Suites on Main - A Fusion of Tradition and Modern Comfort
The Accidental Business Owners
The Bedards didn’t set out to create a successful lodging business, but it’s no surprise that they did. Lisa and Mike Bedard moved to the Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth, WA, in 2014 to raise their two children and become part of the tight-knit mountain community. They built a new home including a garage apartment, while Mike worked as a fire captain in Everett and Lisa as a physical therapist.
Their first foray into hosting came when they realized their garage apartment sat empty between visits from family and friends. Renting it out on a short-term basis turned out to be both successful and enjoyable. Inspired by this experience, the couple decided to sell one of their rental properties on the west side of the state and reinvest in Leavenworth. They purchased an older rental home in the commercial district that had been sitting on the market for months. Though in disrepair and already occupied by tenants, the Bedards saw potential. While they initially planned to tear it down and rebuild, they opted to fix it up for the current renters as they explored their next steps.
Exploring What Could Be
The Bedards approached Syndicate Smith for a feasibility study to explore a vision for the property. Inspired by their positive experiences hosting guests in their backyard ADU, they initially envisioned a charming complex of individual units linked by cobblestone paths.
Principal Architect Steven Booher described the site as challenging, noting its steep slope, an old house near the property line on one side, and a large condo complex on the other. "There were some weird access issues from the alley and the main road," Booher explained. "It was a fun puzzle to figure out. If it had been a straightforward site, someone would have snatched it up and built a business long ago. There was a reason it sat on the market for a while." Booher emphasized that their experience building custom homes on difficult lots allowed them to collaborate with Mike and Lisa to develop a creative solution for the property. Some early designs included ideas like underground parking and tiered levels. However, these concepts were eventually set aside due to site limitations, ADA requirements, and budget constraints. This led to a more streamlined plan for a 7-unit structure.
Facing this new reality, Mike and Lisa realized that managing a lodging business would require significant adjustments in their lives. Lisa made the decision to leave her career to fully commit to the business.
It Almost Didn’t Happen
The project nearly didn’t happen. "We talked to ten different banks, and they all said no," Mike recalls. After putting everything they had into purchasing the lot, paying for engineering, design, and permits, every bank they approached turned them down.
Then, one bank said yes. Skeptical, they wondered why this bank would approve what so many others had rejected. Taking a chance, they met with the bank, candidly explaining the other rejections and asking why they were willing to take the risk. As it turned out, the bank believed in the project, appreciating the business plan, the design, and the unique nature of the property. They saw it as a niche opportunity rather than a risk.
Another challenge was securing insurance. Standard policies cover properties with either four or fewer units or eight and more, leaving their seven-unit lodging in an awkward middle ground. Fortunately, they were able to secure coverage through Lloyd’s of London, clearing one more hurdle in their journey to success.
Even with these paths cleared, the project still came with significant risk and uncertainty. They wondered if their vision would resonate with guests and whether the units would be booked. To mitigate these risks, they decided to design each unit to be metered separately. This approach not only supported their current operational needs but also provided flexibility for the future, allowing them the option to sell the units individually as condominiums if needed.
Designing the Guest Experience
Mike and Lisa’s travel experiences played a significant role in shaping the design of their Bavarian lodge. Having spent time in mountain towns like Whistler, they were inspired by accommodations that offered a seamless, self-service experience. “We’ve stayed in places where you have a touchpad entry, no front desk, and it’s very user-friendly. It’s prearranged, and you have the freedom to enjoy the space without needing to interact with staff,” Mike shared. This easy, guest-friendly model became the foundation for their design approach.
Cooking
Lisa added, “As a young family, we always appreciated having a kitchenette when we traveled. We didn’t want to eat out for every meal, so being able to cook simple meals and store food in a full-size refrigerator was a must. It’s more budget-conscious, too.”
Amenities
These personal travel experiences translated directly into some key design features of their lodge, including keyless entry, full-sized refrigerators, and balconies for each unit. Secure storage for bicycles and skis was another essential addition. “We treasure the outdoor experience in Leavenworth. Being able to step out of your unit in the morning and breathe in the fresh air is important. The bike and ski storage reflects that same mindset. We want our guests to enjoy the outdoors and have a safe place to store their gear.”
Sleeping
Their family-centric approach also extended to how they designed spaces for traveling with kids. “We hated the one-bedroom hotel experience where you’d put the kids to bed, then try to enjoy some adult time in the same space. It wasn’t practical. So we built bunk beds into the one-bedroom units, giving families flexibility while maintaining privacy,” Mike explained.
