Rooms in a 30-year-old Richland hotel are getting a refresh this summer. 

The city’s Hampton Inn at 486 Bradley Blvd., just south of Howard Amon Park and the Richland Community Center, is marking three decades this summer. Part of the Hilton brand, the hotel is required to keep up with the brand’s looks and periodically modernize its facilities. 

The hotel renovated its lobby and pool area in 2024, and work started in November 2025 on updates to its 130 guest rooms. 

The renovation work, done by Hummel Construction and Development, has included new wallpaper and carpet in the hallways and stairwells; wallpaper in the bathrooms and carpet in the guest rooms, plus new couches, lounge chairs and desk chairs in the rooms. 

The new decor is themed around the Columbia River, said Melody Goller, the hotel’s general manager. While there were limited design schemes to choose from, Goller said the hotel leaned into the theme focused on blues and greens, “which we just felt naturally just tied into our environment being off of the river.”

The hotel’s patio, meeting rooms and many of the guest rooms open onto the riverwalk along the Columbia River, just steps away from the hotel. Since the Hampton Inn is pet-friendly, “it’s nice that we have the park right next door, makes it super easy for pet parents to walk their pups along the river, go over to the park, play in the water a little bit,” Goller said. 

Much of the artwork in the hotel’s lobby and rooms is locally centered as well, with photos featuring the Tri-Cities’ iconic bridges or hydroplanes. 

Hotel guests 

The project so far has cost between $3 million and $4 million, Goller said. They’ve been remodeling in sections of 40 rooms at a time so that the hotel can stay open during the work. The rooms in progress are in a separate section from operational rooms so that guests aren’t disturbed by carpet being ripped up and furniture taken in and out. 

“We’ve had it kind of secluded, so it really hasn’t impacted guest stay at all,” she said. 

Their first remodeled section opened in early March, with the second section following at the end of April. So far, the guests have had great feedback. 

“We have a lot of people who are return guests,” Goller explained. “They’re here week after week, and they really love the hotel as it was, but they’ve been super excited about the updates.”

On weekdays, the hotel fills up with business travelers, many in town for work at the Hanford site or with agricultural companies. As summer kicks off, the hotel is packed with families and teams in town for sporting tournaments. 

Many of those in town for athletics come from across the state. Goller said Seattle-based teams often come to the Tri-Cities for its sunshine. But other guests come from across the country and even sometimes internationally. 

Ironman

The hotel has also been popular with Ironman 70.3 athletes, since the Hampton Inn is located near the heart of the Tri-Cities race, which has taken place the last two years and is slated for a third this September. 

Participating athletes and their families have stayed at the Hampton Inn during the event, and the hotel has enjoyed getting involved, too. 

“Last year we decorated the property with … motivational signs for the participants. We had noisemakers that we were giving out day of for family members or supporters to go out, because it goes right by the hotel multiple times,” Goller said. 

“We’re really excited for them to come back again this year,” she said. 

The hotel is manned by about 30 staff members. A ribbon cutting to celebrate the completed renovations will be held at 3 p.m. June 25, with refreshments, giveaways and room tours. 

Goller said she’s excited to show off the hotel, especially since they’re tucked away: “I think most locals don’t know that we’re here.”

“It’ll be good to bring the community and show them what we’ve got to offer,” she said.