New owners, new identity for Outlaw Inn

Though the Outlaw Inn in Kalispell will probably be known by that name for years to come, its official name soon will be GuestHouse Inn & Suites.

Rocky Mountain Hospitality, a corporation based in Post Falls, Idaho, that currently owns nine hotel properties, finalized its purchase of the property from Mountain West Bank on Monday. The bank had taken over the Outlaw in 2011.

“We specialize in underperforming hotels,” said Cinthia Rice, co-owner of Rocky Mountain Hospitality with her husband, Steve. “When we purchase an underperforming hotel we remarket it, we rebrand it and we renovate it, and then we look at their expense structure. It’s how we turn a hotel around into a profit-building business.”

Three examples in Idaho — The GuestHouse Inn & Suites in Idaho Falls, Lewistown and Coeur d’Alene — all began making money within the first three months of purchase by Rocky Mountain Hospitality, Rice said.

“Our motto is to provide the best value lodging in all of the markets in which we operate,” she said. “That doesn’t mean the cheapest, but the best price for the amenities we offer.”

Rice said her business specializes in “economy lodging,” though that might not be the label by which the Outlaw Inn has commonly been identified.

“From what I understand, back in its day it was quite high end,” Rice said of the Outlaw, which was built in 1973. “But we’re never going to be able to restore it to that, it would cost millions and millions. We’re going to have to be who we are, which is economy- to mid-market-level lodging with all the amenities.

“We can’t change the age on the property, and that will dictate how much money we can charge. We will never be a new fancy shiny hotel.”

Renovations will begin with the parking lot, Rice said. The lot needs a new blacktop and some filled potholes, and is badly in need of improved lighting. Summer plans also include new air conditioning and improved Internet service. The bathrooms also will be remodeled.

Once the busy summer season is over, Rice said the new owners hope to finish up more work on the property — stucco accents on the exterior, new paint and new carpeting inside to freshen up the rooms. The sign change is expected by Oct. 1

“The furniture is actually quite modern, thank goodness as that’s the most expensive thing to renovate,” she said. “The beds are in great condition and the bedspreads are really nice. And the rooms are so spacious.”

She estimates that they will put at least $300,000 into the remodeling.

The convention rooms, which offer 12,000 square feet of space, are still in very good shape, Rice said. Rocky Mountain Hospitality plans to lease the convention rooms and kitchen to be operated as a separate enterprise.

“We prefer to operate the hotel the best way we can and put our efforts into that and let someone else handle the food and beverage,” she said. “We’re capable of it, but it just takes the focus away from the hotel.”

Some things will stay the same. The Bulldog Pub & Casino will continue to lease its space within the building, she said, and the majority of the employees are remaining in their jobs.  

For reservations, the hotel is currently listed under the Outlaw Inn name on the Internet but Rice said it will eventually be linked to guesthouseintl.com. (The chain has more than 60 locations across 25 states.)

The Outlaw Inn name will still take people where they need to go on the Web, Rice said.

“We have found that people identify with hotels that have had the same name for years, and to most locals it will still be considered the Outlaw Inn. We will keep the domain name so when people search for that it will take them to the GuestHouse.”

Reporter Heidi Gaiser may be reached at 758-4439 or by email at hgaiser@dailyinterlake.com.