The room bathrooms at the Red Lion Hotel have been redone in the project and include new tile, European showerheads, curved shower rods and granite countertops.

Red Lion Hotels Corporation has taken more $40 million to renovate its properties to include guest rooms and public spaces - and the local Red Lion Hotel has received just more $1 million for renovations and refurbishing.

The last renovation at the local Red Lion was in the early 1990s, according to Kristi Snow, director of sales and catering, who said the work includes some definite updates.

“They (the guest rooms) don't look like they're from the '70s anymore,” she said. “They were looking a little dated.”

The excess money was obtained through sales of other properties, which the corporation chose to re-invest those funds into their existing facilities. Each hotel received approximately $1 million, and in the case of the Coos Bay Red Lion, it chose to begin a massive renovation.

According to Snow, the guest rooms in the Coos Bay property have been completely renovated, and now boast new tile in the bathrooms, European showerheads, curved shower rods, elegant lighting, porcelain tiled flooring, new wallpaper, imported granite countertops, custom designed furnishings, ergonomically styled/tiered work areas and the hotel's signature “Stay Comfortable” pillow-top beds.

“It's more welcoming for the guest,” said Snow.

Two new rooms have been added in the renovation. The hotel converted a former exercise room into a new guest room and turned office space into a corporate suite. A new exercise room has been established at another site within the hotel. In May, the hotel became entirely smoke-free.

A second round of improvements will begin in November, when the lobby will be remodeled and, though no exact date has been chosen, the outside of the building will be repainted within in year. After the lobby is finished, the hotel will continue to feature local artists' works. The paintings of Don McMichael are on display now.

So far, all the feedback has been positive for the hotel, with guests remarking they “love the rooms,” said Snow.

For more information, those interested can call Snow at kristi.snow@redlion.com, or call 269-4055 or 217-9587.