SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (April 5, 2017) – The Gideon Putnam, the historic hotel in Saratoga Spa State Park that closed Jan. 15 after major basement flooding from a water main break, is set to reopen May 1 with new utility systems and renovated guest rooms, bathrooms, corridors, restaurant and lobby.
Delaware North, which operates the hotel for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, determined it could use the opportunity of the hotel being closed due to the flood damage to simultaneously undertake all of the guest room and corridor renovations that had been planned in phases for over the next several years. Delaware North is working with a number of contractors and vendors on the system repairs and restoration work.
“We had to pump out hundreds of thousands of gallons of water and clear areas of the basement that were covered in over 2 feet of mud,” said Paul Jeppson, east regional vice president of Delaware North’s parks and resorts business. “It took time to assess the true scope of the damage to the utilities and infrastructure and how long it would take to replace the boilers, electrical switch gear and other components of the hotel.
“Once we established the timeline for the infrastructure repairs, we decided to go ahead with the guest-facing projects. In combination with the other renovations that we have completed in recent years, our guests will now be staying in an almost fully renovated, elegant and historic hotel,” he said.
The nearby Roosevelt Baths & Spa has remained open as it was not affected by the water main break.
Renovations to The Gideon Putnam include:
- Guest Rooms: All 124 guest rooms have received new carpeting, paint and blinds, as well as renovations to the bathrooms.
- Guest Room Corridors: The guest room corridors have received a complete makeover, including new carpeting, wallcoverings and paint, and new light fixtures have made the corridors much more inviting. Artwork by local artist Frankie Flores has been installed on three floors, and photos of Saratoga’s past adorn the walls. The new color scheme is contemporary yet incorporates the Art Deco geometric design as a connection to The Gideon Putnam’s history.
- Putnam’s Restaurant: New carpeting is being installed and other enhancements are being made in Putnam’s restaurant.
- Lobby: Areas of the hotel’s lobby are being painted and restored.
Delaware North in 2017 completed a $1.25 million renovation of the hotel’s large ballroom and lobby space outside it. In all, Delaware North has spent more than $10 million since 2008 on improvements to the rooms, corridors, meeting spaces, restaurant, lobby, and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.
To celebrate the May 1 reopening, The Gideon Putnam is offering a spring stay package that includes up to a 25 percent discount on rooms, $20 in free play at Saratoga Casino and admission to the Saratoga Automobile Museum or National Museum of Dance.
After the flood, the Delaware North team at the hotel donated more than $2,000 of produce and other food that was not exposed to the flooding to the Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council for its food pantry and community kitchen.
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Gideon Putnam Hall
Gideon Putnam Guest Room
Gideon Putnam Mural
About The Gideon Putnam
The Gideon Putnam is a National Historic Landmark hotel in Saratoga Spa State Park in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The 120-room property houses Putnam’s, a full-service restaurant and bar, as well as a gift shop and fitness center. It is a short walk from the historic Roosevelt Baths & Spa, which since opening in 1935 has drawn guests to its legendary baths for the believed restorative benefits of the region’s famed natural mineral spring waters. The Gideon Putnam also offers 12,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a business center, and Wi-Fi access throughout the property. Guests enjoy complimentary shuttle services to take in the excitement of horse racing at the nearby thoroughbred and harness race tracks or visit historic downtown Saratoga Springs, only five minutes from the resort. The State Park offers golf, museums, outdoor pools, miles of woodsy path for hiking and biking and world-class entertainment at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. For more information visit www.GideonPutnam.com.
About Delaware North
Delaware North is one of the largest privately-held hospitality and food service companies in the world with more than $3 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1915 and owned by the Jacobs family for more than 100 years, Delaware North has global operations at high-profile places such as sports and entertainment venues, national and state parks, destination resorts and restaurants, airports, and regional casinos. Our 55,000 employee associates are dedicated to creating special experiences one guest at a time in serving more than 500 million guests annually. Delaware North’s parks and resorts division operates lodging, food and retail services, recreational activities, and educational programming at iconic national and state parks such as Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park and Niagara Falls State Park. We also operate cultural attractions such as Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Learn more about Delaware North at www.delawarenorth.com.
