New extended stay hotel targets business travelers

CMG of Easton Inc. of Palmer Township is building a 101-room Candlewood Suites by IHG at 1630 Spillman Drive off Route 412, Bethlehem, in Lehigh Valley Industrial Park VII.

Construction started on the 65,000-square-foot project in June, said Jason Pezzuti, president of CMG of Easton.

The property is owned by Steel Hospitality, an ownership group based in Upper Macungie Township.

“We were looking for an extended-stay property and we just saw a need,” said Nina Patel, co-owner of Steel Hospitality.

The four-story Candlewood Suites hotel is expected to open in the spring. The estimated construction cost is $9.5 million, Patel said.

The group also owns the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bethlehem on Cherry Lane, she said.

The Candlewood Suites hotel will offer a home-like experience for extended-stay travelers and is a pet-friendly hotel, Patel said.

“It provides a more relaxed, casual experience,” she said. “There’s spacious studios and one-bedroom suites. We do have a very large gym and fitness center, free guest laundry facilities.”

The hotel is looking to cater to the business traveler who needs to stay in the Lehigh Valley for a few weeks, Patel said.

Kitchens are fully equipped with a two-burner stove, large refrigerator and other amenities such as plates and utensils.

The rooms also have an executive desk, recliner and/or sofa bed.

Guests can access the 24-hour Candlewood Cupboard, where they will find breakfast items, snacks, refreshments, entrées and necessities available on the honor system.

Through the Lending Locker, guests can borrow items they may need during their visit, including a desk fan, crock pot, extra lighting, blenders and large kitchen appliances, she said.

This hotel will have a large indoor pool and outdoor gazebo for grilling and relaxing. Guests can use the 400-square-foot boardroom, she said.

Many local companies are working on the project, including JPA Masonry of Mount Pocono, which is doing the masonry and concrete work; MBI Heating & Air Conditioning of Allentown; and several others.

AP Architecture of Charlotte, N.C., is the architect.