The first new hotel built in Cortez in 20 years is set to open May 29, just in time for the tourism season, according to Hilton/Hampton Inn officials.
The 38,000-square-foot, 74-guest-room property on Hawkins Street – officially named Hampton Inn Mesa Verde/Cortez – has been under construction since January 2014.
The owner and developer of the property, Avik Amin of AAA Hotel Developers of Pueblo, said the design concept for the property is “Forever Young,” featuring bright and airy decor, an indoor pool and hot tub, an outdoor patio with barbecue grills, a 24-hour fitness center, complimentary hot and cold breakfast and high-speed Internet, a 24-hour business office and an in-house mini convenience store.
“The concept, ‘Forever Young’ is really something that Hilton has put out there to kind of make the hotels special. … They’re going way light – colors white, everything is clean, crisp and super, super bright,” said general manager Janice Christiansen.
Prospective guests will be able to book online by the end of April, Amin and Christansen said. Hotel officials expect it to be booked through the beginning of fall.
“We’re anticipating it to be pretty much full through October; they’re not sure what it’ll look like through winter. We have so many tourists in summer, and in the fall, hunters come through. ... Cortez truly is a hub for people coming and going someplace. We have people coming from all over,” she said.
The hotel also is hiring through the Southwest Workforce Center on Main Street. About 20 positions are open, including maintenance engineers, guest services assistants, guest room assistants, linen assistants, and breakfast hostesses.
Job candidates can pick up applications at the Southwest Workforce Center, and interviews are expected to begin next week at the Workforce Center. Candidates who love customer service and are “natural-born smilers” will have a leg up on the competition, management said.
“Predominately, people we’re looking for, you can tell when you see them, and we call it ‘Hamptonality’,” Christansen said.
Hampton Inn Mesa Verde/Cortez is located at 2244 E. Hawkins St. The Southwest Workforce Center is located at 2208 E. Main Street in Cortez.