YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio (WDTN) — A local hotel is opening its doors for the first time, and giving thousands of visitors to a popular town a place to stay.
The Mills Park Hotel opened early Monday morning. It’s located in the 300 block of Xenia Avenue.
Owners tell 2 NEWS the hotel has 28 guest rooms, a conference room, fitness room and banquet hall. Inside the hotel there is a full-service restaurant, which includes breakfast for hotel guests.
Katie Hammond, a co-owner, says her dad, Jim, built tree houses for her when she was young, but he’s made progress with each project.
“He did the Grinnell Mill which has three rooms. And then he came up with this idea.”
It’s an idea that could change a village.
“They can stay right in town, go to the little art theater, eat at some of the restaurants in town. Go do a little shopping, walk the glenn, ride on the bike path. It’s just a fun place to be,” he said.
Just one word to describe the eclectic village.
“It’s just unique. It’s unique. Something different.”
“I’d say vibrant. Also, that’s what is kind of fun about the interior design. It’s kind of crazy, kind of fun. It’s an infusion of Yellow Springs,” she said.
Both Jim and Katie say they hope the hotel will be a catalyst for change in the community — and that visitors will want to stop and stay for longer than a day.
“They can stay longer. Make it a weekend trip instead of I think Yellow Springs is more of a day-trip for out of town people right now,” Katie Hammond said.
That could soon change.
“We did the historical theme and that helps. It looks like the building has been here for awhile. A lot of folks stop and look to think it’s a restoration.”
By the numbers, the hotel features 28 rooms and 24,000 sq. ft. of southern charm.
Owners tell 2 NEWS rooms are booking fast, and they’ve already sold out of banquet space through June for wedding season. They say they’re hoping the build spurs a big economic boom.
“I don’t think you’re going to see anything else popping up, but it’ll just improve the whole economy.”
The hotel has an elevator, and two ADA complaint rooms-a double queen, and a traditional king room. It also features a handicapped ramp on the south side facing Xenia Avenue, and around back near the parking lot.
