Calistoga’s Indian Springs under new management
The owners of Indian Springs Calistoga, John and Pat Merchant, are handing over management of the resort to Woodside Hotels, based in Menlo Park.
Woodside has been in talks with Indian Springs over the past several years, said Greg Alden, CEO of Woodside Hotels.
“As time went on, the Merchant family felt it this was the right time to hand over the reins to a management service,” he said.
There will be no wholesale changes to the property or the philosophy of the resort, as Woodside plans to further develop service standards and continue the Merchant family vision, Alden said.
As of Feb. 1, the organization expected to have General Manager Tim McGregor in place. He worked previously at the Napa Valley Lodge, and Bodega Bay Lodge.
Founded in 1972, Woodside Hotels is a multi-generational family business. The company owns and/or manages nine upscale Northern California hotels and resorts including Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa; Stanford Park Hotel; Hotel Drisco; Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa; Bodega Bay Lodge; Napa Valley Lodge; Bernardus Lodge & Spa; and has recently added Dream Inn Santa Cruz to its portfolio along with Indian Springs.
“As we look at the whole of Napa Valley this (property) is the most rooted in history, and it’s a perfect fit for us,” Alden said. “Over the years, we have worked to perfect the art of operating and marketing independent hotels that are steeped in its local character and charm.”
Indian Springs was founded in 1910, by California’s first millionaire, Sam Brannan.
After bringing their children to the Napa Valley resort for years, the Merchants purchased the property in 1988. They completed a $24 million expansion and renovation in 2016, which included the 17-acre property’s first restaurant, Sam’s Social Club, named after Brannan.
The Merchants also recently purchased the neighboring historic Calistoga Depot for $3 million, and property across the street, which houses a hair and nail salon and two living units above the shop, for $1.4 million.
Cynthia Sweeney covers health care, hospitality, education, employment, transportation, business insurance, and residential real estate. Reach her at Cynthia.Sweeney@busjrnl.com or call 707-521-4259.
