PALM GARDEN HOTEL PURCHASED BY LOCAL BUSINESSMAN AND PHILANTHROPIST HARRY SELVIN

It might simply be a coincidence that commercial real estate businessman, Harry Selvin closed escrow on his latest property on April fool’s day.  With so many vacancies in the market, and hotels closing every day, it seems a bit of folly that Mr. Selvin has purchased the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.  But then again, maybe not. Located just off the 101 freeway at the Ventu Park exit, the venue will be renamed The Palm Hotel and Spa and will undergo a renovation that will exceed $1.5 million. 

Enhancements will be reflected throughout the public spaces, including the front entrance and lobby, pool area and signature courtyard as well as the grand ballroom, flexible meeting spaces and each of the guest rooms and suites.

The Hotel and Spa’s restaurant will be under the management of Brendan’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, dedicated to delicious food and excellent service and featuring a full wine selection and flexible menu for any occasion.  From seafood and steaks, to American Breakfast, to special and unique event catering, Brendan’s staff looks forward to fulfilling every need of the Hotel’s guests.

The Palm Hotel and Spa is perfect for weddings, fundraisers and any event large or small, housing a spacious ballroom with lovely views of the signature courtyard.  A Gazebo surrounded by roses and a rolling lawn that accommodates up to 175 guests provides a romantic and picturesque setting for exchanging vows, followed by a fully-catered reception in the grand ballroom.

"The most exciting edition to the venue is the new spa,” says owner Harry Selvin.  “Massage, steam room and other amenities will be provided within the spa, and the feeling of being pampered will spill over into our newly-renovated rooms and even into the lobby areas.” 

As a businessman, Mr. Selvin has specific plans for the renovation of the hotel’s meeting and event space, enhancing them with an engaging new look and making the Hotel and Spa ideal for board meetings, corporate events and social occasions. A business center off the lobby will provide work space with the most recent technical advances and a welcoming atmosphere. Each design inspiration for the renovation honors the hotel’s history and signature courtyard, enhanced with updated, modern touches and technology. Inspired by both the palm trees and the historic oaks of the area, Mr. Selvin and his wife Maureen will custom design many of the public areas with original art, sculpture, and sophisticated architectural elements.  New windows, window treatments, lighting, furnishings and modernized media systems are part of the enhancements. The resulting look will be a beautiful, updated environment which melds perfectly with the traditional setting.

Mr. Selvin calls himself a semi-retired businessman, although this April 1 escrow closing does not sound like he is retired.  He owns Selvin Properties of Westlake Village, a property management firm. Also involved in community programs, Mr. Selvin serves on the City of Thousand Oaks Cultural Affairs Commission, the board of the Alliance for the Arts and the advisory board of Cabrillo Music Theatre.  Mr. Selvin belongs to the Thousand Oaks Rotary Club and leads a 17-piece swing band that performed on New Year’s Eve at the Civic Arts Plaza with headliner, Jo Anne Worley. 

“We are planning to have the band play on Monday nights in the ballroom just for fun,” adds Mr. Selvin.  “This new site is so large and beautiful that it is a shame more people don’t know about it.  Some people might think it’s folly, but I am certain the Palm Spa and Hotel will become an important gathering place for the people of the Conejo Valley and the region.”

Visit www.palmgardenhotel.com for more information.