The Pierce County Business Examiner reported in the September 1st edition,

“South Sound hotel plans move forward as tourism grows”

“Growing tourism interest in Thurston County has encouraged Best Western to submit a proposal for a new hotel in Lacey. If built, the project would be the international hoteliers second in Lacey, and would comprise 85 rooms and 51,800 square feet of space.

City documents indicate Olympia developers Sang Jae and Keum Woo purchased the site at 8316 Quinalt Drive N.E. in Hawks Prarie for $1.67 million.

The proposed hotel addition in Lacey would add to an already healthy inventory, said Mike Dexter, executive director of the Olympia, Lacey, & Tumwater Visitor & Convention Bureau.

Occupancy rates in the three capitol-area cities reported well in 2007, with Tumwater showing what Dexter described as astronomical rates. With some hotel occupancy rates reaching 90 percent and growing tourism opportunities, additional beds will be appreciated. In Lacey, a new regional athletic center, currently under construction, will likely create greater need for hotel rooms.

Combined with new retail arrivals such as sportsmans mega-store Cabelas, Lacey and surrounding cities will need more rooms for customers coming to the area to shop and take advantage of nearby outdoor recreation opportunities.

‘I think this comes at a good time,’ said Dexter.

He also mentioned that other hoteliers have been kicking dirt in Lacey and surrounding cities, and that Best Western might not be the only one with sights set on the area. A 107-room Marriott inn, for example, has reportedly been proposed to be built in Hawks Prarie by California-based developers Hall Equities Group.”

And this from Hall Equities Group:
“Hall Equities Group is pleased to announce that it has received final approval from the City of Lacey for its Lacey Town Center project.

Located in Lacey WA adjacent the State Capital city of Olympia WA. Lacey Town Center is located on a 10 acre site at the northwest intersection of Main street and Marvin road, one block off the Marvin road / Interstate 5 intersection. Lacey Town Center will consist of a new 107 room Marriott Fairfield Inn and Suites which will be surrounded by some 63,000 square feet of retail shops, a Bank pad, and several sit down restaurants. Lacey Town Center is adjacent to the new 220 acre Lacey Gateway project, which is anchored by a new 165,000 sq ft Cabelas store, which opened in November 2007. Principals of Hall Equities Group acquired the three parcel site in a series of transactions over the last few years.”

Yelm’s Prairie Hotel is currently underway building a 44-room new addition to their current 23 rooms, as well.