what is the deal with
Just wondering about the Ben Franklin hotel on third, and what the deal was. All I know is that it is being remodled but to what extent and is it going to stay orginal or what?
The Ben Franklin Hotel was purchased by a San Francisco based Boutique Hotel company callled CitiSuites. They currently operate 4 or 5 hotels in the city. They are currently doing a remodel and facelift to bring the Ben back to it's original splendour. It will remain a hotel usage targeted at business travellers primarily but really want the hotel be a community center for the City and the Downtown. It should look pretty much like it always has from the exterior only cleaned up and restored. The owners are hoping to be re-opened by Spring of next year and possibly by New Years. Look for a big celebration announcement for it's grand re-opening here and on CitiSuites Web Site. They plan to throw a big party for the community to celebrate.
I'm so glad someone is doing something with the hotel. I used to work in a building that overlooked the pool when United owned the hotel a number of years back. It's such a great building and San Mateo landmark; it was painful to see it sit vacant. I look forward to staying a night when they open up. I always wondered about the place and am curious to see the interior and maybe take a dip in that pool that I could only view from afar. It will be dinner and many drinks at Astaria and then just a short stumble up to my room at the new Ben Franklin!
Can't wait to see what they've done to the old Ben Franklin. They've been working on it for a while now. Nice to see the exterior keeping it's historic charm. Does anyone know the exact date of the grand reopening? Hopefully there will be a way for the public to see the updates. If not I just might need to spend a night downtown to check it out.
They have a website up at http://www.thehotelben.com It has more information that the CitiSuites website.
They are scheduled to have a HUGE grand opening as a sort of reunion for downtown San Mateo. This really is a historic building with a historic -- and well planned -- restoration project. The resurrection of Ben Franklin will most definitely add to the charm of downtown San Mateo. I can't wait to see it!!!
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