There aren't many hotels that close on Sundays, but that doesn't mean Thanksgiving Point can't try it.
The ambitious Thanksgiving Point project, into which Word-Perfect co-founder Alan Ashton is investing an estimated $60 million, has never subjected itself to the limitations of normal businesses. Given that history, perhaps it is possible to run a top-quality hotel that doesn't have full guest services on Sunday."It would be unusual for the hotel industry," said Loretta King, who promotes local tourism through the Utah County Business Development Department. "Hotels pride themselves on being full-service properties. It's unusual for a hotel to be full-service six days a week and not the seventh."
Thanksgiving Point and Zions Management Corp. currently are discussing plans for the hotel, which could be as large as 280 rooms. Contracts have yet to be signed, but one official suggested groundbreaking could come as early as January.
Thanksgiving Point officials have struggled for two years with the hotel idea because Ashton and his wife, Karen, did not want their retreat open on Sundays.
The Ashtons' religious convictions are the driving force behind the entire project, and they don't believe the business should be open on the day set aside to worship God. The purpose of Thanksgiving Point has always been to honor and express gratitude to God and not to make money.
Still, a hotel would be a valuable addition for visitors who are already attracted by a top-flight golf course, restaurant, gardens and reception center.
Because the residence inn-type of hotel would cater to long-term guests, rooms may not need to be cleaned every day, said D. Clive Winn, executive manager of Thanksgiving Point Managing Co. Some rooms might be suites with kitchenettes, allowing guests to prepare their own food.
The Garden Wall restaurant, boutique and other attractions at Thanksgiving Point would not open on Sunday, although hotel guests might be allowed to stroll around the garden areas.
Live-in managers at the hotel could be on call but wouldn't necessarily be at the front desk throughout the weekend.
"Those are the discussions we've had about meeting the needs of our customers while keeping in mind the ideals we had in the first place," Winn said. As long as people understand the idiosyncrasies of the hotel before they check in, there won't be any problems, he believes.
"We're excited about it," added Winn. "We think it accomplishes what we hoped all along. The hotel fits well if we can overcome some of the negatives, and we think we have. We feel pretty good about it."
It has yet to be decided whether Thanksgiving Point will contract with a national hotelier to run the inn. If not, the hotel could be independently managed, allowing more flexibility in limiting Sunday operations and not serving alcohol.
Kal Farr, general manager of Thanksgiving Point and the man responsible for the hotel's plans, said he was unable to comment on the proposal until contracts are signed. The agreement between Thanksgiving Point and Zions Management could be reached in several weeks, he said.
Thanksgiving Point officials acknowledge, however, that some guest services would have to be provided on Sunday.
"There are just as many requests on Sunday as other days, if not more," said Ann Gambrino of the Utah Hotel and Lodging Association. "People are usually hanging out on Sunday watching football or something."
Winn said Thanksgiving Point's food service operation could provide room service for the hotel and could prepare some meals ahead of time to avoid working on Sundays. Also, patrons would be encouraged to go off-site for meals on the Sabbath, he said.
Current proposals call for the first phase of approximately 100 rooms to be built south of the Garden Wall restaurant building. The hotel and restaurant would be connected by a second-story skywalk. Additional phases could eventually expand the hotel to nearly 300 rooms.
Also, Thanksgiving Point's hotel could include more than 10,000 square feet of convention space and an indoor/outdoor swimming pool surrounded by golf putting greens and a garden.
The Johnny Miller-designed Ambush Golf Course would make the site an attractive one for conferences and other business meetings, Winn believes.
Thanksgiving Point is currently in the process of constructing 70 acres of world-class estate gardens. Also, a company formed just this year has proposed building several aquariums, ranging in size from 50 gallons to 100,000 gallons, near Thanksgiving Point. The company has also proposed a 700,000-gallon, two-story oceanic exhibit and IMAX theater.