Updating the Hume

The iconic Hume Hotel in Nelson is undergoing renovations but will retain its heritage feel

1 of 4Ryan Martin, general manager of the Hume Hotel, stands in a renovated hallway at the hotel. — Colin Payne photo

2 of 4For a heritage touch, this guest room features a print of a heritage photo from the Nelson museum. — Colin Payne photo

3 of 4The renovations blend modern and heritage aspects. — Colin Payne photo

4 of 4The updated accommodations are warm and charming. — Colin Payne photo

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The Hume Hotel, often considered the grand old dame of Nelson, B.C., continues to be a comforting presence in the city, and although that is not about to change, the hotel is undergoing a welcome renovation. The Martin Hotel Group owns both the Hume and the Best Western Baker Street Inn, which was spruced up in 2011. It is now time for the Hume to be refreshed, starting with the fourth floor. Upgrades are planned over three years, extending throughout the entire hotel and finishing with refurbishments to the whole lobby area.

The Hume's general manager, Ryan Martin, is pleased with the prospect. His parents purchased the hotel in 1980 and Martin said they have poured their blood, sweat and tears into fixing it up over the years.

“It was in a state of disrepair when they bought it,” said Martin. “We renamed it the Heritage Inn, and in 2005 we renovated the exterior.”

He said at the same time they decided to revert back to the original name; the Hume Hotel was originally named after J. Fred and Lydia Hume, its first owners and a Nelson pioneer family.

A long-standing connection 

“I grew up in the hotel; I had my first job here,” said Martin. “When I was 16 I served tables, and I started tending the bar at 19."

Martin was offered the general manager position in 1999, after obtaining his bachelor of commerce.

“I have been at it for 12 years now, and we have a family atmosphere here,” said Martin. “Many of our staff have been here long term, such as our catering manager, Greg Schlosser, who has been here for 32 years.”

Keeping in character

Martin said his family is confident that Nelson will be a favourable destination for many years to come, so they felt it was time to make some bigger changes at the Hume.

Martin and his parents decided to start with the east wing of the fourth floor, and by the end of the first phase of the renovation, they will have overhauled 21 rooms. They hired local designer David Dobie to help out, and have also used the renovation of their other hotel as a guide to what their guests value.

“We have to walk the fine line between modern technology and maintaining the heritage of the hotel,” said Martin.

He said guests will appreciate the new air conditioning, flat-screen televisions, brand new bathrooms, drapes, vaulted ceilings and granite countertops. Although all this may sound very modern, the rooms are still decorated in the heritage manner—with prints of old photos from the Nelson museum, for example.

Close to home for the Hume

Martin said for the renovations they have tried to stay local as much as possible.

“We try to use all local businesses and have had such great local support,” said Martin.

Martin said the Hume Hotel is iconic in Nelson.

“It has been through a lot of good and bad times,” he said. “My parents had this vision to save it, because it has such a rich history that no amount of money can ever replicate. We cherish the history, and love that our new neighbour is the Touchstone Museum and Art Gallery."