Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley is seeing more visitors thanks to new hotel developments. These hotels are also creating more local jobs and boosting income for both the city and its residents. More hotel space means more opportunities for businesses and tourism. It's a win for the entire community.

The newest addition is the Cobblestone Hotel, which officially opened on Tuesday, June 10. Located on Koniar Way, the hotel features 73 rooms. The dedication event included representatives from the City of Foley, the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, residents and business leaders.

Foley City Administrator Mike Thompson said the Cobblestone Hotel is close to several major attractions that are helping draw visitors to the area.

“This particular project is very important to the city,” Thompson said. “We have a large sports tourism facility just to the north of here, and having another hotel that literally is walking distance to our event center, it really makes a difference in us retaining some of the lodging that we want to get from our Sports Tourism facilities.”

The hotel is part of an effort by the city and community to bring more visitors to Foley.

“I'm glad that Cobblestone is our next corporate citizen, very thankful for that,” Thompson said. “But the city has not stood still either. Just north of here, we built pickleball courts and sand volleyball courts. Those are two more sporting venues that we'll certainly use for our own recreation, but also for sports tournaments, and we'll be right here near Cobblestone. So we look forward to a very long and fruitful relationship with Cobblestone.”

Frank Shepard, director of membership at the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, said the hotel helps fill a growing need for more lodging space in a developing community.

“This is more than just a beautiful hotel – and it is a gorgeous hotel,” Shepard said. “All the teams have done a great job with this, but this is also an answer to a growing need in our community.”

Jeremy Griesbach, president of development for Cobblestone Hotels, said the chain has 162 facilities open or under construction in 27 states. The Foley hotel is Cobblestone’s second in Alabama. Construction recently began on a third Alabama Cobblestone hotel in Bay Minette.

Griesbach said the idea for a Foley Cobblestone began in 2019. He said city officials have worked with the company to make the project a reality.

“A lot of important people helped get this thing across the finish line,” Griesbach said. “Thanks to the mayor, Mike Thompson, everybody at the city of Foley, all the inspection teams, the planning commission, people over at Riviera Utilities. Everyone has been so helpful and made this a great project.”