Camas Hotel to host open house Friday

The owners of the Camas Hotel will soon be ready to show the results of a third floor renovation project.

Tom and Karen Hall will host an open house during the First Friday festivities, from 5 to 8 p.m. Snacks and tours will be available.

The project has involved taking out six single “bachelor” rooms and adding one king and two queen rooms with bathrooms.

The entire third floor has been upgraded with new doors, paint, carpeting and lighting.

“We upgraded wiring as well, and refurbished the remaining rooms that still have shared baths,” Karen said.

Eight full and queen rooms have been refurbished.

Most of the longer term guests have moved out of the hotel or are moving out very soon.

“Many have been looking for apartments downtown, and the building across the street has a waiting list,” Karen said. “Given the high demand for people who want to live downtown — especially now that we hear the train whistle will be gone next year — we hope some developer will seize the opportunity to build more apartments and condos downtown. This is a perfect village mixed use area.

“We will still offer limited lower rates for extended stay guests on a short term basis in the remaining rooms with shared baths, but we expect to fill up with overnight guests during the summer and fall months,” she added. “The lower rate for ‘European style’ rooms [with shared baths] are very popular with young people and world travelers.”

The Halls, formerly of Ojai, Calif., purchased the hotel and building at 405 N.E. Fourth Ave., in September 2008. Previous renovations have been completed on the second floor, exterior and lobby. A new sign was added, along with awnings, wrought iron faux balconies and a glass-enclosed breakfast room and lounge.

The hotel was built in the early 1900s.

For more information, call 834-5722 or visit www.camashotel.com.