NEW BERN, N.C. (WITN) – After nearly seven years of delays, the long-awaited Holiday Inn Express & Suites has its open sign up and is finally ready for business. <\/p>\n
\u201cWow, that\u2019s amazing! I\u2019m glad it\u2019s finally open, it definitely took a while,\u201d New Bern resident Robbie Evans said. <\/p>\n
The $6 million, 100-room hotel began construction back in 2019 with an original opening slated for 2021 and again in 2023. <\/p>\n
In 2025, East Coast Hospitality, the developers of the hotel, announced that it would open in September, but the opening was delayed to November and then targeted for a soft opening in December.<\/p>\n
Hotel developers say the reason for the setbacks was primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, labor shortages, and the higher cost of supplies from inflation. <\/p>\n
For residents in Craven County, the extra rooms mean more choices, especially during big events. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think there\u2019ll be more economic impact because with MumFest and the Seafood Fest, people have more choices,\u201d Havelock resident Alan Frazier said.<\/p>\n
The hotel is located behind the New Bern Mall and off Highway 70. <\/p>\n
For restaurants like Sake, also located off Highway 70, they say they\u2019re happy about the opening and welcome guests from the new hotel.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it will bring more customers here and keep our business up,\u201d Sake owner Lucy Liu said.<\/p>\n
City officials say a grand opening celebration for the hotel is in the works for March. <\/p>\n
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