There is a new player on the Vernon hospitality scene.
The Pacific Inn & Suites (4716-34th Street) held a grand opening celebration Thursday night at the onsite restaurant – Ricky’s All Day Grill. The partners officially opened for business Friday.
The hotel sits across the parking lot from its sister chain, the Holiday Inn Express, and is the second building in the Pacific Inn lineup. The other is in Kamloops.
It offers 61 guest rooms and suites, featuring granite counter tops, wireless and wired high-speed Internet and Optik HD TV.
“Our large suites are perfect for families or longer term stays as they have a separate bedroom and a full kitchen with stainless steel appliances,” said HeeSon Domay, general manager of both the Pacific Inn and Holiday Express.
“We have a large meeting room that can serve up to 100 and our guests may enjoy our fitness centre and social lobby area.”
Domay said the dual branding of the adjacent hotels will help gain a broader clientele.
“It’s a little bit of sharing back and forth. By having the two properties not being exactly the same, if we don’t have something that’s not suitable for someone on one side, we can offer it on the other side,” said Domay, formerly of Best Western Vernon Lodge.
“Having the closeness of the two properties makes it easier to share.”
With a number of new hotels set to open (the Fairflield Inn is nearing completion) and others like the Village Green undergoing a massive overhaul, Domay added it is essential to offer quality service and amenities.
“It’s a growing area and we can see that from our economic development. We have an influx (of hotels) coming in. The summer trade has always been strong in the Okanagan Valley. It’s always been hard to find rooms on long weekends.”
Meanwhile, Ricky’s offers a stylish 2,300-square-foot restaurant that will seat up to 124 diners for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Interior design highlights include plush booths, wooden tables and chairs, flat screen TVs, neon lighting and a cozy fireplace. Adjacent to the restaurant is RG’s Lounge, featuring cocktails and food service.
The Vernon location is the ninth restaurant in Ricky’s hotel partner program. After a review of other possible restaurants, the Pacific Hospitality Group chose Ricky’s because the restaurant’s image matches well with the vision they had for the hotel.
“The Pacific Inn will be a great new place to stay with full amenities and services,” said Peter Grewal, the restaurant’s general manager.
Ricky’s will provide a customized room service menu specifically for Pacific Inn guests, as well as limited service for the Holiday Inn Express.
The restaurant opens at 7 a.m. daily, closing at 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 8 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.
