New downtown hotel offers impressive atmosphere, amenities
Hey, this is a nice place! The new Holiday Inn Express opened Tuesday at 2300 W. Seltice Way, just southwest of I-90’s Northwest Boulevard exit toward downtown Coeur d’Alene.
The drive-through entry is impressive, with Northwest-style design and a basalt column fountain. The lobby is airy with high ceilings and easy access to the front desk, adjoining dining room and patio beyond. The architecture is Craftsman-style with hardwoods and granite trim everywhere.
The three-story hotel has 101 guest rooms, including 35 suites with separate living rooms and bedrooms with varying amenities. All rooms have refrigerators, microwaves and coffeemakers, and all guests have free access to Internet use in the business center, the L-shaped pool and Jacuzzi, fitness center, guest laundry, patio with gas fireplace, boardroom for meetings, and free breakfasts.
Manager Heather Pappin, who previously worked at a Spokane facility, said the new hotel employs 25 to 30 people. She’s originally from the Midwest and came to the Northwest for hotel employment.
Prices start at $132, according to the Web site, www.cdahie.com. Phone (208) 667-3100.
Hyundai finds empty spot
The world’s sixth-largest automotive company plans to settle into a big niche in Post Falls in the next year. The Korean Hyundai company proposes a 16,000-square-foot dealership on almost four acres at the west end of Post Falls’ auto row between Interstate 90 and Mullan Road.
To be located just west of the Midway Nissan-Chrysler-Jeep complex, Hyundai’s facility would contain about 150 new and 100 used vehicles. With 10 service bays and a high-tech-look showroom, it will employ 30 to 45 people. Opening is possible by Dec. 31.
Owner is the Findlay Automotive Group based in Henderson, Nev. Post Falls will be the company’s 19th dealership with the others in Nevada, Utah and Arizona. Chief Financial Officer Tyler Corder was raised in Fort Benton, Mont., and started his auto career in Spokane. Company owner Cliff Findlay has a vacation home in the Black Rock complex on Lake Coeur d’Alene.
Hyundai debuted in 1967 with its Cortino model in Seoul, South Korea. Now with the primary Tiburon and Santa Fe models, it has teamed with the Kia company to sell 3.7 million cars in 2005.
Convertec helps businesses
Offering several types of special help for businesses, Convertec Business Solutions opened this week at 3646 Cederblom Ave., south of Home Depot, in Coeur d’Alene.
“We have our own little geek squad,” explained Michael Forest, who owns the company with Adam Johnson.
The four workers offer call-center services, Web site development, technical billing, phone systems, voice-overs and product support plans. Phone (888) 745-4099.
Tidbits
“We’ve talked lately about how landscaping can help a business if it looks good. The former Los Sanchez Restaurant at Fourth and Appleway, Coeur d’Alene, will definitely look better when it opens as a new Fiesta Mexicana. Watch for details. Another positive exterior comment came for Shabby-to-Chic on Fourth Street.
“Here’s a weird thing to notice in motels: The toilet paper usually rolls from the top. Management says customers roll off less that way and the maids can turn the corners to make the roll look nicer and the ends easier to grab. Wow.
“CdA architect Bill Dahlberg’s daughter Kim Phelps has joined him as a partner in Dahlberg Architects at 211 Coeur d’Alene Ave. She’s a UI graduate and worked in Bellevue, Wash., for nine years. Phone (208) 765-2639.