West Seattle Blog…

Happening now: Open house at West Seattle’s only motel

June 27, 2011 at 6:04 pm | In Triangle, West Seattle businesses, West Seattle news | 22 Comments

Till 7 pm, you can drop by the open house for The Grove/West Seattle Inn (36th/Alaska) and see the results – so far – of their makeover, firsthand. We’ve been chronicling it since it was announced in January by the new owners of what was Seattle West Inn and Suites, and before that, TraveLodge. They’re expecting their first guests this week, and showing off rooms for the first time, though they’re not all done yet.

The Grove will have 46 rooms, and ownership spokesperson Lynn Sweeney had told us during this sneak-peek tour last week that about half would be done for their reopening this week. Also on hand for tonight’s open house, manager Joey Disque:

The redo is all the way down to the rooms’ shell – new carpeting, window coverings, beds and other furniture, bathroom fixtures, kitchen fixtures (in the half dozen or so with kitchenettes), art, paint, even metal railings replacing what was plastic. More info’s on their website at grovewestseattle.com.

22 Comments

1. I just got back from there, and the rooms are lovely. It looks like a place I wouldn’t be embarrassed to have my friends/family stay. I was a little surprised that they didn’t appear to have any staff to greet people, welcome them, and ask if they had questions (at least when I was there). I did go into the office to speak with someone to ask about rates (since somebody asked about the in a previous post) – if I recall correctly, they will range from $99 to $139. (I don’t know if that includes the suites, or if that’s just standard rooms.)

   Comment by Sue — 6:13 pm June 27, 2011 #

2. Looks great! I have had a chance to stop by and they have done a great job. Finaly a place for my in-laws to stay! Close, but not too close.

   Comment by Tim — 8:01 pm June 27, 2011 #

3. Indeed the rooms were nice. Simple, clean and relaxing. Everything in the rooms / bathrooms is new. Besides standard-type rooms, there are even suites with kitchenettes and a suite with a seperate bunk room for kids! I would feel comfortable having all family and friends stay there. This is a much needed ammenity in WS and I look forward to supporting. Oh, and I loved the added community touch of B&W photos of WS “landmarks”. Great job! Beautiful photography….let us know who did it!

   Comment by Future Customer — 8:11 pm June 27, 2011 #

4. i’m impressed.

   Comment by JoB — 8:11 pm June 27, 2011 #

5. Where do they get their sheets and bed spreads washed at?

   Comment by Jiggers — 8:22 pm June 27, 2011 #

6. Big laundry right on site. That was one of the things I learned in one of our early interviews with the new ownership – one of the things people may not have realized about the property is that it has a full commercial laundry – TR

   Comment by WSB — 8:23 pm June 27, 2011 #

7. Finally there is a place in West Seattle that I can recommend to friends and family who object to sleeping on our hide-a-bed. I hate having to point them downtown, or to Southcenter.

   Comment by steve — 8:30 pm June 27, 2011 #

8. Thank you so much for cleaning this up. I appreciate having a place my relatives can stay and for what you’ve done for the neighborhood. I hope it pays off.

   Comment by EmmyJane — 9:22 pm June 27, 2011 #

9. Dear In-Laws, guess what? Behave, be nice or it’s see you in the morning. Capice?

   Comment by OP — 9:27 pm June 27, 2011 #

10. Thanks so much for bringing this place around! Looks great!

    Comment by Yardvark — 10:20 pm June 27, 2011 #

11. YAY!!!! It looks great and is so needed over here in our fine penisula.

    Comment by amy — 10:22 pm June 27, 2011 #

12. 24hr office?

    Comment by Jiggers — 10:37 pm June 27, 2011 #

13. A perfect place for my mother. woot!

    Comment by Tuwanda — 10:48 pm June 27, 2011 #

14. The prices are expensive now.

    Comment by Jiggers — 7:06 am June 28, 2011 #

15. @Jiggers… yes but I think the rates here don’t have add the hotel tax that the downtown hotels add on.. I think its as high as 18%. We are just outside the radius of that tax. Can anyone confirm that? Maybe we should whisper that…!

    Comment by seattlecris — 8:23 am June 28, 2011 #

16. That’s so great that we now have a decent hotel in West Seattle. The decor looks really nice. However, I have one critique – from what we can see in the picture of the manager, the wall hanging to his left is hung way too high. There’s always a critic. ;)

    Comment by sun*e — 9:10 am June 28, 2011 #

17. Jiggers – you are just a ray of sunshine… Yes it is more expensive now, it is a better hotel and they cost more than crappy ones. It will also have the added bonus feature of fewer people using it as transitional housing.

    I think this is a terrific upgrade for West Seattle!!!

    Comment by Que — 9:56 am June 28, 2011 #

18. Great turn out yesterday with very supportive & helpful input! Treats from awesome local businesses…Husky Deli & Pagliacci Pizza were enjoyed!

    As the article states…there are still rooms to complete and other hotel ideas to cultivate that will add to the traveler and business minded amenities. The manager Joey has nearly 25 years experience in hotel operations…his team is committed to ensuring all clients and community are well taken care of. Many of the nearby tri-angle and junction businesses are bound to see some benefit from more visitors (your family and friends).

    I know there were a few local business owners speaking with the GM about some ideas to help the clients understand WS upon arrival…sort of like a “WS 101″ book…again…it will take some time.

    As for critics…as long as they are professional and courteous…anyone can be one…

    Comment by 365Stairs — 11:21 am June 28, 2011 #

19. So GLAD you guys took this on. Thank you for reinvesting in WS. Critics: pheff!

    Comment by Beth — 1:53 pm June 28, 2011 #

20. $99 is still cheap for a hotel, especially in a brand-new room. Loved the changes. I stayed at the old hotel once, when we got back from vacation to find our floors had been swedish-finished the day before and the fumes were noxious. We crowded six people into one room, and we were exhausted, so we were just grateful for a place in West Seattle to sleep at 11 pm! I am a hotel junkie, and WISH I had had the courage to take this one on. You (owners) have done a beautiful job!

    Comment by visitor — 2:13 pm June 28, 2011 #

21. Some of my family have been trying to make reservations but have been unable to get through – the phone line is always busy. And apparently you can’t make reservations online. Any thoughts on how to get through to them?

    Comment by Suzanne — 4:48 pm June 28, 2011 #

22. The phone lines had some start up issues today…but I just tested them and you can get through just fine now. Also try the: info@grovewestseattle.com

    Kinks are being ironed out…

    Comment by DG — 5:48 pm June 28, 2011 #

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