Carlyle's newest hotel, The Western Star, on Railway Ave. West, welcomed a select few for its grand opening on March 21. The hotel opened its doors on Feb. 19.
Greeted in the lobby by staff, visitors were given a preview of the 65-room hotel rooms, including one of the four jacuzzi suites.
The hotel was extremely welcoming, the entrance filled with flowers from the community, wishing the team luck on their new adventure, along with candles lit beside each display. Visitors and businesses were asked to enter their names into a draw for prizes. Some of the prizes included a one night stay in a room of choice, caps and duffle bags with hotel logo, as well as, giant gift baskets full of goodies.
"The hotel is pretty much complete," raved Twyla Bauman, the Regional Sales, and Marketing Manager and Human Resources Manager. "We are only missing a few lamps, and the bed skirts are on their way."
Complimentary breakfast is served each day and guests can enjoy the large food choices. All of the rooms include a microwave and coffee maker, and 39 include a full kitchen making it feel like a home away from home.
Since Carlyle is surrounded by the oil-rigs, and being right off the highway many tired drivers will make the Western Star their choice of stay.
"Business is going very well. We've been full several nights since opening," said Bauman. "Once the road bans are lifted, we should be full again."
Spring road bans, are enforced each year to protect the structure of the highway while temperatures warm up. They can be in place for up to six weeks. If necessary, another six-week order can be issued.
But this isn't stopping the Western Star.
"The management team is working on opening up more locations," said Bauman. "Our hotel in Redvers will open in a couple of months, and will look very similar to this one."
With seven employees, not including managers, the hotel still has room to grow and the Grand Opening was used as a promotional event for the chain.
"I mostly enjoy the guests and the opportunity to meet new people," explained Carla Eagan, Management and Financial Administrator. "We take pride in providing amenities that other hotels do not".
A brief ribbon cutting ceremony took place at 2 p.m., with the mayor and hotel owner having the scissor snipping honours. This was followed, with a large two cake display featuring the chain logo.
"We tried getting the cake here," explains Bauman. "No one would put our logo on the cake, so we just kept trying. I think it came out nice."
The reception area also held free punch and coffee, keeping everyone happy.
For reservations at the new hotel, call 453-2700. Prices for a stay at the town's higher end hotel range from $135 for a basic room, to $179 for the classy jacuzzi suite.
