Gideon Putnam celebrates re-opening
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » The Gideon Putnam held a ceremony with elected officials and hotel officials Thursday night to celebrate the reopening of the historic hotel.
The hotel, which officially re-opened last month, underwent renovations, including new utility systems and renovated guest rooms, bathrooms, corridors, restaurant and lobby following a January basement flooding due to a water main break.
Mayor Meg Kelly told the group how she grew up in Saratoga Springs and the park has been part of her life, beginning with her first job at the bathhouse and continuing where she taught golf for 20 years.
She called Gideon Putnam a treasure. Joining Kelly were State Sen. James Tedisco and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner.
“This hotel has such a storied history and truly is a remarkable piece of architecture in the state park,” Woerner said.
Tedisco wished the hotel for two things: many more years of great success and no more broken pipes, which drew laughter and a round of applause.
Delaware North, a company based in Buffalo, oversees operation of the hotel. The co-CEO, Jerry Jacobs Jr. discussed the renovations that took place over the winter.
“The end result is an enhanced visitor experience benefiting this historic gem in Saratoga Springs,” Jacobs said. “It was a long and eventful winter, and one that seemingly would never end, and we are proud to be standing here today to celebrate the re-opening.”
The hotel experienced damage to equipment and other essential items that were stored in the basement.
The major water main break happened the morning of Jan. 15, leaving the hotel without gas service and working boilers, electric service, water service and telephone service.
The Gideon Putnam used that time to renovate rooms as well as fix the basement.
“Often times it’s how you react to the completely unexpected, and everybody together reacted in unison to the completely unexpected and made something beautiful out of something tragic,” said Delaware North Parks and Resorts President Scott Socha.
Renovations worked on 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, wall coverings and paint and new light fixtures. 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.