Jose Quinones, who co-owns the EconoLodge in Umatilla, in November 2018 stands in a room renovated after a fire damaged the motel (then called Tillicum Inn) in 2017. Choice Hotels International Inc., owner of Econo Lodge, in spring of 2022 honored the hotel with an award for its positive customer reviews.

UMATILLA — The Econo Lodge in Umatilla recently won an award, according to Lynne Kitrel, hotel manager.

“We’ve received a Platinum Award from Choice,” she said.

Choice Hotels International Inc. owns Econo Lodge and several other hotel brands. According to Kitrel, only 3% of Econo Lodge hotels in the U.S. received this distinction.

This is a big deal, she said, for the former Tillicum Inn, 1481 Sixth St., Umatilla. Its history under its former name includes a fire in 2017. It was renovated, rebranded and reopened in 2018, but has faced recent challenges, Kitrel said, coming back from the pandemic.

She said the hotel received its award based on customer reviews. On the Choice website, customers have given the hotel a rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars, with 83% of customers recommending it.

Recommendations praise the service, comfort, food and more. Where there are complaints, including one issue with cold water in the shower, management has responded online with apologies.

Kitrel said she and her staff are working hard to create a positive experience for their customers, though she added that the entire city of Umatilla deserves credit.

“It was very much a team effort,” she said. “If you look at those reviews, it’s not just us that made this. It’s the Bridge Bistro (& Brews), Java Junkies, Harvest Foods and the people of this community in Umatilla.”

She added she could have “the cleanest hotel in the world,” and it would not have mattered if her neighbors were not stellar. Thanks to them, she said, visitors to her hotel are pleased with their experience.

“It’s really nice to see Umatilla sprouting up so nicely,” she said.

She said the hotel will soon receive a plaque, which will be placed in the hotel.

“People will be welcome to come and see it,” she said.