UFV alumni open vibrant new hotel in Chilliwack

Photo credit: Robyn Bessenger

The grand, arched entrance of the Hotel Morado sits among the picturesque cobblestone streets of Chilliwack’s District 1881. Whether by chance or by magic, it came to its owners in the most unlikely way.

“It was a series of synchronicities that kind of led up to it all,” smiles Jade Lehti, one of the owners and operators of the hotel. Jade and her husband (co-owner and operator Cory Lehti) are both UFV alumni and Chilliwack locals. They hold certificates in Hospitality and Event Management and Electrical, respectively.

One year ago, Jade hadn’t even heard of this hotel. As an event manager and director of the Community Arts Council, she found herself in a meeting with 1881 developers Algra Bros. Development to discuss the Chilliwack Mural Festival. While walking through the district selecting walls to be painted, they asked Jade if she’d like to view an event space that they were working on.

Phil Algra showed her what would turn into The Grand Hall — then under construction — and described their vision for the beautiful room it would become.

“Well, when this opens up, I’ll for sure try to host some events here. This sounds great,” Jade told the developers.

“No,” they clarified. “Do you want it?”

They were looking for owners to lease and run the space — a dream of Jade’s, but one she’d imagined five or ten years down the line.

“At first, I was like, ‘I don’t know if that’s in our cards.’ But the idea just kind of stuck, and a couple days went by chatting back and forth with Cory. And I thought, ‘What if it is something we could do?’”

They decided and sent off a message to Phil, though Jade wasn’t sure if he would see it. Sure enough, she bumped into him later having lunch at The Offy. If he hadn’t been alone, Jade might not have interrupted — but since he was, she approached.

“I actually do want to explore this,” she admitted. “I can’t get it out of my head.”

There was a surprise. With the Grand Hall came its sister business, Hotel Morado, which would provide accommodations for guests attending its events.

“That’s more than I would ever be able to handle on my own, for sure,” Jade was thinking at the time. But she wasn’t alone at all. After 11 years at his previous job, her husband felt ready for a change. He agreed to become her business partner and help run their exciting new venture.

After much discussion and drafting of business plans, the couple waited patiently to hear back from the developers.

And then a message came. “You’re it — pull the trigger.”

With the support of Algra Bros’ construction crew and the artful eye of Bloom + Build Interior Design’s Courtney Loewen, Jade and Cory celebrated the Hotel Morado’s grand opening on April 19 this year. Family and friends pitched in to help the two UFV alumni with operations. The 12-room hotel was inspired by European design, with care taken to make each of the spaces bespoke and unique.

Thinking back on the whirlwind of the previous months, Jade describes it as surreal.

“If all that can happen in a year, then… yeah. It’s just wild.”

To support the Lehtis’ event space and hotel, you can visit The Grand Hall’s website here, and Hotel Morado here.