Groundbreaking held for new hotel at site of Best Western fire

Apr. 15—While the developers of a new hotel in Somerset may be named after a thoroughbred horse, in this instance it may be more appropriate to associate them with a different creature — a phoenix.

Just like the mythical bird could be reborn — often depicted as rising from a flame — Thoroughbred Hospitality Group is bringing life back to a property that saw its previous building destroyed by fire.

Back in March 2023, the Best Western hotel located next to Lowe's, just off of South U.S. 27, was destroyed by fire. The building was a total loss and was quickly razed to make way for a new venture.

On Friday, Thoroughbred Hospitality hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a new hotel in the same spot. The new building will be a Home2 Suites by Hilton.

Ameet Patel, CEO of Thoroughbred Hospitality, explained that a Home2 Suites is an extended stay hotel.

"Every room is like a mini-apartment almost," he said, meaning it has a fully-equipped kitchen.

"It's ideal for people staying more than three or four days — if they're staying weeks at a time," Patel said. "But it's also flexible enough to where if you're staying one or two nights, it gives you more space to move around in."

There will be 83 rooms in the new hotel, 22 more than the Best Western had, Patel said. "We actually had to buy some more land to build (toward the west). We're coming back bigger and better than ever."

Current plans are for construction to take 13 to 15 months, depending on weather.

Those gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking got to hear from speakers like Patel, SPEDA President/CEO Chris Girdler, Somerset-Pulaski Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bobby Clue, Lake Cumberland Tourism Executive Director Michelle Allen and officials from city and county governments.

Girdler called the new construction an amazing venue and commended Patel's entrepreneurship, perseverance and dedication.

He also noted had he had worked closely with Allen and Somerset Tourism Director Leslie Ikerd towards getting more conferences and conventions in the area. He said he felt the new hotel would help with that goal.

Allen added that the hotel is "desperately needed, so we're very grateful that you are rebuilding and bringing something back.... We're excited because we have so many things that are coming to Somerset and the Lake Cumberland region, that we'll be able to utilize this new entity for us."

Clue noted, "We see a lot of travelers that come through here that need extended stay. They need something that we haven't had, so I'm really excited about this."

Somerset Mayor Alan Keck recognized those in emergency services who had fought the fire at the Best Western last year, before saying that seeing Thoroughbred bringing back a building after such a loss embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship.

"They're choosing to invest in our community ...what I always want to make sure we are cognizant of is this didn't have to happen, they didn't have to choose Somerset, Ky. They made a conscious choice because they believe in what's happening."

John Alexander, public information officer for Pulaski County Government, spoke on behalf of County Judge-Executive Marshall Todd.

"What you all are providing, is — they say home is where the heart is — and you are providing that home away from home for so many people who are visiting our area," Alexander said.

And while that is true of the guests that stay in such accommodations, Patel also noted that the former hotel felt like home for many of the people who worked there, too.

During the ceremony, Patel pointed out Vickie Gregory in the crowd, someone who had worked at the Best Western for many years.

"The hotel, to most people is a bed, TV and shower," Patel said. "But to some, like our team — Vicki was on our team for 15 years — it's provided her a stable living, along with other staff members. We've have housekeepers with us for over 20 years, we've had maintenance personnel with us for over 10 years. It provides them a home away from home and a wage. When this building burned down, they were more affected than I was, because they spent most of their time there. More than their own homes."

Carla Slavey can be reached at cslavey@somerset-kentucky.com