Sonal Sisodiya began working with her husband Ram and father-in-law a few years after they founded the Palouse Inn located in Moscow.
“Working at the Palouse Inn was about giving back to the community that allowed us to start our business,” Sisodiya said. “Working here inspired us to take the opportunity given to us in 2011 and buy the Idaho Inn.”
Sisodiya said the Idaho Inn took a lot of work in the beginning, but they put their heart and minds into the project.
They worked around customers” hours so as not to disturb anyone.
Keaton Dickson, a front desk clerk at the Idaho Inn, believes part of the hotel”s success comes from being locally owned.
“The reason why the Idaho Inn is successful is because we are completely local and are focused on our customers” needs that tend to be forgotten by larger chain hotels,” Dickson said.
Sisodiya credits the success of the Idaho Inn to the supportive community in Moscow and within the University of Idaho.
Sisodiya said the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and other university events bring in excited customers and she loves making their stay in Moscow the best it can be.
She said they strive to create a fun loving and laid back atmosphere at the Idaho Inn.
“Sonal and Ram are both laid back people who I like working under,” Dickson said.
The owners are currently renovating the lobby to make it more inviting to guests.
“We work hard to keep the property looking nice for our guests,” Sisodiya said.
“It is something that myself and my staff love to do. Seeing how clean and beautiful it is makes us all happy.”
Dickson said the busiest times usually happen whenever there are football games or during the summer. He said it can be a bit crazy, but he loves seeing how many people want to stay at the Idaho Inn.
Sisodiya and her husband are both alumni of the University of Idaho.
“We are really thankful to have the University of Idaho near us and to have developed a relationship with them,” Sisodiya said. “We love giving back to the University in any way we can.”
Sisodiya said she looks forward to many more years of managing the Idaho Inn, and can”t wait to continue improvements.
Griffen Winget can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @GriffenW