A new 78-room Hampton Inn in Hibbing that offers an array of distinct features, is officially open for business.

"It's the nicest hotel north of Minneapolis right now," said Todd Torvinen, president of ZMC Hotels, Inc., of Duluth, developers of the hotel.

The hotel is ZMC's first hotel featuring Hilton's "Forever Young Initiative." The initiative means that the hotel guest rooms have a floating vanity, wall-mounted furniture, center TV cabinet, sliding barn doors on bathrooms and closets, and a clean white look in each bathroom. A streamlined roof line with canopy lighting accentuates the exterior.

"It's the first in the U.S. with the new design,' said Torvinen. "We also incorporated elements of the Iron Range into the carport by using iron and steel banding to celebrate the Iron Range iron and steel culture."

A 40-person capacity swimming pool, 10-person spa, and two fitness rooms equipped with cardio and weightlifting equipment, offer "road warriors" a variety of physical fitness activities, said Torvinen.

The hotel parking lot is sized to accommodate enticement of a restaurant, he said.

The hotel employs about 15.

ZMC Hotels sees the hotel as filling a lodging void between Hibbing and Grand Rapids, said Torvinen.

"We're real fortunate working with the IRRRB and the City of Hibbing Economic Development Authority," said Torvinen. "It's been real enjoyable."

Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board provided a $350,000 grant to support infrastructure and site work for construction of the hotel.

tt Park Greenhouse in Virginia