- The 80-room Hampton Inn by Hilton Columbia Downtown has opened in a converted historic factory in Pennsylvania.
- Shaner Hotels operates the property, while Murphy Hospitality Group owns it under Cimmaron Investments.
- The hotel offers meeting facilities, fitness amenities and EV charging, with a restaurant opening planned for spring 2027.
Shaner Hotels expands its Pennsylvania hotel portfolio
Shaner Hotels manages the new Hampton Inn by Hilton Columbia Downtown under Hilton’s Hampton brand. Murphy Hospitality Group owns the property through Cimmaron Investments and leads the wider revitalisation initiative in Columbia.
The opening marks Shaner Hotels’ fourth hotel launch since June, according to the company’s announcement. The company continues to target secondary and tertiary markets with demand from both business and leisure travellers.
Elias Thompson, Regional Vice President of Operations at Shaner Hotels, commented on the company’s expansion strategy.Thompson said: “With the opening of the Hampton Inn by Hilton Columbia Downtown, Shaner Hotels continues an eventful summer with our fourth hotel opening since June. We continue to seek growth opportunities in strong secondary and tertiary markets with multiple business and leisure demand generators and look forward to additional announcements in the coming weeks.”
Historic Becker Potato Chip Factory becomes an 80-room hotel
The hotel occupies the former Becker Potato Chip Factory, a historic industrial building in downtown Columbia. The property stands at 12 N. Second Street, near the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County. The project transforms the former factory into a hospitality property while retaining its connection to Columbia’s industrial heritage. Murphy Hospitality Group began working on the building in 2018, with plans to support local visitor activity.
Don Murphy, President of Murphy Hospitality Group, described the project’s original objectives. Murphy said: “When we first took on this building in 2018, we imagined what it could mean for Columbia to welcome visitors from near and far. Seeing that vision become a place where people can stay, gather and experience our town is a proud moment for us.”
Hotel amenities include meeting space and EV charging
The pet-friendly hotel offers accommodation and facilities for leisure and business travellers visiting Columbia and Lancaster County. Guests have access to a 24-hour fitness centre featuring Technogym equipment. Additionally, the property provides electric vehicle charging facilities and complimentary daily hot breakfast.
The hotel also includes flexible meeting space for corporate gatherings and other events. Furthermore, the development will introduce a new restaurant, with an opening scheduled for spring 2027. The company has not announced the restaurant’s concept or seating capacity.
Location connects visitors with Lancaster County attractions
The Hampton Inn Columbia Downtown sits along the Susquehanna River, within Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County region. Nearby attractions include the Turkey Hill Experience and the National Watch and Clock Museum. Both attractions lie within walking distance of the property, according to Shaner Hotels. Meanwhile, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s state capital, lies approximately 28 miles from the hotel. The location provides access to Columbia’s downtown area and surrounding leisure attractions.
Historic building conversions support downtown hotel development
The Hampton Inn Columbia Downtown project illustrates the role of adaptive reuse within smaller urban hospitality markets. Converting existing industrial buildings can introduce hotel accommodation while preserving links to a destination’s architectural and economic history. In Columbia, the project also forms part of Murphy Hospitality Group’s wider revitalisation activities.
For hotel operators, secondary markets can offer demand from regional business activity, local attractions and short leisure visits. However, Shaner Hotels has not disclosed development costs, occupancy forecasts or expected financial performance for the property. The announced restaurant could also expand the building’s hospitality offering beyond accommodation and meeting facilities.
Shaner Hotels continues expansion in secondary markets
Shaner Hotels identifies secondary and tertiary markets as part of its ongoing development and operating strategy. The Columbia opening represents the company’s fourth hotel launch since June. Meanwhile, Murphy Hospitality Group continues its involvement in the town’s broader redevelopment programme. The 80-room Hampton Inn by Hilton Columbia Downtown is now operating, with the restaurant development scheduled for spring 2027.
Tags: Elias Thompson, Shaner Hotels Hampton Inn Columbia Downtown