Optimism high at newly named Best Western Lake Inn

Hotel retains 99 percent, anticipates changes under new ownership

MOSES LAKE — The owners may have changed, but the faces remain the same at what used to be the Best Western Hallmark Inn.

Grewal Hotels, Inc., acquired the inn, now the Best Western Lake Inn and Conference Center, on Oct. 15 and retained about 99 percent of its original employees, said acting general manager Nan Davis.

"(Things have been) just wonderful — the staff has been more than eager to do anything that they needed to do to ensure that it was a smooth transition, and it was very, very smooth," said Davis. "Without the loyal employees, we wouldn't have been able to do this."

Those few employees who did leave had already chosen to leave, she said. Only one new person was brought in, for the newly created position of beverage director.

"Most of our employees have worked here at this property for at least two years up to 27 years," said Davis, herself a 24-year veteran. "So obviously, we all love this place very dearly and we don't want anything but the best."

Changes will be made in what Davis called a slow transition.

"We have succeeded in finally getting everything in place to begin that transition, and so now you're going to see some of the name changes and we're working on logos right at the moment," she said. "There will be changes made. It will, just as everything is, be a transition. And how quickly we see those changes remains to be seen."

The restaurant name will be changed from Cade's soon, Davis said, though as to what has not been finalized yet. Reservations and functions made before the changes will be upheld, Davis said.

"The thing to understand is that the company that bought this property bought it because it was an asset," she pointed out. "They have nothing but plans to better it, so that it can be an even more profitable part of this community. Someone doesn't buy a company and not intend to make money. If it makes money, it just benefits everyone in this community."