Press: PCI on Tampabay.com
Check it: Changes coming to Travelodge, but the Swigwam lives on:
The Travelodge in St. Pete Beach will emerge from a remodeling with a new look, name and restaurant selection on Oct. 15, says B.R. Guest Restaurants, which manages the property for hotel magnate Barry Sternlicht’s Starwood Capital Group. The 196-room property at 6300 Gulf Blvd. will become the Postcard Inn on the Beach. The restaurant will be transformed into Wildwood BBQ and Burgers and the Swigwam, a tin-roof beach bar since the 1970s, will get a new menu as Bill’s Beach Bar and Burgers. “About all we’re doing to the Swigwam is cleaning it up, but the rest of the hotel is being completely redone,” said Stephen Hanson, B.R. Guest president. Both restaurants have siblings in Hanson’s collection of 16 eateries in New York City, Chicago and Las Vegas. Postcard Inn will be marketed as “affordable” lodging with rack rates of $99 off season, $189 peak season.
[Tampabay.com, 9/9/09]
Love the new look and theme to the old Travelodge, have been visiting since 1998 when it was the Colonial Inn. Last few years been staying a little down the beach but look foward to returning to the new Postcard Inn. Love the Swigwam, best bar on the beach, please rethink changing the name, Swigwam fits your beach surf theme and we already have Sand Dollar Bills, Crabby Bills and Barnical Bills on the beach crawl. Will be down on the first weekend in October, can’t wait to see the progress will be staying there next time i’m in town.
It’s a real shame that a bunch of corporate jerks decided to change the name, look, and feel of a beach bar that has been in existence for over 20 years. I for one will be one of many taking down our license plates and pictures of loved ones down from the establishment.
-Roadie