By By MICHELE GERLACH – Publisher
The owners of Days Inn of Brewton and the Brewton Inn told a group of city, county and business leaders this week that they're working to improve hospitality services here.
Rayman, Sarju and Dipan Patel, owners of the local Days Inn and Brewton Inn, delivered their message in a lunch meeting at the Brewton Inn Wednesday.
Yank Lovelace, who chairs a subcommittee on economic development for the city's Alabama Community of Excellence program, called the meeting to discuss the importance of hospitality and good facilities to economic development Lovelace said members of his committee had heard complaints about the local motels, but he praised the Patels for their cooperative spirit and desire to improve local service.
Brewton Police Chief Monte McGougin said he recently worked the Patels and the city to develop a policy allowing off-duty police officers to provide security at the Days Inn. The service is provided at the business's expense and also is available to other businesses.
Speaking for her father and brother, Sarju Patel said her family built the Days Inn in Brewton in 1992. At the time, she said, market studies showed that the community would support a mid-market motel.
Several years ago, they purchased the former Brewton Motor Inn.
They first tried to keep part of the facility open as renovations were completed, but decided to close the facility during the renovations phase.
Stucco had been added to the exterior, she said. However, because there was a problem with the sealant, the stucco was removed and will be redone.
Turning to staff-related problems, Ms. Patel said she recently dismissed all but two of the housekeepers at the Days Inn.
Addressing other frequently heard complaints, Ms. Patel said the Days Inn is full five to six nights per week.
She suggested that anyone who needed to book a group of rooms for an event first book half of the hotel, adding other rooms later.
Addressing a safety question, Ms. Patel said exterior entrances to the Brewton Inn will be accessible only with guest keys during the evening hours.
She also said her family is interested in finding someone to lease the restaurant the Inn, adding that the they would upgrade the kitchen facilities if they found someone to sign a long-term lease.
Rates at the Brewton Inn will be about $10 more per night than rates at the Days Inn, she said.
The Patels, former Brewton residents, now live in Mobile. They also own Days Inn of Atmore; La Quinta Inn in Moss Point, Miss.; Hampton Inn in Mobile; Hampton Inn in Saraland; and Ramada Inn in Mobile.
Lovelace said the Patels have been receptive to input about the choices of colors and appointments to be used in the Brewton Inn and have shown a willingness to work with city leaders.