How a new hotel will capture 'classic Okoboji' and reflect a beloved, now-demolished inn

A hotel now under construction in Arnolds Park in northwest Iowa aims to recapture "classic Okoboji" and pay homage to an icon of the recent past.

The Inn Hotel Okoboji is scheduled to open this summer and will reflect the beloved Inn Resort, which was demolished last March.

The 38-room hotel will reflect the Art Deco era of the '20s and '30s, capture the feel of the golden age of lake life and infuse it with high-end touches. The project is described as a "labor of love" for the Steffes family, year-round residents of Okoboji with close ties to Arnolds Park Amusement Park.

"We have always been very enchanted and inspired by vintage hotels with a story to tell," said Mercedes Steffes, who is designing the interior of the Hotel & Lounge, in a news release. "After a recent stay at our favorite 'Old Hollywood' hotel (in Los Angeles), we found ourselves dreaming of recreating a similar atmosphere with modern amenities."

Steffes said they wanted to honor the former Inn Resort, and "we felt that the current Roof Garden project was the perfect driving force behind the idea.”

The hotel's dimly lit lobby will include two-tone marble checkerboard floor and brass fixtures, potted palms and rattan accents. Outside there will be a heated pool with oversized, fringed umbrellas and a bar.

The hotel will also include a Beach Club Lounge, with a full bar and cocktails and menu inspired by vintage Havana, Cuba. A 1,200-square-foot conference room will house future-themed parties hosted by the hotel.

The Steffes’ envision the Roof Garden serving as a year-round hot spot for weddings, business events and concerts.

“The Park has done such a wonderful job of modernizing yet keeping the nostalgic feel of Classic Okoboji,” Steffes said. “We are thrilled to keep that pattern going with The Inn Hotel."

Source:  DesMoinesRegister.com