Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories From AHS to paradise: Ashland High alum Wolf runs successful snorkel tours in Maui Weather change should reduce haze from Siberian wildfires Upstart Ashland theater to close doors after failure to get proper permits Police Reports Modern Chinese classic not lost in translation Education From AHS to paradise: Ashland High alum Wolf runs successful snorkel tours in Maui Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Bracing for Common Core Ashland Kiwanis recognize Lillian Huang Chautauqua series brings author Jane Hamilton to Ashland Environment Ashland Fire & Rescue Alarm Box: There are good fires and there are bad fires Lots to celebrate at SOU Arbor Day rites Business From AHS to paradise: Ashland High alum Wolf runs successful snorkel tours in Maui Ride & Drive: 2015 Ford F-150 Cars We Remember: Chevy Impala SS history Silvio Calabi: Scion FR-S is a budget sports coupe Bank and coffee shop space in new concept in new Ashland building Politics and elections Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Council wants changes to agreement with ODOT for I-5 welcome center Arthur I. Cyr: Afghanistan progress is uneven but undeniable State News Oregon lawmakers begin minimum wage debate Runners to follow historic salmon migration path Nation - World Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Death Notices Ralph Neuman Lucille Chapman Death Notices Death Notices Shareable Sports Latest Stories SOU's Maguin pockets fourth CCC honor Fantasy Sports: Injury bug still biting Toronto’s Reyes Beating in Memphis Ashland community pitches in for coach's dream trip Ashland Rowing Club offers clinic for new rowers High school SOU swept, but gets help in playoff race Grizz softball team keeps rolling AHS girls edge Roseburg Raiders remain No. 1 in spring poll Grizzlies blow away Eagles Southern Oregon University SOU's Maguin pockets fourth CCC honor SOU swept, but gets help in playoff race For Raiders, a homecoming Raiders remain No. 1 in spring poll Grizzlies blow away Eagles Voices Latest Stories Our View: Close gun-sale loophole City looking for ways to create a healthy Ashland for all ages Dianne Williamson: Beneath beauty, ugliness Letters to the Editor, April 20 Chris Honoré: Faith-based rejection of vaccines Editorial Our View: Close gun-sale loophole Our View: Help fill empty bowls in Ashland Our View: Jackson County should say yes to Circle of Teran rehab request Our View: New cat on the block in Ashland Our View: Ashland High benefits as cycle racing club gets rolling Letters Letters to the Editor, April 20 Letters to the Editor, April 14 Letters to the Editor, April 13 Letters to the Editor, April 11 Letters to the Editor, April 8 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Allegations unfair to Dr. Tomashefsky Guest Opinion: Fremont cottonwood is not a hazard Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Columns City looking for ways to create a healthy Ashland for all ages Chris Honoré: Faith-based rejection of vaccines Guest Opinion: Allegations unfair to Dr. Tomashefsky Herb Rothschild Jr.: Spreading the risk of vaccination Matthew T. Mangino: Mass incarceration enters the national consciousness Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Community blog: Poetry events and calls for submission Community blog: Go to the poetry reading at the library on Sunday Community blog: Poems for parenting A tale of two plays at OSF Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Theater Ticket Availability 'Secret Love' playwright Stan Lai appears in Ashland Modern Chinese classic not lost in translation Ticket Availability Ticket Availability Music On TV: Your guide to the Academy of Country Music Awards The Farr Side: Intriguing time on the Hot 100 Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship The Farr Side: Is Kelly Clarkson’s weight truly news?  Rhythm is on tap at the Northwest Percussion Festival Visual Art More films, excitement than ever for AIFF Ashland's First Friday Art Walk Movies Movie review: Based-on-fact ‘True Story’ asks, ‘Who’s fooling who?’ Movie review: Lots of monkey business in ‘Monkey Kingdom’ Russell Crowe discusses WWI and being a first-time director 'Cinderella' revisited is stunning, magical Ben Steelman: Big-screen showings to mark anniversary of ‘Sound of Music’ Food and Drink Business profile: Couple opens second Pita Pit in Ashland Tot owners buy Playwright, hire Amuse chef Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Dr. Elaine Heffner: Ask the mother Food for Thought: The new place of dairy on a paleo plate Community Blog: Giving is Receiving Episode 2.8: A virtual visit to a pawn shop Wry & Ginger: Time to reconsider our state names? Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Close gun-sale loophole ... City looking for ways to create a healthy Ashland for all ages ... Weather change should reduce haze from Siberian wildfires ... Our View: Close gun-sale loophole ... City looking for ways to create a healthy Ashland for all ages ... Weather change should reduce haze from Siberian wildfires ... ASHLAND HILLS HOTEL Renovations progressing on Oregon's 'front gate' 100 rooms open, 50 more due in the spring, then Grand Ballroom set for the summer Millions spent on makeover for lodging, conference complex expected to employ about a hundred people, attract thousands of visitors Comment By Sam Wheeler For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Sam Wheeler For the Tidings Posted Dec. 15, 2014 at 7:38 PM Updated Dec 16, 2014 at 11:06 AM By Sam Wheeler For the Tidings Posted Dec. 15, 2014 at 7:38 PM Updated Dec 16, 2014 at 11:06 AM » RELATED CONTENT • Newly renovated Ashland Hills hosts open house • 'Really, honey?' • Hotel owners Doug and Becky Neuman buy Circle of Teran • Closed since 2007, Windmill Inn to be remodeled, reopened • Ashland Hills Hotel » Social News Neuman Hotel Group is bringing back the same elegantly lit and commodious swag that made Ashland Hills Hotel and Suites’ a traveler destination during the late 1970s and early '80s — with a few updates of course. “The whole point is to introduce the I-5 traveler to Oregon. We want to make it the ultimate front gate,” said Becky Neuman, walking through a newly renovated wing of 30 guest rooms flanking the hotel’s lobby. Since April 2013, Neuman Hotel Group owners Doug and Becky Neuman, together with their partners Mike and Laura Naumes — and the support of the Neumans’ company — have been renovating this largest hotel and conference-banquet event space in Southern Oregon. The nearest larger space is at Seven Feathers Casino Resort, 82 miles north in Canyonville. When Becky Neuman’s husband and Don Anway, Neuman Hotel Group’s general manager, began discussing a possible purchase of the Ashland Hills property in 2013, she wasn’t fully on board. Considering donwtown’s Ashland Springs Hotel, Lithia Springs Resort, Medford’s the Inn at the Commons, “my first thought was ‘really, this is so not boutique, what are you guys talking about?’” Becky Neuman said. “We lean heavily on Don and our team for any decisions we make. We just want to make sure that we’re buying it right, and making sure operationally it’s going to work ... and it was just so buy-it right,” she said. Having acquired the original two- and three-story buildings, which housed 160 rooms, a lounge, restaurant and banquet space fit for 700 people and a building housing 70 suite rooms all on 14 acres for $1.6 million, the Neuman’s were certain they could have success reenergizing Ashland Hills. Windmill Inns of America paid $5.4 million for the Ashland property in 1995. In 2007, all of the original two- and three-story buildings were closed. It opened in 1978 as Ashland Hills and in its heyday was valued at $10.6 million. When they bought the property in April 2013, the Neumans said they planned to invest up to $6 million renovating the rooms, restaurant, lounge, meeting spaces, tennis courts and gardens, and hire 100 people to work in management, food and banquet service, housekeeping and groundskeeping. “We knew that they already had a good base. We’ve said from the time we walked in the bones of this property is what really caught our eye and our attention. There is just so much you can add to this property and that’s what we’ve done,” Anway said. And it’s been done with a tasteful nod to the 1970s. The hotel’s original glistening chandeliers, pillar mirrors, bright-bulbed, polished-gold bathroom vanities and framed French art fit well along and tucked away from the hotel’s long, soft hallways. The art was hand selected by Los Angeles-based designer and artist Jack Boujaklain, Becky Neuman said. Further renovation plans include the completion of 50 additional guest rooms by spring 2015; the lobby level Grand Ballroom, kitchen and breakfast mezzanine by summer 2015; and remaining guest rooms and suites, the restaurant and bar and a retail space that will sell all things Oregon beginning in spring 2016. When the full renovation is complete, the hotel will boast about 230 guest rooms and suites and over 10,000 square feet of conference and banquet space. Currently, the hotel has 100 rooms open — 70 are suites, the other 30 are newly renovated guest rooms. The swimming pool, 4,000 square feet of banquet space, exercise room and tennis courts are also open. “It’s Quintessential Oregon ... not many hotels can say they have quintessential Oregon. We are so lucky to have this hotel,” said Becky Neuman, peaking through a guest room window at Grizzly Peak above and beyond the hotel gardens. “And to have a hotel on an exit is always a beautiful thing.” Reach freelance reporter Sam Wheeler at [email protected]. By Sam Wheeler For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Sam Wheeler For the Tidings Posted Dec. 15, 2014 at 7:38 PM Updated Dec 16, 2014 at 11:06 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501