Lexington, KY
Discovery
When the opportunity to buy the venerable Gratz Park Inn and breathe new life into it came up for Rolling Hills Hospitality, they jumped at the chance. Looking at the property numerous times over the years, they saw a great opportunity for a historic renovation, but knew they needed the recognition of a major brand. When Hilton unveiled the Tapestry Collection, they had the chance to find unique, historic, beautiful old buildings and convert them into a Hilton hotel, while still keeping the independence of a soft, independent brand.
Now facing the weight of successfully renovating a property that was historically less than 40% occupied, Rolling Hills knew we were the right team for the job.
Creation
Within the next six months, the Gratz Park Inn’s 42 rooms were completely gutted, making way for a transformational renovation. The new Sire Hotel reopened with a sleek and updated design, offering travelers the comfort and charm they expect from a historic property paired with the convenience of modern boutique hotel. Property improvements were of utmost importance to the owners, ensuring that guests were provided with the amenities and service that today’s traveler requires. But that meant a series of modifications that weren’t within the Hilton brand standards for a Tapestry Collection hotel. Relying on the strong relationship our team has with the Hilton brand, we were able to advocate on behalf of the owner and successfully achieve the improvements they sought.
Given Lexington’s history of world-class horse racing, thoroughbred spirit and bluegrass attitude, subtle equestrian touches appear throughout The Sire, including artwork that features riding crops and curtain ties inspired by bridle bits. Due to our team’s unyielding attention to detail and ability to achieve the owner’s desire for a charming, yet modern hotel, The Sire now boasts up to 100% occupancy, a rate significantly higher than its predecessor.
Services
Bimal Patel, Owner
Oxford, OH
Cincinnati, OH