A new franchise has taken over the longtime Best Western Mountain Shadows location on north Main Avenue in Durango with plans to renovate the rooms.
The hotel at 3255 Main Ave. changed its name as well as ownership on Jan. 12 and is now Baymont by Wyndham under the proprietorship of Purvish Soni. Soni also owns the Best Western Turquoise Inn & Suites in Cortez.
He said the hotel is in a great location because of its proximity to downtown Durango and U.S. Highway 550, which provides quick access to Purgatory Resort. He sa
Durango’s popularity as a tourist destination is growing, and that will only continue in 2023, he said.
Durango was recently ranked as the “most loved” destination in the state based on data from the Tourism Sentiment Index, software that gauges social media conversations and online publications that rank locations on their favorability.
In 2022, data from Visit Durango showed the number of in-state visitors increased by 9% in the months of May and June compared to 2021.
“This is a great town and a great opportunity for the hospitality business,” Soni said.
Soni kept all of the hotel’s existing staff members, totaling between 12 and 30 employees.
Soni said there are renovations being completed on the rooms to make them feel more modern. Some of these include new furniture, redoing wallpaper, adding hardwood floors and updating heating units
“We’ve just upgraded the entire property to give it a better feel, like they are in a modern home,” Soni said.
Soni also works as the general manager for Wyndham International, according to his LinkedIn profile. He said Wyndham has been interested in purchasing properties near national parks. He recently acquired a property near Yellowstone National Park and now is seeking properties near Mesa Verde National Park.
“We have good management experience and have been in this business for the last 10 years,” Soni said.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
