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By: Justin Roshak, Salmon Press
A new hotel will bolster Bethlehem's reputation as hospitality capitol of the north country, as well as breathe new life into the historic Baker Brook cabin site. Receiving preliminary site approval last Wednesday, the hotel looks to be a signature addition to the West Bethlehem skyline, even as its developer clashes with Northern Pass. The Homewoods Suites is a joint project between a New York-based developer and Hilton hotels, which is contributing its brand, designs, and consulting resources. Brooklyn-based developer Yitz Rudich bought the burned-out shell of the old Baker Brook motel for $600,000. The 42-acres Baker Brook parcel includes several high-value wetlands, which the hotel will take special care to protect according to Portsmouth-based Eckman Engineering. The hotel will employ between 12 and 15 people, and is expected to generate more than $300,000 in annual revenues. Total construction costs will run between $15 million and $20 million. The hotel will include 85 units, down from the 110 the investor wanted to begin with. Hilton's economic projections suggested that a smaller number of units would prove more profitable given the area's demand.  By: Paige Sutherland, NHPR With two ski areas kicking off the season this past weekend, winter tourism in New Hampshire is officially here. State tourism officials are estimating roughly $1.25 billion will be spent in New Hampshire this winter, which is a 4 percent uptick from last season. That includes people coming up to go skiing and snowmobiling and staying and eating at the state’s resorts and restaurants. Scott Rice owns The Woodstock Inn, a popular restaurant and brewery near Loon Mountain Resort. He said during the winter weekends they see up to 800 people a night.
“This is exceptionally early to really get going – we usually count on Thanksgivings to really be the kick off to winter skiing and activities," Rice said. "But this year the weather really seems to be with us and we are really going to get kicked started a little bit early this year, which is great.” More than 8 million people are expected to visit the state during the winter months. Read this article at nhpr.com. |
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