(York County’s Division of Financial &amp Tourism Improvement)

YORKTOWN- At York County’s annual Distinguished Organization Affair, Yorktown Beach Hotel earned the 2023 Distinguished Organization Award, presented by the Financial Improvement Authority (EDA) and the Division of Financial and Tourism Improvement (ETD).

This award is presented to developing enterprises that make substantial investments in York County.

“I’m flattered and pretty grateful for this honor, and for all of the help York County has
offered to us more than the previous handful of years,” stated Matt Bowry, managing companion of M.A. Bowry &amp Organization and owner of the home, “It actually is a testament to all of the challenging function of my group members, all coming collectively to make this project a accomplishment.”

Yorktown Beach Hotel, formerly the Duke of York, is the only waterfront hotel in the Higher Williamsburg region.

In 2021, Bowry, along with his investors, became the official owner of the home. They had huge renovation concepts, planned in phases more than the subsequent handful of years, but the quite 1st change was to the name.

“I knew this may possibly be controversial with some of our legacy guests who had been coming right here for generations,” Bowry stated, “But I felt strongly that we necessary possible guests to know ideal off that we are a waterfront hotel in truth, we’re the only a single in the Historic Triangle.”

The subsequent move also turned heads for longtime guests and locals alike. Bowry decided to demolish the restaurant space and build a modern day lobby in its spot.

“The restaurant facility was in disrepair and necessary tremendous function,” Bowry stated. “Plus, our parking is restricted, and the restaurant was competing with the hotel for offered spots.”

Yorktown Beach Hotel now boasts a totally renovated 1st floor of the principal and biggest constructing on the home, new windows along the front façade, a fresh coat of paint, and refurbished pool exactly where the old plastic balcony furnishings was swapped out for higher-finish matching chairs—offering the optimal beach-gazing expertise.

(York County’s Division of Financial &amp Tourism Improvement)

“My fiancée, Ferren Wolfe, is an interior designer, and she’s been remarkably critical to the renovation,” Bowry stated. “Her vision and talent are actually producing it what it is. I cannot wait to see her concepts for overhauling the guest rooms come to fruition.”

A new breakfast region and market place will open quickly.

In addition to upgrading the rooms, Bowry stated he has higher hopes of becoming in a position to bring back the rooftop sundeck that was element of the original hotel in the ’70s.

Bowry credits the revived hotel’s accomplishment to his group, the neighborhood and the County employees.
“I am only a little element of the accomplishment we’ve skilled,” Bowry stated. “Our group, specifically longtime employees members Leelee King and Gill McCauley, have been so tremendously instrumental to our efforts to bring this hotel back to life. County employees has also been quite useful and supportive from the starting.”

(Yorktown Beach Hotel)

Monetary help offered by the EDA permitted Bowry to upgrade the windows and replace the balcony chairs. In addition, Bowry stated the numerous events held at the waterfront support to bolster his company and other people by bringing substantially-necessary exposure to the region.

“The County is focused on continual enhancements to the Historic Region, from Riverwalk Landing to the beach picnic region and up the hill on Principal Street,” stated Kristi Olsen-Hayes, director of the County’s Financial &amp Tourism Improvement Division. “Our EDA is also focused on retaining the lengthy-standing enterprises in our legacy industries. So, assisting Mr. Bowry revive the aging hotel, and deciding upon Yorktown Beach Hotel as this year’s award winner, produced fantastic sense. We’re excited to see this tourism asset refreshed and thriving once again.”