Hotel California to open April 17

Staff report

AUSTINTOWN

Hotel California will open April 17.

Owner Sebastian Rucci said the hotel known for its faux palm trees will open with several packages to highlight a cruiselike atmosphere.

“We will have a lot of different things,” such as bingo and dancing classes, Rucci explained.

The opening comes after months of hitches, from plumbing issues that were resolved earlier this year to obtaining an occupancy permit, done within the past few weeks.

On the matter of a trademark case involving a California-based operator, Richard A. Butler III and Ocean Avenue Properties LLC, Rucci said Butler called him and offered him a license this week to operate. Rucci said that paperwork is in the process of being completed.

Rucci has said he has invested millions into renovating the hotel on state Route 46 on the other side of Interstate 80 from Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course. Rucci hopes to attract some racino patrons as the live horse- racing season ends later this month and offer packages for patrons to “get away” while still being in town.

“If that works out really well, I think we can draw from a broader area, like Cleveland and Pittsburgh,” he said.

The hotel sits on the same site as Rucci’s previous business venture, the Go Go Girls Cabaret.