Albert Lea Tribune:
What was formerly the Holiday Inn Express on Plaza Street in Albert Lea is now a Best Western franchise after a transformation that was completed Friday.
The owners and managers of the hotel have been working on the change since September. They were required to either add 23 units to the hotel or no longer be a part of the Holiday Inn company. Best Western showed interest in franchising the hotel, and the owners decided to change companies.
“We went with Best Western because it’s a better franchise,†co-owner Bob Adams said.
Best Western then came and looked at the hotel, 821 Plaza St., and provided a list of recommendations for improvements, and manager Julie Sternhagen said they completed that list and more.
Photo: Kelli Lageson.