Family Friendly
They also considered the dynamics of traveling with other families. “One of the worst things is when you’re traveling with another couple, and there's an awkward moment over who gets the master bedroom. We didn’t want that, so in our three-bedroom unit, we made sure every room was equal—no one gets the best room,” Lisa said. The bunk room in the center of these units gives kids a fun space to hang out, which is always a hit with families.
Old World Bavarian Alpine Architecture and Code Compliance
For the exterior, Lisa and Mike wanted their lodge to honor Leavenworth’s Bavarian aesthetic but also stand the test of time. “Todd (Smith) and Steven’s vision at Syndicate Smith was crucial. They helped us balance the traditional Bavarian look with modern elements. We didn’t want a quick design that we’d outgrow or need to replace; we wanted something timeless,” Lisa reflected.
Mike emphasized the importance of quality and longevity in their design choices. “We weren’t planning to flip this property. We knew we’d be the ones managing it long-term, so it had to be built for that. Syndicate Smith understood our budget limitations and helped us maximize what we could do within those constraints.”
The project wasn’t just about aesthetics. Syndicate Smith helped the couple navigate regulatory requirements, including ADA accessibility, without sacrificing their design goals. “We didn’t want to add an elevator, so they designed the levels in a way that met compliance. It was a clever solution,” Lisa noted.
Access and ADA compliance were key considerations in the design process, and several conversations with the city played a pivotal role in shaping the final plan. Booher explained how they secured permission from the city for the main user access to be from the alley. “Visually, most people experience the building from the alley. They park there and approach from the top, where the main front door is located," Booher said. "However, legally, the front door is actually on the lower level, where the fire department lockbox, the ADA unit, and the official address are."
This dual-access approach required careful planning to ensure compliance with ADA regulations. "We had to ensure that no amenities on the upper floors or in the back parking area were unavailable to the ADA unit. Otherwise, we would have been required to install an elevator," Booher noted. By thoughtfully distributing amenities, the team was able to meet ADA requirements without complicating the design or adding unnecessary features like an elevator.
Mike also pointed out how the design has enhanced the community. “We didn’t just want to build a lodge; we wanted to add to the experience of Leavenworth. Syndicate Smith nailed it. The building fits right into the town’s fabric and elevates the entire area.”
Lisa shared that many guests often comment on how the building feels like it’s been part of Leavenworth for years, saying, “It looks like it was always here, just updated to modern standards. That’s exactly what we wanted—classic Bavarian charm with all the comforts of today. It's as if we did an interior remodel, but the exterior is a piece of history.”
A Statement Entrance
Mike, who has experience as a carpenter, took special pride in the entry door’s design, which serves as a bridge between the traditional exterior and the modern interior. "We wanted the front door to make a statement—something that feels historic but also signals the comfort and modernity inside. I used weathered wood on the outside and cleaner sections on the inside to make that transition visually smooth. The door handles are made from fabricated railroad spikes, and the large door pull was repurposed from an old dairy farm, a barn find from a piece of land where the local school now stands. These elements may not be immediately obvious, but they lend the door a sense of deliberate craftsmanship. It's not something off the shelf—every detail was chosen with intent to reflect both the history of the town and the character of the building."
The thoughtful integration of historical elements, modern functionality, and a guest-centric design set the stage for the project.
Selecting the Right Builder
Selecting the right contractor was a critical decision during the bidding and negotiation phase. Given Mike’s background as a builder, he contemplated serving as his own general contractor to cut costs. However, with guidance from the Syndicate Smith team, they decided to meet with several builders before choosing Rimmer & Roeter Construction. Their extensive experience in both residential and commercial projects, combined with their solid reputation in Leavenworth, made them the perfect fit for the project’s scale and complexity.
“What really stood out was the connection we felt from the start with Josh Roeter and his team,” Mike shared. “With my background in construction management and carpentry, I had some pretty specific questions that might have intimidated other contractors, but Rimmer & Roeter handled them with complete openness and professionalism. They were honest, knowledgeable, and never flinched at our inquiries.”
A major factor in their decision was the team's ability to adhere to the schedule. “They completed the entire project within a year, which was crucial because we needed to start generating income as soon as possible,” Mike explained. Even when challenges arose, the team remained composed and professional, working through issues without frustration.
One aspect that Mike and Lisa appreciated was how the team treated both of them as equals. “They made sure that Lisa had an equal voice in every decision,” Mike emphasized. “It’s not something you always see on construction projects, but their respect and attentiveness made the entire process much smoother.”
Balancing a Busy Family Life Through Construction
Managing the project alongside family life and work was a significant challenge for Mike and Lisa. While Lisa was still working at the local school, they juggled bank draws, building the custom door, selecting finishes, and sourcing furniture, all while handling their day-to-day responsibilities. Although they were accustomed to hands-on projects, this one was on a much larger scale, making it more overwhelming.
