MYRTLE BEACH, SC- Travel Channel’s Hotel Impossible returned to Myrtle Beach for another renovation. The reality show is designed to give failing properties a chance at success. This week’s project is the Lancer Motel on North King’s Highway. The episode is expected to air this Fall.
In January 2014, Crews took over the Carnival Motor Inn on Ocean Boulevard. News 13 checked in with hotel’s manager Maria Brickwedde on Tuesday to see how business is doing over year later.
“It’s a small place and it needed a lot of love,” said Brickwedde.
Her husband and father bought the Carnival Motor Inn, not really knowing the challenges they’d face trying to run it.
“We used to be the tall place in town and now we’re dwarfed by everything around us and it is hard,” she said.
Brickwedde said it was her husband’s idea to fill out an application for Hotel Impossible. She remembers it being a very action packed week and a lot of work. The show didn’t renovate the entire building, but she said crews re-did the lobby, the fifth floor hallway, the elevator and one room.
“They gave you a good road map of some of the little things that you could do that would not cost a lot,” stated Brickwedde.
She was advised to make simple changes like painting furniture and changing the carpet . Most importantly, Brickwedde learned how to improve the guest experience. The show also suggested re-naming the Carnival Motor Inn, the Waves Hotel.
“The help that they’ve provided, the assistance, the advice, their kindness has just been immeasurable,” she said.
According to Brickwedde, the number of bookings increased 500% from last year.
“It really has improved our business gigantically.”
The Waves Hotel is featured on travel sites like Expedia and Booking.com. Brickwedde still has to finish renovating the rest of the rooms, but she’s happy with the overall response from guests.