Snazzy hotel opening soon

The San Manuel Village, nestled in a wedge abutting the 330 Freeway, Boulder and Highland avenues, is wrapping up with the 4-story, 110-room Hampton Inn & Suites set to open on Sept. 10.

It will serve as a gateway to the mountain resort communities, luring out-of-towners and locals for stayovers, said Peter Watts, executive director of planning and development for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

A Starbucks is planned to open in the plaza as well, said John Jaquess, the city's community development director. He couldn't confirm other tenants planning to open shop in the plaza, which will feature retail shops, restaurants and a 68,000 square-foot, three-story office building.

Watts said several leases have been secured from prospective tenants, but declined to name them, saying he wanted to leave that to the businesses themselves.

Tribal officials and developers broke ground on the 12.29-acre site in December 2006.

"It sets a benchmark, in my opinion, that says the city is interested in quality, mixed-use centers with good architecture and design," Watts said.

The market will ultimately decide the speed in which spaces are leased out.

"It is hard to tell with the economy right now, but we're cautiously optimistic," Watts said.