(Phil Glynn is vice president for economic development for Travois)
Travois’ travels take us to beautiful tribal casino and hotel properties across America. Every once in a while, we are able to find off-reservation properties convenient to our meetings that also offer the chance to support tribal businesses.
The US Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego presents a unique opportunity to do so. The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation purchased and renovated the grand old hotel in 2003, and the turnaround is amazing.
The hotel website describes how the tribe came to be involved in this proudest chapter in the US Grant’s history.
I especially liked the section explaining the importance of the flower symbol seen in artwork throughout the hotel. According to the website, the evening primrose is “the tribal flower of the Sycuan and a symbol of life to the entire Kumeyaay Nation.” The photo I took shows a sculpture in the hotel’s lobby.
