Firebrand Hotel to open this summer

A new downtown Whitefish hotel is expected to open early this summer, according to Averill Hospitality.

The 86-room Firebrand Hotel is currently under construction at the corner of Second Street and Spokane Avenue.

“Construction is going well, it’s on schedule,” said Edna White, sales and marketing director for Averill Hospitality. “We do expect to be opening in early summer.”

White said the target opening is early June, but the hotel is currently booking reservations for Aug. 1 and later in case of unseen hurdles.

Averill Hospitality President Brian Averill also operates the Lodge at Whitefish Lake with his brother, Sean, and father, Dan. The Lodge at Whitefish Lake offers a heavily wooded and rustic feel. White said the Firebrand Hotel, which will have an independent identity from the Lodge at Whitefish Lake, will induce a more contemporary, high-tech atmosphere.

“It’s going to be much more contemporary with a lot of technology incorporated into the experience,” she said.

Each room will include smartphone-enabled locks, allowing guests to access their rooms by virtual keys uploaded to their phones at check-in. Guests will be able to stream media from their smartphone to the TV in each room.

White said the Firebrand Hotel is developing a remote check-in app for guests to check in without having to go to the front desk. This feature will only be available to loyalty program guests and corporate travelers during the first few months, White said.

The hotel will offer 81 deluxe rooms and five premium suites. Each suite contains a full fireplace; four of the five will have a balcony overlooking downtown Whitefish.

The building was designed with the Rocky Mountains in mind, featuring granite and stone on the building’s facade, guest rooms and lobby. The interior will be lined with massive timbers to commemorate the logging industry that anchored Whitefish, which first was named Stumptown. A rooftop patio will offer views of downtown Whitefish.

“The Firebrand Hotel takes its name from the iconic pass in Glacier National Park as well as the independent spirit that keeps Whitefish an extraordinary place,” according to a press release from Averill Hospitality.

The hotel will include a 750-square-foot conference room, boardroom hospitality suite and bridal party room.

The Firebrand Hotel is the next chapter of the Averill family’s hotel and lodging legacy. The Averills’ grandfather, Les, developed the Lodge at Flathead Lake back in the 1940s. The Lodge at Whitefish Lake is currently Montana’s only resort with AAA’s four-diamond rating.

Future Firebrand Hotel guests can reserve rooms at www.firebrandhotel.com or by calling 844-863-1900.

Reporter Seaborn Larson may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at slarson@dailyinterlake.com.