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V O L . X X I N O. X X I V O C T O B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 28 L ocation, location, location is the mantra of real estate development. And as Rockland enjoys a surge of arts, business and infrastructure devel- opment, the midcoast town is becoming an increas- ingly hot location for hotels. Recently, Maine Course Hospitality Group announced plans to buy the Navigator Motor Inn, a 70-room hotel across from the Maine State Ferry Terminal. "You're walking distance from downtown, which is becoming a cool thing," says Sean Riley, president and CEO of Freeport-based Maine Course Hospitality Group. e infl ux of new businesses and arts into Maine's downtown, plus the close proximity to Camden, "provides a real anchor for that strip." Brand name amenities with a twist Maine Course Hospitality Group owns 15 other properties throughout New England, including fi ve Marriott-branded properties, three Fairfi eld Inns, three Hampton Inns, one Homewood Suites and two independent brands. Once the transaction is complete later this year, Riley says his company plans to renovate the hotel and add conveniences like free Wi-Fi and key cards that are industry standards in branded hotels — while still preserving the nuances and local charm of the property. " " " Sometimes You Need to Break the Mold IT Solutions Designed for Your Business Managed Services Cloud/Virtualization Data Management Networking Security IT Consulting n n n n n n www.WGTECH.com 207.856.5300 " Need to Break the Mold New life for hotel The Navigator Motor Inn has new owners and plans B y J e n n i f e r V a n A l l e n F O C U S P H O T O / DAV E C L O U G H Jamey Kitchen, left, corporate director of operations at Maine Course Hospitality Group, with President and CEO Sean Riley, outside the Navigator Motor Inn in Rockland. The Navigator was recently acquired by Freeport-based Maine Course Hospitality Group.

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