New hotels coming to Winchester-Frederick County

Tourism spending has been rising since the two-block pedestrian mall in Winchester’s Old Town reopened in 2013 after a $7.1 million renovation, says Justin Kerns, executive director of the Winchester-Frederick County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

As the area celebrates its 275th anniversary this year, local leaders expect even more visitors to flock to the home of Patsy Cline and the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival — in part because of the three hotels under construction along Interstate 81. They are a SpringHill Suites by Marriott, a Tru by Hilton and a third property owned by the Nerangis Management Corp. All three are expected to open between June and December.

The combined $30 million investment adds 269 rooms to the city’s inventory of 2,589 rooms currently available at 32 hotels, an increase of 10.4 percent. The hotels also are expected to create 80 jobs.

“On average, according to Smith Travel Research data, hotel rooms book for $85 a night and are 66.2 percent full every night, resulting in nearly $51 million in direct lodging revenue,” Kerns adds, noting tourism revenue for the combined Winchester-Frederick County area reached $259.1 million in 2017, a 4.3 percent change over 2016.

The investor in Spring­Hill Suites by Marriott is Glen Burke, owner of BTB Hospitality LLC. It also owns the historic George Washington Hotel — a Wyndham Grand Hotel at 103 E. Piccadilly St.

A site plan for Burke’s new 2.13-acre property, located on the southeast side of Market Street, calls for the construction of a 63,503-square-foot, four-story hotel with 96 rooms, a lounge/dining area, fitness center, indoor pool and 98 parking spaces.

“We think SpringHill Suites will be a great sister property to the GW, as we choose to make our investments in this region because it is a great place to raise a family, retire or just come for a visit,” explains Burke, who grew up in Winchester.

He says he’s not concerned about having two other hotels come online when his all-suite hotel opens. “There will be something for everyone when they visit.”