Wyndham Hotels and Resorts Adds Landmark Historic Hotel to Portfolio
	Wyndham Hotels and Resorts announced the opening of the revitalized 90-room George Washington Hotel - A Wyndham Historic Hotel in downtown Winchester, Va.
The opening follows a transformational multimillion-dollar restoration of the five-story building's existing exterior and public spaces that began in late 2005 and includes the conversion of underutilized hotel areas into an indoor swimming pool, new kitchen and restaurant, landscaped courtyard and glass gallery connecting the hotel's two wings. The hotel is owned by GW Development LLC, which purchased the building in 2003, and operated by Winchester-based CB Hotels. The George Washington is the eighth historic property to join the Wyndham portfolio, which includes the Abraham Lincoln in Reading, Pa., Hotel Galvez and Tremont House in Galveston, Texas, The Roberts Mayfair in St. Louis, The St. Anthony in San Antonio, Union Station in Nashville and The Whitney in New Orleans. Story continues below ↓ Advertisement Peter Strebel, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts president, said Wyndham historic hotels are a 'very special part of the brand's DNA.' 'Wyndham historic properties play a significant role in their local heritage by maintaining their historic integrity, unique architecture and ambience,' he said. 'We are honored to work with the dedicated hotel staffs who labor tirelessly to preserve the historic roots of some of our country's most celebrated hotels. 'We proudly welcome the George Washington into our distinguished family of upscale hotels.' Built in 1924, the hotel became an icon of elegant service and quality accommodations playing host to celebrities including Ed Sullivan and boxer Jack Dempsey. The renovated George Washington Hotel offers modern comforts including wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, included at no additional charge to Wyndham ByRequest(R) members, two-line cordless speaker phones, ergonomic Herman Miller(R) desk chairs, plush-top mattresses, and suites with baths featuring full-body sprays and overhead 'rain' showerheads. Highlights include The Dancing Goat restaurant, an exhibition kitchen that enables diners to watch their gourmet fare prepared, elegant lobby bar with 11-foot murals portraying 1920s jazz club scenes, fireplace, piano and original 12-foot windows overlooking the historic district, grand ballroom with twelve opulent chandeliers, and an indoor swimming pool reminiscent of a Roman bath with stone balustrade, fountains and columns. The hotel also offers 6,000 square feet of meeting space including two executive boardrooms, two breakout rooms and outdoor garden. For corporate meetings and retreats, the hotel can host groups up to 150 and receptions up to 300. The Grand Ballroom can accommodate 175. The hotel is in the heart of Winchester's Historic District, within walking distance of attractions including the Old Court House Civil War Museum, the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, George Washington's Office Museum and Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters Museum. The George Washington last operated as a hotel in the mid-1970s. President George Washington came to Winchester in the 1740s as part of a survey team and worked with pioneers who were mapping the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia. Guests can see remnants of Fort Loudoun where Washington lived and the office where he worked as a surveyor and later as a military officer. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, a subsidiary of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), offers upscale hotel and resort accommodations throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico and the Caribbean. All hotels are either franchised or managed by Wyndham Hotels and Resorts or an affiliate. Additional information is available at www.wyndhamworldwide.com.