News : Best Western Hotel in Crandon will offer pool, fitness center for public use

The Best Western Hotel, scheduled to open Thursday, May 24, will feature a pool area and fitness center that will be open to the public, centering around occupancy, for a small fee.

Within the pool area is a hot tub, activity pool with a water basketball hoop and a kiddie pool with a small water slide and water jets. Additionally, the pool area will feature video arcade games.

The completely smoke-free facility hotel will additionally feature wireless Internet, computer area, a lounge and bar with a full liquor license, laundry facility for guests and a lobby with a fireplace. The hotel also comes equipped with an outdoor patio complete with a gas grill, tables and chairs.

The hotel will additionally feature a conference room that can seat between 80 and 100 people. This space, according to Jayne, can be used for class reunions, baby showers and family reunions, as well as business meetings.

According to owners, Jayne and Greg Weber, each of the 46 units in the hotel will feature a microwave and refrigerator, coffee makers, hair dryers, iron and ironing board, as well as a 27 inch television complete with 60 channels including HBO. Each room also comes with either a King size or two Queen size beds.

The hotel's 16 suite rooms not only feature all the amenities of a hotel room, but also include an additional 27 inch television, a couch that folds out to a bed and, in many of the suites, a whirlpool bath.

The Best Western is not Jayne and Greg's first lodging business. They own and operate the Main Street Inn in Crandon as they have for the past seven years. In addition, Jayne and her family have been in the hotel business for many years.

“Jayne and I have been in the lodging business for over 30 years,” said Greg.

Obviously, they bring a great deal of experience with them and it is something they still enjoy doing.

“It is a fun job,” said Jayne. “You get to meet so many nice people.”

When asked why they decided to take on the additional challenge of running a second business, they explained how a project like this has been their goal for years.

“There is a demand and a need for facilities like this up here,” said owners Jayne and Greg Weber. “It has always been our dream to open a facility like this.”

Eventually, the Webers hope to feature special get-away packages including a golf, snowmobiling and Valentine's Day package.

The Webers believe that this new hotel will not only draw people to Crandon but the whole Forest County area.

“Hopefully the hotel will help the whole area,” they said. “Help draw in new businesses and promote Forest County.”

And with hiking, cross-country and mountain biking trails located on site in addition to being on the snowmobile trail, they just might.

According to the Webers, they currently employ twelve people, but plan to hire more once it gets busy. They are currently taking reservations.

For more information or to make a reservation, call (715) 478-4000.