Montvale gains new management
A hotel with an old European flair has a new management team with expertise in running boutique hotels.
A group of employees recently left Hotel Lusso to run the Montvale Hotel, a 36-room boutique hotel that’s home to the popular Catacombs Pub. The Montvale is owned by Spokane developer Rob Brewster, who is also a partner in a Seattle project that will reinvent the Arctic Building, near Pioneer Square.
Doug Griepp, the new general manager for the 36-room hotel, said the business plans to get started on several improvements this year. Renovations include adding an upscale restaurant and retro martini bar in a space adjoining the west side of the lobby. The restaurant will serve tapas, sample-size servings that are shared by groups, he said. On the lower level, they plan to add a ballroom-banquet hall that seats 60 to 75.
“It’s kind of exciting. We were just ready for a new challenge and it gave us the opportunity to really open this hotel right,” Griepp said.
While Hotel Lusso lost some of their veteran staff, some familiar faces have returned.
Monica Peters, a manager with 12 years of hotel experience, helped open the Lusso and recently moved back. She’s now the director of operations.
“I figured if there was anyplace for me here it’s going to be the Lusso,” she said.
Jason Rex also returned to become Montvale’s food and beverage manager, overseeing Fugazzi, the adjacent cocktail lounge and will oversee banquets.
In the shuffle, the Montvale gained Griepp, a 20-year veteran of the hospitality industry; Rita Bucknell, assistant general manager;Brenda Dodd, sales manager; Janice Dack, executive housekeeper; and Dan Hosler, front desk manager.
The team is promoting its weekday hospitality to business travelers, he said, and has added a Suburban to shuttle travelers.
“It has been very successful. The vehicle is used a lot,” Griepp said.
They’re also marketing weekend getaway packages for two that include accommodations and dinner at Catacombs Pub, two tickets to AMC movie theater, valet parking and full continental breakfast for $159.
Peters of Hotel Lusso said she worked with Griepp and others who left.
“We obviously wish them superior success over there.”