The proximity of the project to their home helped make things more manageable. Their kids were gaining independence, allowing them to stay home or walk to rehearsals for The Sound of Music while Lisa and Mike worked on the building. They often found themselves using the few free hours they had to knock out tasks like moving furniture and handling logistics.
A memorable part of the process involved multiple trips to Costco, where they hauled mattresses and televisions on flatbed carts, drawing curious looks from other shoppers. Their home entryway was filled with boxes for months as they gathered everything needed to furnish the units. As soon as a room was completed, they would immediately move items in, working through each stage as efficiently as possible.
In the end, it was a balancing act of family, work, and the project, with Mike and Lisa figuring it out as they went along, much like any young parents would.
Open for Business and the Response from Guests
The Suites on Main opened its doors in June 2019, just nine months before the world was shaken by the COVID outbreak. Reflecting on that time, Lisa says, "It was a bit nerve-wracking initially, but our business model had always focused on remote, keyless entry. This made us a safe option when travel started picking up again. People could drive two hours from Seattle for a two-day escape, knowing they could still maintain enough isolation while enjoying a comfortable mountain getaway."
Since opening, they have built a wonderful experience for guests, and it shows up consistently in the reviews on their booking platforms. At the time of this writing, Unit 6 has 368 reviews on Airbnb and 4.96 out of 5 stars and that’s consistent across all of their units.
Mike shared that one of the most rewarding experiences is meeting guests as they arrive. Often, there's a bit of hesitation at first—a sense that they’re withholding judgment, unsure if the place will live up to the photos they've seen. But after stepping into their unit, the change is immediate and remarkable. If Mike is still around when they come back out, their excitement is clear. Guests consistently share enthusiastic feedback like, "Oh my gosh, it’s so cute!" or "We love it, this is amazing!" Mike explained that it’s important to them to under-promise and over-deliver, though he admits they do set high expectations. Fortunately, they manage to meet or even exceed those standards, which makes it all the more satisfying.
Advice to Others
When asked what advice they would give to others considering a similar venture, the Lisa and Mike emphasized the importance of preparation and persistence. “Do your homework,” they advised. Though not experienced entrepreneurs, they were confident in their plans, having run their own numbers and used reliable data. "We believed strongly that what we were doing was going to work," Mike said.
However, the journey wasn’t easy. After being turned down by multiple banks, the owners were faced with doubts, especially when professional money managers deemed the project too risky. "It puts a lot of doubt in your head," they admitted. Yet, they persisted. Their advice? "Don’t quit. Don’t give up so quickly." They stressed the importance of trusting your gut but also double-checking your numbers to ensure you're making sound decisions.
They also highlighted the need for efficient decision-making, particularly when it comes to smaller choices. "We’re quick decision-makers," they said, giving an example of choosing light fixtures. While they spent time on key decisions, they didn’t overthink minor ones, recognizing that some things just need to get done. "Replacing light fixtures isn’t that hard," they noted, adding that they had made and corrected choices over the years, but the key was to keep moving forward.
A Legacy Built to Last
When considering the future of the property, the Bedards see it as a long-term investment with plenty of flexibility. "We’ve created a model that allows for a lot of options—whether we continue to own and operate the business ourselves or simply own it and hire management," they explained. They even have the possibility of selling the business while keeping the building or selling individual units as condominiums while still managing rentals for new owners.
Their daughter is already involved, helping with weekly tasks, but the setup also allows them to travel and manage the property remotely, thanks to the communication system they established with guests.
From the beginning, we communicated to Syndicate Smith that we planned to keep the building indefinitely. "It was important that the design and quality would stand the test of time, both in terms of maintenance and aesthetics. We weren’t building for a quick turnaround or to sell off before problems arose—we knew we’d be the ones handling things long-term," they said. This future-focused mindset was a key factor in the project's design.
Booher remarked, "When it came to the Bavarian design, they fully embraced it and wanted to do it right. They didn’t want to half-ass it or just do the bare minimum, and I think that really shows in the building."
"We wanted this project to be something that adds value not only to our lives but also to the town we love," they reflected. By creating a place that blends tradition with modern convenience, they've built more than a lodging business; they've established a legacy that can evolve with time and continue to enrich the local landscape for years to come.
Project Information
Leavenworth, Washington
Project Type: Commercial
Built: 2019
Project Size: 5,798 Square Feet
Site Size: 0.14 Acres
Construction Cost: Withheld
Project Team
Architect: Syndicate Smith
Steven Booher, Partner/Principal Architect
Todd Smith, Founding Partner/Principal Architect
Builder: Rimmer & Roeter Construction
Structural Engineer: BTL Engineering
Professional Photography: Dzhan Wiley Photography
