Two Albert Lea hotels on the north side of Albert Lea with the same owners have hired new managers to bring in some big changes to their establishments.

Holiday Inn Express and AmericInn Lodge & Suites — owned by Bob Adams, Randy Stay and Terry Adams — are on East Plaza Street.

In July, Albert Lea resident Julie Sternhagen took over as the new manager of the Holiday Inn Express, and shortly after, Marsha Rafdal, also of Albert Lea, took over as the new manager of AmericInn Lodge & Suites.

Before the change, both hotels had been under one manager, David Shoff.

Adams said the hotels used to have two managers when he and the other partners first started the business venture.

“It was just a decision made by us partners,” he said. “We thought this was a new avenue to go to. That way we could put a little more attention to each property.”

And with a complete upgrade under way at the Holiday Inn Express, it has definitely been necessary, Sternhagen said.

Holiday Inn Express

The Holiday Inn Express, a 52-room-hotel at 821 E. Plaza St., opened 11 years ago. In August renovations began.

“We’re just looking to upgrade everything to make it more comfortable for our guests,” Adams said. “We’re really excited to give it a new fresh look.”

The hotel offers Whirlpool suites, an indoor pool, an exercise room, a hospitality room and a breakfast bar, including foods such as eggs, sausage, bacon and biscuits and gravy, to name a few of the foods.

There are 15 to 17 employees there.

Sternhagen said when all renovations are completed, everything but the carpet will be new.

Already a new parking lot has been put in, there’s new landscaping and the entire outside of the building has been painted.

Most of the tile in the building was replaced, and automatic doors were installed at the front of the hotel.

Next, crews will start painting the interior, and new curtains, bedding and furniture will be added. There will also be flatscreen TVs, and all countertops will be replaced with new granite ones.

Work should be completed by May.

“It’s going to be nice,” Sternhagen said. “When it’s done it will be Albert Lea’s newest hotel.”

“When we’re done, it will be just like a new hotel,” Adams added. “We’re hoping the community will back us.”

Sternhagen, who formerly managed Premiere Video and worked in sales for Power 96, said she decided to get involved with the management position at the hotel because she had been involved with management in the past.

Plus, her parents used to own Motel 65 on Broadway Avenue for 12 or 13 years, and she got a taste of the hospitality business after running that motel for two or three years, she said.

The Holiday Inn Express also has such a friendly staff who make her job fun, she noted.

AmericInn Lodge & Suites

Rafdal, who has worked at the front desk of AmericInn Lodge & Suites since September 2002, said she thought it would be fun to take on the challenge of manager at the sister hotel.

AmericInn, a 42-room hotel at 811 E. Plaza St., opened in 1994. It employs more than 15 people.

It offers fireplace and Whirlpool suites, an indoor pool and game room. There’s also a breakfast bar and hospitality room for parties and meetings.

The facility is quiet and family orientated, Rafdal said.

Though this hotel is not seeing any major renovations like the Holiday Inn Express, there are some changes happening at the hotel.

Flatscreen TVs have also been installed here, and Rafdal said the hotel is now offering public swim time from about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays for people who would like to use the pool for therapy or exercise. Cost is $5.

Rafdal also emphasized the ability for people to use the pool and hospitality room for parties.

People can rent the room and either choose to bring their own food or to have the hotel coordinate the food with local businesses.

Having lived in Albert Lea her whole life, Rafdal said she is excited about the opportunity of being manager.

She is married with three kids and graduated with a business degree. She also owned her own business for 10 years.

Sternhagen said both hotels will be offering special holiday rates of $59 a night from Dec. 21 through Jan. 2 if local residents are having guests in town for the holiday but can’t put them up.

The Holiday Inn Express can be reached at 373-4000.

The AmericInn Lodge & Suites can be reached at 373-4324.