By Tyler Marr

Family business partners to open luxury hotel

Oct 4, 2017 | 6:00 AM

Flanked by city council members, two local business partners announced their massive new plans for hotel development in the city.

Abdul Hirani and his son Faizan — who currently manage the Best Western — are building the first luxury boutique Premier Best Western hotel in the city. The two expect the project to benefit the city through job creation, economic growth and increased investor confidence. The family has been in Prince Albert since 2008.

“We wanted to build something where we were proud of it and the city is proud of it and the executives who come to work or visit P.A. stay in the city,” Abdul said.

The $15-million four-storey project will be constructed in the south end of the city at Fourth Ave. W. and 39th St. W., and house 82 suites. The hotel is just the first of the two-phase project and plans for an adjacent stand-alone restaurant already underway.

“We are very excited. It is definitely a unique product,” Faizan said. “I know lots of business people retreat back to Saskatoon because this is the kind of accommodation they are looking for. We want to make sure that we have something unique for everybody.”

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Granted rather large design flexibility through selecting the Best Western brand, the developers wanted to hone in on service and experience. With this in mind, they designed a number of large rooms — many of which are over 400 square feet — and designed the building to be awash in luxury amenities. 

For example, Faizan said they have added an extended stay suite that will include a small kitchenette. A gym, pool, hot tub and conference room will also be inside the facility.

The last time a new hotel opened their doors in Prince Albert was the Holiday Inn over a decade ago. Speaking to those who frequent the city, Faizan said, “our customers are certainly asking for it.”

“It is the stigma, people don’t think that something like this would work here…but when you’re in the business and you speak to your guests and you know what is going on, we saw there was a dire need for something like this,” he said. “We think it is going to be successful.”

The hotel will look to attract the likes of business executives and hockey teams.

While the hotel is under construction, a 6,500 square-foot beer store to help with cash flow will be opened first. The store will have a 2,000 square-foot walk-in cooler and a drive-thru.

With a high number of luxury brand hotels setting up shop in Saskatoon and Regina, the Hirani’s said they have no reason to believe why such product would not work well here.

“Our answer to them is no, the luxury brand can work in P.A. too,” Abdul said. “Since we have started, we believe in the city and we progress every year. This kind of product can work here and [people will] come and visit us.”

Construction is expected to start in mid-October and finish by this time next year. The development permit and concessions the city made to secure the project will come forward at the Oct. 16 council meeting for approval.

Chamber applauds move

Chamber of Commerce CEO Larry Fladager told paNOW a high-end hotel in the city will create more opportunities for business leaders to visit and invest in the city.

“It’s prime time for the business community to have options around a higher-end hotel in the city of Prince Albert,” Fladager said. “We need a higher-end hotel option for executives and others that might to come to the city who want to consider their options here.”

In addition to attracting prospective investors to the community, Fladager said the new project will benefit the local economy for a long time to come.

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr