A southwestern New York hotel developer expects to receive word "at any time" as to whether Hampton Inn wants to build an upscale hotel along downtown Warren's riverfront.

Jay Patel, co-owner of Rosewood Hotels, has approached Hampton Inn with a proposal to develop a 65-room hotel on Clark St.
On Aug. 1, Patel outlined a proposal to build the hotel on the riverfront as part of "Impact Warren" and Warren City Council endorsed the proposal, naming Rosewood Hotels as the official downtown hotel developer.

Three weeks later, John McGraw, owner of the Warren Holiday Inn, told council he had decided to build a 70-room Hampton Inn near the Holiday Inn.

Patel said Rosewood remained determined to build the upscale hotel.

Patel said on Monday that Rosewood has made its proposal to Hampton Inn and there continues to be "back and forth" between representatives for the developer and franchise.

"We have not received any confirmed update from the franchise," Patel said, "but we're trying to be very active."

"They have to approve it and say it will be 'any time'," said Patel.

Patel said a proposal will also be made to Comfort Suites and possibly Best Western Hotels, but Hampton Inn remains his first choice for downtown Warren.

"If we don't get one, we will get the other," said Patel. "Now all our options are open."

Patel said he does not know how McGraw's announcement may be influencing the decision of Hampton Inn.

Although Rosewood provided city council with a two-year timetable for construction of the hotel, Patel has said the schedule could be accelerated, depending on progress with a hotel Rosewood is planning in Jamestown, N.Y.

Rosewood has two years from the time council awarded the firm exclusive development rights to actually develop a hotel on the site. Otherwise, the riverfront property will revert to the city.

Construction of the $3.9 million hotel would take eight to 12 months to complete.

Rosewood operates 11 hotels in western New York.