The Ramada of Texarkana in January re-opened its doors to business after a complete interior top-to-bottom renovation that took two-and-a-half years and cost $2 million. A historical building that has seen many well-known names come through its doors, it now awaits the official grand opening to serve more customers, old and new.
"Ray Niehal bought the hotel in 2015, then the Clarion-LaCross, one of several names the hotel has operated under in its history," said Stacey Hughes, general manager. "Two-and-a-half years ago, Ray made the decision for the re-branding and renovation. It was completed around December of last year."
The hotel has completed a "soft opening," done in January.
"We haven't officially announced the reopening yet," Hughes said. "I believe Ray wanted to bring something new and fresh to the hotel, originally built in 1969. He wanted to give it a new face. And now that face is complete. The hotel was completely gutted out and rebuilt in the interior."
According to Hughes, the Ramada was the first and only full-service hotel for years in Texarkana. Among its special features are an atrium and the largest indoor hotel pool in Texarkana.
"We also at one point had a Red Lobster in the mid-90s. It moved out in the mid-2000s," she said. "We are looking for a new name brand for the renovated restaurant. Which one it will be is to be determined. We also will have a bar with a full range of adult beverages when we are done."
Through the hotel's history, it has had many VIPs as guests.
"Bill Clinton has stayed here, as well as other government officials on both the federal and state level. We've also had musical performers like (the late) Glen Campbell, Tracey Lawrence, 3 Doors Down and others, some of them (like Campbell) who performed at the Perot Theater," she said.
The Ramada of Texarkana has 210 rooms, the most of any hotel in the Texarkana area, according to the management team.
"We decided to join the Wyndham organization because they are one of the largest hotel brands in the world. We are now a part of it," said Ray Niehal, owner.
"This long-standing property has a deep history with Texarkana, but I thought it also needed renovation, which we have just completed. Wyndam, with their top-notch organization and a reservation system with global reach along with other support services made them the ideal outfit to work with," he said.