New Short Pump Hotel Owner Optimistic Despite Economy

While some hotel operators have lost footing in the past 12 months, Chester-based Shamin Hotels has gained ground by adding 10 hotels to its portfolio. The company, founded more than 25 years ago by brothers-in-law P.C. Amin and B.N. Shah, is putting the finishing touches on its crown jewel, a 254-room Hilton west of Short […]

October 13, 2009; 8:12 PM • by Al Harris

While some hotel operators have lost footing in the past 12 months, Chester-based Shamin Hotels has gained ground by adding 10 hotels to its portfolio. The company, founded more than 25 years ago by brothers-in-law P.C. Amin and B.N. Shah, is putting the finishing touches on its crown jewel, a 254-room Hilton west of Short Pump Town Center.

It will be their biggest and most upscale property.

A hiring fair for all positions at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa runs today and through tomorrow at the Comfort Suites at Innsbrook.

Chief executive Neil Amin, son of one of the co-founders, said the hotel plans to hire more than 100 people.

“This hotel is very personal us. We want to make sure everything is great,” Amin said.

That means he’ll be taking time out from overseeing the company’s 37 hotels to meet with applicants for key positions, along with general manager Devin Heath.

Shamin Hotels’ rapid growth comes at a time when many other operators are struggling. The Richmond metro area saw the number of rooms sold fall almost 11 percent during the first six months of the year compared with the same period in 2008, according to the Virginia Tourism Corporation.

In the Richmond North/Glen Allen sub-region, which includes Short Pump, the number of rooms sold has fallen nearly 14 percent. Part of the reason for falling demand is an increase in the supply of rooms, up 8.6 percent in the Richmond North market, which also includes Powhatan and Goochland.

Business travel in the Innsbrook area has also fallen with companies like Circuit City and LandAmerica going out of business.

But Amin isn’t discouraged by the numbers.

“The last 12 months have been challenging, but the good news is Richmond has a lot going for it,” said Amin, noting the long-term stability of the region.

“We are in it for the long haul,” he said.

Earlier this month the company opened a Residence Inn by Marriott Richmond Chester at 800 Bermuda Road in Chester and in April opened a Hampton Inn at the airport.

Amin said the new Hilton, which is opening in December, is taking reservations and bookings for events.

“There was a need for this type of facility,” Amin said. “There are a lot of hotels in the area but not a lot of full-service hotels.”

The hotel will be the first in the area to feature a full-service spa and will also bring a Shula’s America’s Steak House to the area.

“Downtown has Morton’s, Chesterfield has Ruth Chris, now Short Pump will have an upscale steak restaurant,” he said.

The hotel has 21,500 square feet of meeting space, the highlight of which is the 10,500-square-foot ballroom that can seat 850 people.

October 13, 2009 8:12 PM 0