The Trade Winds Motel is no more.
The historic property in downtown Spokane has reopened as a 59-room boutique hotel with some of the original property’s historic elements.
The Baymont Inn and Suites, originally developed as a Howard Johnson’s Hotel, officially opened on Nov. 21 – more than six months after the expected opening date of April.
Previous: Vacant Trade Winds Motel gets a makeover
Fredrick Shoener with Great Northwest Hospitality said the delayed opening allowed for developers to perfect the hotel.
“There were a lot of things at the hotel that needed to be adjusted, so we spent the extra time to make sure it was right,” Shoener said.
Shoener said a grand opening celebration may happen in February.
When the Trade Winds Motel was first built in the early 1960s, it was considered modern and vibrant with its unique curved structure, kidney-shaped pool and bright colors perhaps more reminiscent of Los Angeles or Miami than Spokane.
But the motel fell into serious disrepair later on its life.
KREM first reported on the Trade Winds Motel’s makeover in February. It was abandoned and run down. During that time, police responded to criminal activity almost weekly. Thousands of syringes were found throughout the building during cleanup.
Shoener said the renovation process was simple despite the state of the property. Developers gutted the building and threw everything away.
There are several historic features that developers kept intact, Shoener said. Those include the outline of the kidney-shaped pool used as a patio, a parking garage, two elevators and balconies. Shoener said a parking garage is unique for a smaller hotel.
Developers designed the property as a “unique, boutique hotel in the downtown market,” he added. It includes extra amenities that you would often find in an upscale hotel, like chocolates on pillows, water when you check in and concierge service.
“A lot of those features you would find at a 5-star hotel but we are trying to have that feel on a similar scale.”
A projection showcasing different events and landmarks in Spokane also shines on the Lincoln Street side of the hotel, Shoener said.
