New Hotel Owners plan only improvements

New Hotel Owners Plan Only Improvements

Investments Group sets priorities for Hotel Bellwether

DAVE GALLAGHER
The Bellingham Herald

BELLINGHAM -- When Michael Herzog strolls through the Hotel Bellwether these days, he is constantly seeing parts of his past.
  "This hotel most reminds me of one I remember in the Austrian mountains, except, of course, without the ocean," Herzog said with a chuckle.  "The way this hotel was built, there are pieces here that I remember from many great European hotels, but then there is in addition of this amazing waterfront view.  It gives me a lot of hope about what we can do here.
"Herzog, 64, and the rest of the investment group are getting settles in after paying nearly $17 million for the Hotel Bellwether and a nearby office building in May.  Herzog, who is the hotel's manager, has been assessing his latest asset and has come away feeling confident that he's made a worthwhile investment.
"This is one of those situations where we won’t chance anything, but improve everything" Herzog said.  "Peter (Paulsen, the previous owner) did a great job building the hotel, so we are focused on other aspects to make this facility a center of Bellingham activity.
"Foremost on Herzog's mind to improve the hotel: Provide more professional training for the hotel employees, develop a focused marketing plan and refurbish each of the guest rooms.
"What is important to us right now is to increase room occupancy, especially during the week, and strengthen connections with local companies and the community."  Herzog said.  "The one thing I've leaned is how important local communities are to the hotel.  This is a place Bellingham should be proud of, and we're working toward keeping it that way."