Community members, investors and the Logan County and Indian Lake Chambers of Commerce commemorated a new chapter in the lake’s history Tuesday, May 6, with a grand opening and ribbon cutting event for the new Cobblestone Hotel in Russells Point
The three-story, 54-room hotel at 211 Lincoln Blvd., at the intersection of U.S. Route 33, offers a wealth of amenities and opportunities for community members and guests to the Indian Lake region alike. It officially opened in December and its staff are preparing for a busy summer season ahead.
“It’s a big investment for a small community,” Mike Major, head of the investors group that helped to spearhead the project. An Urbana resident who owns a condo at Pirate’s Cove at Indian Lake, Major also was involved with the Cobblestone Hotel in Urbana.
“The investors hope this is a catalyst for good things to happen. It’s been so rewarding to see that it’s already being used for different events, meetings and weddings.
“We’re hoping to spur business development here in the community, as this growth is appealing to restaurants and other businesses that would like to locate here. Our hope is that more and more year-round events will develop at the lake now that there is a place to stay.”
Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce President Amber Fagan noted that it has been 35 years since Indian Lake has had a hotel to call its own in the community.
“Wicker Resort closed about 35 years ago, while O’Connor’s Landing and Hotel closed 40 years again in 1985 after experiencing a fire. Beatley’s closed in the 1970s.
“We are hearing such positive reactions to this beautiful new hotel. Now visitors and extended family members have somewhere to stay all year-round. The chamber is looking into hosting ‘stay and play’ events during the wintertime to expand our offerings.”
Logan County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ben Vollrath said the idea of bringing back a hotel to Indian Lake is many years in the making through the dedicated efforts of a number of individuals and a feasibility study.
“This is one of those amazing cooperative projects,” he said. “While it had been an idea years ago, during 2018-2019, we really started sitting down and thinking that this is doable.
“We’ve been blown away by the Indian Lake community. So many people who have stepped up and have wanted to be a part of this.
“Thank you to all of you who said, ‘Yes.’”
Refreshments were served to guests in the lounge area. Then visitors also enjoyed tours of the hotel to check out the pool, fitness room and the variety of rooms that are available — including long-term stay units with a kitchen, living room and separate bedroom, ADA accessible rooms, suites and single and double bed units.
There is ample parking for cars at the front of the hotel and for boat trailers and trucks in the back parking lot.
Many local businesses are welcoming the opportunity to use the conference room and bar for hosting meetings and training sessions. Wedding guests also have been reserving accommodations and using the conference room for receptions.
Hotel staff noted that the Fourth of July weekend is nearly booked already, along with many bookings throughout the summertime. Vollrath urged those in attendance and in the community that “we want to fill it up, not just in the summer season, but all year long.
“This is one of those very nice locations where you have a great view of Indian Lake as well,” the Logan County Chamber president said.
The village also has stepped up to create a walking path that will connect the hotel to businesses in the area, Major noted.
Sue Webster is the general manager of the hotel. Cobblestone Hotel has 161 locations around the country that are currently open or under construction, including five locations around Ohio.
Construction of the Cobblestone Hotel in Bellefontaine also is nearing completion, with Vollrath estimating a potential ribbon cutting celebration for that location sometime this summer.
To make reservations for the Cobblestone Hotel at Russells Point, call (937) 810-0402 or go to https://staycobblestone.com/oh/indian-lake/.
