Ascend Hotel Collection from Choice Hotels International has added the Century House in Latham, New York to its list of member hotels. The historic hotel has been family-owned for more than 65 years.
“The Century House is a remarkable addition to the Ascend Hotel Collection. This well-known property is beloved by the community and its loyal guests,” says Michael Murphy, senior vice president of upscale brands at Choice Hotels International. “The Century House has been a destination for travelers as well as locals for decades because of its commitment not only to delivering a high level of service to guests, but for serving the community outside its doors as well.”
The Century House was originally a residential farmhouse built in the late 19th century. In 1949, Jim and Dorothy O’Hearn purchased the property and transformed it into a restaurant to serve travelers along the only road between New York City and Montreal.
Throughout the hotel, historic, antique touches directly relate to the property’s humble beginnings. Wide plank vintage chestnut floors were recovered from a 200-year-old barn and the original property’s barn foundation stones were salvaged and placed in the fireplace’s hearth and in some parts of the brick walls. Vintage silverware was embedded into 150-year-old brick on the walls and antique keys and a lockset are embedded in the mortar on the hearth and face of the fireplace.
Through its Enjoy One Share One program, for each meal served in the property’s restaurant and each room night sold, the hotel donates one meal to a local soup kitchen. Since the program began, the hotel has donated more than half a million meals. Further, through a partnership with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, Century House’s staff volunteers every month to a rotation of local soup kitchens to serve meals and give the regular soup kitchen staff a day off.
