Oct. 18–Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse's Parkview Hotel is partnering with the Best Western chain, but local hotelier Norm Swanson is remaining its owner.
Best Western Hotels & Resorts announced this week that the 83-room boutique hotel at 713 E. Genesee St. has joined its new BW Premier Collection upscale brand.
"The Parkview Hotel is an extraordinary addition to our carefully curated portfolio of hotels that make up the BW Premier Collection by Best Western brand," Ron Pohl, senior vice president and chief operations officer for Best Western, said in a statement.
Swanson opened the Parkview in 2005 in the former Medical Arts Building. Until now, he has operated it as an independent hotel not affiliated with a national brand.
He said he decided to partner with Best Western to gain access to the chain's global reservations system and its Best Western Rewards customer loyalty program, which has 60 million members.
The hotel, which is close to Syracuse University and the hospitals on University Hill, will keep the Parkview name. Small BW Premier Collection signs have been placed at the hotel's entrance and behind its registration desk.
The hotel underwent upgrades to meet Best Western's franchise specifications, including new carpeting and WiFi, a new fitness center that is four times larger than the old one, and new wall coverings and lighting elements. In addition, it will soon offer space for small-group business meetings and events.
Built in 1927, the Medical Arts Building originally contained 50 suites for doctors and dentists.
Swanson's Genesee Grande a few blocks up the road is now his only independent hotel. His Hotel Skyler on South Crouse Avenue and his Tailwater Lodge in Altmar joined Hilton's Tapestry Collection brand in 2017.
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