go, I like Omni's philosophy. Most of their properties are very unique and they do their part to fit within the culture of the communities where they are located. Not really a cookie cutter brand.

 

[Geoff]

Isn't OMNI part of Holiday Inn?

Texas oil money that came from an Oil & Nat Gas company that sold to Texaco. TRT Holdings. They also own Golds Gym.

http://www.omnihotels.com/AboutOmniHotels/CorporateInformation/History.aspx

 

[dmc]

Texas oil money that came from an Oil & Nat Gas company that sold to Texaco. TRT Holdings. They also own Golds Gym.

http://www.omnihotels.com/AboutOmniHotels/CorporateInformation/History.aspx

Sorry - I was confused with Crown Plaza...

 

[bigbob]

I don't think Omni bought the real estate. CNL Lifestyles , which also owns SR, SL, and Loon Mnts in the northeast, owns the real estate and leases out the facilities.

 

[wa-loaf]

The Omni Parker in Boston is supposed to be pretty nice.

 

[Grassi21]

The Omni Parker in Boston is supposed to be pretty nice.

Very nice historic hotel. Supposedly the birthplace of the Boston cream pie and Parker House Rolls. The lobby is amazing. The rooms are tiny.... real tiny. But the area surrounding the hotel is great.

 

[wa-loaf]

Very nice historic hotel. Supposedly the birthplace of the Boston cream pie and Parker House Rolls. The lobby is amazing. The rooms are tiny.... real tiny. But the area surrounding the hotel is great.

Actually if I remember right they had a "Britney Spears" room at one point. Might have to reassess ...

 

[deadheadskier]

The Omni Parker in Boston is supposed to be pretty nice.

It is indeed very nice. An occasional customer of mine. It could stand some significant re-investment though. It falls into the category of historic classic opulence in the city with other hotels like the Taj Boston (formerly Ritz Carlton) Fairmont Copley and the Langham. Fairmont and Langham have seen significant renovations recently, where as the Omni and Taj are starting to show their age.

Pretty competitive luxury hotel market in Boston. While I certainly wouldn't mind staying at the Parker House, there are probably 10 hotels in the city with better amenities that you can drop $400 plus a night at.

 

[Grassi21]

It is indeed very nice. An occasional customer of mine. It could stand some significant re-investment though. It falls into the category of historic classic opulence in the city with other hotels like the Taj Boston (formerly Ritz Carlton) Fairmont Copley and the Langham. Fairmont and Langham have seen significant renovations recently, where as the Omni and Taj are starting to show their age.

Pretty competitive luxury hotel market in Boston. While I certainly wouldn't mind staying at the Parker House, there are probably 10 hotels in the city with better amenities that you can drop $400 plus a night at.

Ever been to the Custom House. It has the clock tower at the top. That place was worth the money.... well my companies money.

 

[deadheadskier]

Ever been to the Custom House. It has the clock tower at the top. That place was worth the money.... well my companies money.

I bar tend at a Marriott about once every 6 weeks and get full employee discounts. I've stayed at all the Marriotts in Boston for stupid cheap. Employee rates are hardly ever available at the Custom House, but we got lucky last year around this time and got the 2 room Penthouse suite for under $100 a night including parking. If you look at the building, the four windows immediately below the clock is the room. It has windows looking out on three sides of the building. Great weekend. Especially the late night blueberry dessert on the observation deck.


I'm working a shift tonight actually. Continuing to work there part time after I left my management job with them has probably saved my family, friends and I close to ten grand over the past 2.5 years. Just got back from honeymoon at the Marriott Frenchman's Reef in St.Thomas where I saved over two grand.

Too bad there are no Marriott's in ski towns in New England. Someday I'll take advantage out west where they have properties.

 

[bigbog]

Bretton Woods = new tree lines(in last 2+ years)...?

Would like to get down to Bretton Woods this coming....haven't they expanded their tree lines somewhere...(in the last ~5yrs)

 

[Grassi21]

I bar tend at a Marriott about once every 6 weeks and get full employee discounts. I've stayed at all the Marriotts in Boston for stupid cheap. Employee rates are hardly ever available at the Custom House, but we got lucky last year around this time and got the 2 room Penthouse suite for under $100 a night including parking. If you look at the building, the four windows immediately below the clock is the room. It has windows looking out on three sides of the building. Great weekend. Especially the late night blueberry dessert on the observation deck.


I'm working a shift tonight actually. Continuing to work there part time after I left my management job with them has probably saved my family, friends and I close to ten grand over the past 2.5 years. Just got back from honeymoon at the Marriott Frenchman's Reef in St.Thomas where I saved over two grand.

Too bad there are no Marriott's in ski towns in New England. Someday I'll take advantage out west where they have properties.

I think when I stayed there 7 or 8 years ago it was $350 a night. Every thing in the city was sold out and it was the last resort. Worked out in my favor. That bar is pretty sweet.

 

[mikestaple]

It is indeed very nice. An occasional customer of mine. It could stand some significant re-investment though. It falls into the category of historic classic opulence in the city with other hotels like the Taj Boston (formerly Ritz Carlton) Fairmont Copley and the Langham. Fairmont and Langham have seen significant renovations recently, where as the Omni and Taj are starting to show their age.

Pretty competitive luxury hotel market in Boston. While I certainly wouldn't mind staying at the Parker House, there are probably 10 hotels in the city with better amenities that you can drop $400 plus a night at.

Amen. Needs a redo. In a great spot (near the old city hall, old south church, on the freedom trail, etc) and not one of those of 700 room horror shows in the back bay. Also, the dining room is historic - but dated in a kinda "the last renovation was in 1983" way. And they killed the downstairs bar to put in a spa (did Dickens need a facial when he stayed here 150 years ago - I think not).

A lot of potential, but some deep pockets needed to updated it.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

I don't think Omni bought the real estate. CNL Lifestyles , which also owns SR, SL, and Loon Mnts in the northeast, owns the real estate and leases out the facilities.

Your correct, Omni hasn't purchased anything.....Omni is the contracted operator much like Boyne is the contracted operator of SR and the Loaf. CNL is still the owner and is financing the improvements thru Omni.
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS145200+17-Aug-2009+PRN20090817