FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WOAY) – The Hill Hall Hotel celebrated its grand opening at an event in Fayetteville on Tuesday, although it has been hosting guests for two months now in the newly renovated former Fayetteville High School and Middle School.
“Our first guest was Aug. 13,” said Amy Summerford, general manager of Hill Hall Hotel. “It’s been really nice to hear all the stories of people who have been over the years.”
Tuesday marked an official ribbon-cutting celebration for the business, which aims to take advantage of Fayetteville’s rich history. The project is part of a two-phase development process by Mountain Shore Properties, which was founded by Charlie Wendell.
“We have a lot of folks coming in from out of town, and we also have a lot of locals who are both coming for the restaurant and for a tour and kind of a trip down memory lane, going through the hotel because they went to school here, they taught here,” Summerford said. “Patsy is Charlie’s mom, and she is kind of the guiding light and north star of the whole project from a hospitality standpoint. And the menu was crafted based on recipes that were in the family cookbook that she made and handed down. And we do everything in the name of Patsy.”
The building offers both accommodations and a full restaurant, and officials say it is another economic boost to the New River Gorge National Park.
“We have to preserve our heritage, and this is part of it. So they’ve done a wonderful job,” said U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. “We have far exceeded the predictions of what the park’s brought into this region in terms of numbers of businesses, employment, the number of dollars that are spent here. That’s exciting, but you’ve got to have a place to stay so you don’t just come and leave. You come and stay.”
It also brings a different sort of lodging option that Fayetteville was lacking before.
“Not everybody wants to camp or be out in a cabin. This is a great option that is in town, that is walkable to all of our amenities and restaurants and shops, and has just elevated the option for a stay in Fayetteville a little bit,” Summerford said.
