Something new is being added at Clarion Hometown Inn: converted “extended stay” rooms. According to Frank and Trudy Teslik, the hotel managers, the process is nearing completion.
The twosome has managed the local hotel, located at 1001 Central Avenue West, for more than four years. The 32-room facility has 12 rooms on the main floor and 20 on the second floor. Half of the rooms are furnished with a single queen bed; the other half have two full-sized double beds. The number of rooms has not changed with the conversion; it is the amenities in ten of the rooms that have.
Extended stay rooms
Frank said, “We became aware of a shortage of housing and rentals in our area. These upgrades help to alleviate that need.” Each of the newly remodeled rooms has one bed removed to add livable floor space. An existing sink is being replaced by a larger one (the existing sink area becomes a closet), complete with garbage disposal, and a good-sized counter. The apartment-sized refrigerator is replaced with a larger one. A recliner, a microwave, free Wi-Fi, and a cable-connected smart television (i.e. access to Netflix, Hulu) rounds out the furnishings.
Extended stay rooms can be rented by the week or by the month. “The seven-day package rents for $290,” said Trudy. “This would include daily continental breakfasts, vacuuming, making the beds, and clean towels each day.”
Rent by the month is also available for $600. “People can appreciate there is no need to sign a lease,” said Trudy. “And again breakfasts are offered. Fresh towels are given weekly or can be brought down to the lobby for replacement. Rooms are dusted and vacuumed weekly. Bedding is changed weekly.” There are smoking and non-smoking rooms available in the extended stay rooms.
Day stay rooms
While ten rooms are now part of the extended stay inventory, they may still be rented as day-stay rooms. “Because Clarion Hometown Inn has been in operation for nearly thirty years, the owners and managers have always tried to make necessary changes throughout the facility,” said Frank. Each room consists of a college room-sized refrigerator, microwave, 32” screen TV, cable, and Wi-Fi.
Each room comes with the typical care of daily rentals: new bedding, vacuuming, clean towels, cleaned bathrooms, and the daily breakfasts, served from 6 – 10 a.m. on weekdays and 7 – 11 a.m. on weekends.
“We have been full every evening all summer,” said Frank. “People can connect with us through such websites as Expedia, Travelocity, and Hotels.com. Once we are filled for the evening, we post that information to save people a trip here and not being able to provide for their stay.” Late afternoon on the day of this interview, there were four rooms remaining, but the Tesliks were sure they would be full by the evening.
The Tesliks also enjoy going the extra mile for all their guests when possible. Trudy said, “Some evenings when we are filled, we will knock on all the doors and invite our guests to the lobby for supper. It’s our treat to provide meals like chili or sloppy joes for our guests who might enjoy it.”
Reaching out to the community
The folks at Hometown Inn also take steps to get involved in the community. For the past four years, the Tesliks and Hometown Inn have joined in the Clarion festivities with a Trunk or Treat near Halloween. “When the Chamber has their business celebration on the Saturday before Halloween (9 – 11 a.m.),” said Trudy, “we celebrate from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. with candy, hot dogs, pop, juice and drawings for prizes. We like having kids and families celebrating in a safe environment.”
Both Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, they invite their hotel guests and the Clarion community as a whole to ‘eat with them’. “Anyone who might be alone and wants to enjoy the holidays with us,” said Trudy, “can just come on out. We eat about 3 p.m.”
As they look into the future, the Tesliks anticipate more exciting upgrades to the hotel. On the potential list is new floor coverings for the lobby and hallways and a coin-operated laundry for guests.
Once all of their remodeling work is completed, Frank and Trudy anticipate an open house for the public to see what they have done. Stay tuned to the Monitor for that date to be announced.
