The owners of the Snoqualmie Hampton Inn & Suites will be allowed to separate from the franchise and become an independent hotel, after the Snoqualmie City Council narrowly approved the petition.

At a Dec. 14 council meeting, members voted 4-3 to allow the hotel to strike out on its own. The council allowed Chun Lai Hospitality, which owns the hotel, to separate from the Hampton brand, as long as they continue to provide similar levels of service and pricing as they currently offer.

In 2017, the city reached a development agreement with Chun Lai Hospitality to build and operate the hotel under Hampton Inn branding for 20 years. It was envisioned as an affordable, mid-range hotel for the city.

The owners have stated that they want to serve better food and beverages, and have more flexibility in hosting events. In a previous interview with the Record, Chloe Hou with Chun Lai Hospitality said they’re planning on keeping the pricing similar, but will improve services.

Currently, Hampton prescribes what food and refreshments can be served in the hotel. Hou said they also hope to install art that emphasizes the area’s history and helps educate visitors.

Guests hoping to stay overnight in Snoqualmie have the option to either stay at the Hampton for around $100 a night, or at the Salish Lodge, which is a more expensive option. North Bend and Fall City both have overnight lodging as well.

The Snoqualmie Hampton faced resistance from some in the community when it was initially approved, and some also spoke out against the franchise separation on Dec. 14.