CHARITON, Iowa – When family and friends come to visit, you want them to have a clean place to stay at the very least. Ideally, they’ll feel welcome. The Hotel Pommier in Chariton hopes to accomplish both of those feats.

The former Super 8 began renovations years ago, and it’s been through quite the transformation. Rooms have been updated and common areas got a makeover. But some of the gathering spaces make this hotel truly unique.

The front parking lot was replaced with a patio. The patio not only has places to sit but also includes a pickleball court, hot tub, grilling area, fire pit, and corn hole. These places have been designed for both guests and locals to gather; locals can play pickleball at the hotel for a small fee.

The local touches extend into the rooms too. Finishes like coat racks are engraved with the state of Iowa. Artwork features local landmarks.

Hotel owner Pritesh Patel says all of these features are meant to welcome people to Chariton and show off the community. He hopes the hotel is a gathering space where everyone feels welcome, and he tries to reinvest in the community as much as possible.

When asked about his hopes for the hotel, Patel says: “You’re in the hotel business because you care about people and you like hosting people, so having the guest reactions and repeat guests that come every year, seeing the smile on their faces makes it all worth it.”

The Hotel Pommier is locally owned and is located on the southeast side of town. You can visit the hotel’s website here.