Upgraded Henderson hotel regains Hawthorn name

Friday, June 14, 2002 | 11:09 a.m.

GEST Properties of Henderson and Atlanta-based U.S. Franchise Systems have re-opened Hawthorn Inn & Suites at 910 S. Boulder Highway in Henderson. The 72-room hotel first opened 2 1/2 years ago as Hawthorn Inn & Suites, but was renamed the Henderson Inn last fall.

GEST purchased the property in March from Hospitality Associates Inc. for $4.5 million, and renewed a previous agreement with Hawthorn parent U.S. Franchise Systems to rebrand it under the Hawthorn nameplate.

The non-gaming property is undergoing $500,000 in renovations, including remodeling of the lobby and breakfast areas and the relocation of the exercise room to a glassed-in area overlooking the pool. Rooms are receiving new artwork, bedspreads and draperies, and GEST is adding makeup mirrors, coffee makers, ergonomic chairs, irons and ironing boards. The upgrades are scheduled for completion in early August.

Stu Platt, owner of GEST, said the 12-employee property offers 24-hour room service via an agreement with the neighboring P.T.'s Mining Co. bar, grill and casino. Platt said the hotel, the valley's fourth Hawthorn Inn & Suites, has agreements with several reservation systems that serve upscale properties. In addition, the property will begin honoring the Hyatt Gold Passport -- a Hyatt customer frequency card -- in January.