Dec. 05–The recession hit the hotel industry hard, including in the Treasure Valley. Occupancy and revenues plummeted, especially at higher-end hotels and those catering to business travelers. Hotels couldn’t afford scheduled room updates and property renovations, said Pat Rice, Greater Boise Auditorium District executive director.

But business has improved. Ada County’s hotel occupancy rate increased to 66 percent in 2013 after being just 51 percent in 2009, and revenues increased 40 percent from 2008 to 2013. With cash flowing again, hotels are catching up on property fixes and room updates.

“(The year) 2006 was the last time anybody could afford to do much,” Rice said. “They’ve been hurting for the last few years, but all of a sudden, the market has changed and the clientele are telling ownership, ‘Do something with your products.’ “

The hotel industry subscribes to a rule of thumb: Spruce up your property every seven years or risk losing customers to competitors. Franchise hotels, or “flagged” properties, write the seven-year rule into franchisee contracts to prevent outdated properties from damaging the brand. Some, such as Courtyard by Marriott in Meridian near the intersection of South Eagle and East Overland roads, set six-year renovation cycles for replacing “soft goods,” such as carpets and wallpaper. Beds are replaced every 12 years, and hard goods, such as tables, are replaced every 18 years.

Courtyard by Marriott began renovating its meeting rooms on Monday and plans to update soft goods in early 2015, General Manager Scott Terry said. His hotel, which opened in 2007, was due for its first six-year update in 2013. Like many hotel managers across the nation, Terry asked Marriott to delay the mandated update. Terry said customers weren’t complaining of sagging beds or that the hotel “looked tired.”

“If you go to your rep and ask to push this work off, if your property is doing well and your scores are good, they’ll work with you on it,” Terry said.

Other Ada County hotels that have renovated or plan to soon:

–Hotel 43, Downtown Boise.

–The Riverside Hotel, Garden City.

–The Grove Hotel, Downtown Boise.

–SpringHill Suites, Boise ParkCenter.

–Hampton Inn & Suites, Downtown Boise.

–Courtyard by Marriott, Boise and Meridian.

–Boise Hotel and Conference Center, which recently sold and will be Wyndham Garden Boise Airport.

The unflagged Grove doesn’t answer to a parent company, but General Manager John Cunningham said it upgraded last spring to avoid losing ground to competitors. The Grove’s renovation included replacing wallpaper, furniture, fixtures, TVs and lamps.

“Our customers don’t care when our last renovation was,” Cunningham said. “They have certain expectations, and we want to meet those.”

Zach Kyle: 377-6464