HAMPTON -- Several members of the Hampton Chamber of Commerce attended the ribbon cutting of The Inn of Hampton as it officially became Best Western The Inn at Hampton last Thursday.

The newly renamed hotel will have completed nearly $1 million in renovations in order to become part of the world's largest hotel chain. Bathrooms, guestroom furniture, wallpaper and carpet are just part of this major renovation. A new car port for the office, roofline and siding on the hotel, as well as the lobby with granite front desk and warm fireplace round out the extensive list of changes.

General Manager Larry Hahn said he was pleased by how quickly The Inn of Hampton was accepted into the Best Western family. He said many hotels have to go through as many as six inspections by the hotel giant before being accepted. Best Western The Inn at Hampton was accepted after only its second inspection.

"We really did very well by getting approved in the second shot," said Hahn. The renovations were done to become eligible for Best Western status. Hahn said the hotel will certainly benefit from the large hotel chain's reservation system, adding that people from across the globe come to stay at the inn.

"It's not like independent ownership," he said. "Best Western is the world's largest hotel chain. This is going to be a great change for us." Best Western The Inn at Hampton is owned and operated by New England-based Maine Course Hospitality Group. The Hampton hotel, located at 815 Lafayette Road, is the third Best Western owned by the company. The company also owns a variety of hotels and restaurants in the New England area. For more information, call (603) 926-6771