Chain hotel coming to city in 2009

PHOTO BY DAVID LOWE D.C. Patel, a businessman who owns a Best Western in Kauffman and motels in San Saba and Goldthwaite, plans to open 50 new hotel rooms behind the Country Inn beginning in the fall of 2009. Patel hopes to make the new hotel, which will include an indoor pool and spa, part of either the Best Western or Comfort Suites franchises.

A hotel owner plans to sign with a national franchise and open 50 new rooms in Lampasas behind the Country Inn in the fall of 2009.

D.C. Patel -- who operates a Best Western in Kauffman, two motels in San Saba and one in Goldthwaite -- bought the Country Inn last fall from previous owner Dave Elder. Patel is planning the new hotel, a completely enclosed facility that will include an indoor pool and spa, on the southeast corner of the Country Inn property along U.S. Highway 183.

Construction will not change the existing Country Inn rooms, Patel said.

He and a business partner are trying to sell their Dallas-area Best Western before beginning work on the Lampasas lodging. The partners hope to negotiate with the Comfort Suites and Best Western chains this summer to make the planned new hotel one of those franchises.

"We know the business in Lampasas now," Patel said. "We've been here six or seven months now."