Windsor Aughtry completed a $2.6M full-property renovation at Hampton by Hilton Roanoke Downtown, covering all guestrooms, meeting rooms, public spaces, and the fitness center.
The Colony House Motor Lodge, one of Roanoke's most distinctive mid-century modern landmarks, announced the appointment of Joy Barlow as general manager. Barlow will oversee all operations at the 67-room boutique property, which officially reopened in August 2025 following a multi-million-dollar restoration that preserved its iconic Googie-style architecture while introducing modern hospitality amenities.
The Colony House Motor Lodge, one of Roanoke’s most distinctive mid-century modern landmarks, announced the appointment of Joy Barlow as general manager. Barlow will oversee all operations at the 67-room boutique property, which officially reopened in August 2025 following a multi-million-dollar restoration that preserved its iconic Googie-style architecture while introducing modern hospitality amenities.
After closing more than nine years ago, the Colony House Motor Lodge, one of Roanoke’s most distinctive mid-century modern landmarks, has officially reopened following a multi-million-dollar restoration. Originally opened in 1959 in the bold Googie-style and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2023, the property is now a fully reimagined boutique destination that merges retro flair with modern hospitality.
After closing more than nine years ago, the Colony House Motor Lodge, one of Roanoke's most distinctive mid-century modern landmarks, has officially reopened following a multi-million-dollar restoration. Originally opened in 1959 in the bold Googie-style and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2023, the property is now a fully reimagined boutique destination that merges retro flair with modern hospitality.
Roanoke was a little town named Big Lick when enterprising railroad magnate Frederick J. Kimball chose it as the site of a major railroad juncture. After Kimball combined two of his railroads into the Norfolk and Western Railroad, he built a comprehensive community with the Hotel Roanoke as its grand centerpiece.
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Tyler Wilson director of finance for Stonewall Resort, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Roanoke, West Virginia. André D'Amour, general manager, made the announcement.
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Julie Davis-Petit director of sales and marketing for Stonewall Resort, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Roanoke, West Virginia. André D’Amour, general manager, made the announcement. Julie Davis-Petit previously served as task force director of events, sales and marketing for Benchmark, working on assignments in New Jersey, Texas, Florida and West Virginia. Prior to joining Benchmark, she held the director of sales and marketing position for Marriott Autograph Collection – Hotel ICON, a property Benchmark originally opened in Houston, Texas. Earlier Ms. Davis-Petit held several senior leadership positions for hotels and hotel management companies in locations throughout California.
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Karen LaRue director of human resources for Stonewall Resort, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Roanoke, West Virginia. André D’Amour, general manager, made the announcement. Karen LaRue comes to her new position with more than 15 years of progressive experience in human resources. Ms. LaRue brings a diverse Human Resources background to her new role, having held positions in the Hospitality, Manufacturing and Banking sectors. She was most recently a human resources consultant at the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority in Roanoke, Virginia.
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Larry Johnson director of finance for Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Roanoke, Virginia. Hotel Roanoke is a part of Curio - A Collection by Hilton. Brian Wells, general manager, made the announcement. “I am very happy to welcome Larry to our property,” said Mr. Wells. “He comes to us with important experience in hotel finance, gained in several leadership positions across multiple hotels. We look forward to his active participation as part of our executive team.” Larry Johnson brings years of experience in hotel finance to his new position with Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. He was previously director of finance for the Hilton Durham in his native state of North Carolina. During his tenure there Mr. Johnson was twice honored with the Director of Finance of the Year Award by Interstate Hotels & Resorts, which manages the property. He also held a seat on the company’s Finance Council. Johnson has served as director of finance for Embassy Suites by Hilton Raleigh Durham Research Triangle, the Embassy Suites by Hilton Greenville Golf Resort and Conference Center, and Durham Marriott City Center. Mr. Johnson is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has relocated to Roanoke.
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named André D’Amour general manager for Stonewall Resort, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Roanoke, West Virginia. Todd Felsen, senior vice president of operations, made the announcement. A veteran hotel executive with 25 years of senior leadership experience, André D’Amour previously served as director of operations for Cheyenne Mountain Resort, the Four Diamond, IACC-certified property located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His tenure at the resort was capped with the property being named Benchmark’s Hotel of the Year for 2016.
