By Polly Lynn
KILLINGTON — On Feb. 28, The Inn at Six Mountains sold for $3.3 million to a group of investors. Killington Hospitality Group 1 LLC, a Vermont-based company owned by John Kalish, and Innisfree Hotels, a Florida-based resort company are two major investor groups involved in the purchase and renovation plans. They will now embark on a multi-million dollar renovation of the property, transforming and rebranding the hotel into a comfortable all-season resort, according to a recent Innisfree Hotels release.
Investors plan to to spend $2-$3 million to renovate the Killington Road property, which was built in the late 1980s. Plans call for all rooms to be renovated top to bottom, as well as significant work to the the lobby, restaurant, kitchen and two pools.
“It will be an idyllic setting for weddings, corporate retreats and outdoor events of all kinds,” said Jill Thomas, Innisfree chief marketing officer in the release. The 104-room lodge will feature high-end amenities to accompany its picturesque backdrop adjacent to the 18-hole Killington Golf Course. “We hope to start the renovation in early fall and be finished in time for 2016 ski season,” Thomas added.
Kalish says this deal is the first of its kind in the state from the standpoint of purchasing an established condo hotel and converting it to a privately held single asset hotel.
“With the highly anticipated renovations and our strong partnership, I am very confident that this property will be repositioned as the best hotel in the market,” Kalish said. “It is our goal to provide comfortable accommodations and unmatched customer service in a beautiful environment. We plan to be very engaged with the local business communities and look forward to providing a place our friends and neighbors will be proud of.”
Killington is one of the top 10 most visited resorts in the world and the largest ski and snowboard resort in Eastern North America with over 70 miles of skiable terrain. Its 3,050-foot vertical drop and world-renowned snowmaking and grooming coverage have made this destination a perennial favorite for outdoor enthusiasts. Skiing, golfing, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, summer festivals and fall foliage round out the resort’s annual recreation attractions, making it an ideal location for investment, the release stated.
“After seeing the commitment of Killington’s owners, Powdr Corp, to invest in the mountain and improve the village we decided to make an investment, too,” said Julian MacQueen, Innisfree’s CEO and founder. “We look forward to other opportunities in the area with the same upside potential.”
Innisfree Hotels, established in 1985, owns or manages over 2,000 hotel rooms, with about1,300 employees. The company has developed over $300 million in resorts, hotels, motels, retail centers, and condominium projects.
