By Andrea Harwood
Muhammad Bilal, a Whitehall food wholesaler and restaurant supplier, recently purchased the Travelodge by Wyndham Hotel in Lake George.
The hotel is currently operational with a bar and restaurant, and has 104 rooms. The property sits on just under 10 acres of land in the heart of Lake George, and was purchased for $1.175 million in May.
In additional to owning and operating Green Mountain Food Services in Whitehall, Bilal currently owns an Econolodge in Rutland, Vt. He said the robust tourism in Lake George made purchasing the Travelodge an attractive proposition.
“Lake George itself is a pretty famous spot for its tourism summers. And the hotel has the best location, with the mountain view and the lake view,” said Bilal.
The Travelodge is located at 2011 Route 9 in Lake George.
He plans to keep the hotel open and operating through the 2022 season, and complete renovations during the slower off-season. “We will open up even better next year,” said Bilal.
The property also comes with a bar/restaurant but he does not plan to open them this year because he has not been able to find employees.
“We don’t have any help, so we’re not going to run the restaurant this year. Hopefully, if we have the right staff, we’ll have a good opening for next year,” said Bilal.
The property comes with a residential home as well, which Bilal currently uses as an Airbnb. He plans to continue using the home for that purpose.
“I love being in Lake George, and I love doing business in that town,” said Bilal. “I’m hoping for a good future up there.”
The purchase is one among a flurry of resort sale activities on the lake from late last year to date.
The business website is www.wyndhamhotels.com/travelodge/lake-george-new-york/lake-george-ny-travelodge/overview.
The phone number is 518-685-5255.