Welland’s newest hotel, Holiday Inn Express and Suites, opens its doors

Basi said Holiday Inn Express and Suites, which offers free parking for guests, is reaching out to sports groups and families that compete in various tournaments in Welland and Niagara, as well as tourists.

“We’re looking for corporate clients as well,” added Karim.

Corporate clients and people doing business in Niagara would help the hotel operate year-round and not depend solely on seasonal tourism.

“We have a boardroom and a small meeting room that can hold 40 people,” said Karim.

Basi can foresee meeting rooms used by residents to hold small functions for family members.

“People can be entertained here,” he said.

The two men said room rates will be competitive and will change seasonally.

Karim said the hotel is running a promotion for the next 90 days with room rates of $99 a night for Niagara residents. He said it’s so people can become familiar with the property and see what it offers.

While no guests were booked for the opening day, put off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Basi said there were people lined up for the weekend. The hotel, he added, was opened six months behind schedule because of the pandemic.

Karim said as the hotel neared completion, people were coming to the doors daily to see if it was open.

Basi said 15 employees are working in the hotel, and he expects to hire more people soon as they increase staffing levels past 20.

Karim said the hotel and its staff will get involved in and support the Welland community, and he hopes the community will support the new facility.

While opening the new hotel, Basi has plans for 0.4 hectares of property he owns next door.

“We have a vision of building an iconic restaurant and banquet hall with breakout rooms,” he said, adding architectural plans are being drawn up.