Countdown is on for Hampton Inn at Exit 20

By BEA LEWIS

May 13, 2008 - Construction of one of the first franchised branded hotel in the Lakes Region to be developed in years is continuing, with an opening date set for June 10.

David Johnston, the majority holder of the Moultonboro Hotel Group, said the $12 million new Hampton Inn and Suites of Tilton on Route 3 near Exit 20 will offer a number of luxury features including premium bedding and 32-inch, flat panel LCD televisions in each room. The 92-room facility, which also includes 30 multiroom suites, will be equipped with an indoor pool and fitness center.

Minority owners in the Moultonboro Hotel Group are Kevin Attar of southern New Hampshire and Johnston's father, David Sr., a resident of Laconia who also has a home in Florida.

Before seeking and securing international financing for the project as costs exceeded the lending limits of local banks, Johnston said the group contracted to complete a two-month long feasibility study that he said confirmed what he has witnessed over the past two decades as a former resident of Moultonborough.

The Exit 20 area is continuing to expand, the region's population is still growing and that a major hotel was needed to serve customers not only in the tourism area but for business travelers.

Johnston said with Exit 20 already being home to a major outlet mall, plus a Home Depot and Kohl's store, management and sales people who come to call on them have most frequently staying in Concord.

The new Hampton Inn and Suites he believes will provide an affordable alternative and should prove attractive as guests receive a hot breakfast, typically including scrambled eggs and meat instead of a simple continental breakfast.

"We did a lot of research before we decided to invest the money into a hotel. That area is growing and the Exit 20 area has basically blown up and like everyone else we've witnessed that growth," Johnston commented

. "We have a top quality product at the right price and we're confident they'll stay with us," he continued.

Before deciding on a Hampton Inn & Suites franchise, Johnston said, he did some research on his own and learned that many travelers go out of their way to stay at the franchise because of the quality of service and comfortable features they find there.

Those features, coupled with perks like a rewards card that allow guests to earn future stays at Hampton Inn & Suites also add value to the name, he said.

Johnston explained construction was delayed by a combination of factors including the franchise's decision to redesign it lobby areas and the region's record snowfall. Although Hampton gave franchise owners until 2013 to incorporate the new lobby design into the facilities, Johnston said, the group decided to make the changes to the building's design pre-construction, to avoid having to disrupt guests at a later date.

The new lobby design features a large fireplace and numerous couches and easy chairs to prompt guests to mingle in the afternoon and early evenings. Johnston likened the layout and relaxing environment to that of a Starbucks coffee shop or a Border's bookstore.