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Jason W. Jonilonis director of food and beverage for Stonewall Resort, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Roanoke, West Virginia. Todd Felsen, senior vice president of operations, made the announcement. Jason Jonilonis previously owned and operated a successful food and beverage consulting business, specializing in enhancing culinary quality. In this role he worked closely with staff, restaurant concepting and product development for hospitality and casino clients. Jonilonis has also served as a task force food and beverage director for Topnotch Resort in Stowe, Vermont. Prior to this he was with Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa™ of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Mr. Jonilonis’ distinguished 30-year culinary career includes serving as executive chef for the Casino Del Sol Resort, Hacienda Del Sol and Westward Look Resort, each of Tucson, Arizona. He has been a featured chef multiple times at the James Beard House in New York City. Many of the restaurants under his direction have received numerous awards of excellence, including Forbes Four Star and AAA Four Diamond ratings.
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Jim Koutsky director of finance for Stonewall Resort, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Roanoke, West Virginia. Ed Riley, general manager, made the announcement. A veteran hotel executive, Jim Koutsky was most recently chief financial officer for Visionary Destin, a resort and property management company located in Destin, Florida. He previously served as corporate controller for Callaway Gardens Resort of Pine Mountain, Georgia. Mr. Koutsky has held finance positions at Amelia Island Plantation, and during a 14-year period with Hyatt Hotels, served as controller for a number of downtown hotels and large scale resorts. He is a graduate of Southern College, located in Orlando, Florida. Mr. Koutsky resides in Bridgeport, West Virginia.
Home2 Suites by Hilton, part of Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) All Suites portfolio, announced today its newest property, Home2 Suites by Hilton Roanoke. Designed for travelers who want to maintain their normal routine, the hotel features 121 suites and a range of value, tech-focused and eco-conscious amenities. Home2 Suites by Hilton Roanoke anchors the Blue Ridge Parkway, the most visited site in the National Park System*.
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Ed Riley general manager for Stonewall Resort, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Roanoke, West Virginia. Greg Champion, president of BENCHMARK, made the announcement.
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Dyal Sandhu director of operations for Stonewall Resort, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Roanoke, West Virginia. The appointment represents a return to BENCHMARK for Mr. Sandhu. Todd Felsen, senior vice president operations, made the announcement. Dyal Sandhu was previously opening director of food & beverage for the Zemi Beach House Resort & Spa on Anguilla in the British West Indies. He served in the same capacity with Viceroy Hotels & Resorts and earlier for Anantara Hotels & Resorts, Republic of Maldives. Mr. Sandhu’s previous position with Benchmark was as director of food & beverage for Bedford Springs Resort, an historic Pennsylvania property which Benchmark restored and operated at the time. Mr. Sandhu is a graduate of the International College of Hospitality Administration located in Brig, Switzerland. He has relocated West Virginia.
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Brian R. Wells general manager for The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, which is part of Curio - A Collection by Hilton. Brian Wells brings 25 years of exemplary leadership experience as general manager, in food and beverage and within property operations to his new position at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. He was most recently general manager for the Hilton Durham located in Durham, North Carolina. During his tenure there, the hotel received numerous awards of excellence from the Hilton brand and TripAdvisor among many others. Mr. Wells has also served as area general manager for the Nathan Hale Inn & Conference Center, a full-service hotel complementing the University of Connecticut, and as task force general manager for the Sheraton Colonial of Wakefield, Massachusetts.
Hilton Worldwide's (NYSE: HLT)Hampton by Hilton brand, the global mid-priced hotel that serves value- conscious and quality-driven travelers around the world, today announced the opening of its newest property, Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Roanoke-Downtown. The 127-room hotel, managed by Hospitality America, joins the Hampton by Hilton family of Hampton Inn by Hilton and Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton hotels. Located at 27 Church Avenue SE, the new hotel is situated in the heart of downtown Roanoke.
Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has been selected to operate the historic and iconic Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, located in Roanoke, Virginia. The hotel's long- time general manager, Gary Walton, will continue to lead the property's team of hospitality professionals. Additionally, the property will join Curio – A Collection by Hilton by month-end, a global set of remarkable upscale and luxury hotels handpicked for their unique character and personality. The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center is now a part of the Benchmark Resorts & Hotels brand portfolio.
The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, with history dating back more than 130 years, has announced it will join Curio - A Collection by Hilton as the brand's first hotel in Virginia on February 28. As Hilton Worldwide's (NYSE: HLT) rapidly-expanding global collection of distinctive upscale and luxury hotels, Curio caters to passionate travelers seeking local discovery and authentic experiences. The fully-restored hotel - managed by Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and owned by Virginia Tech Real Estate Foundation - features local history throughout, and is connected to a state-of-the-art, 63,000-square-foot conference center.