GREENFIELD — More than a year after the Days Inn on Colrain Road closed its doors as a state-funded emergency shelter, owner Mitta’s Group has announced that the hotel will be renovated into a City Express by Marriott.
Ray Kondé, the area director of operations for Mitta’s Group, said that design plans are moving along, and he believes the site will be fully renovated by the end of 2027.
“We obviously want to get our hotel open as soon as possible,” Kondé said. “I think it’s realistic to have it open by the end of 2027.”
The state had expanded into hotel and motel rooms as a temporary solution to support the rising number of people served by the Emergency Assistance (EA) family shelter system, with many of the families housed at the Days Inn being immigrants and refugees. In accordance with a report by the Special Commission on Emergency Housing Assistance Programs, Gov. Maura Healey began to phase out hotel and motel use in early 2025, with the Greenfield shelter closing at the end of February.
Kondé said Mitta’s Group was happy to work with the state to use the hotel as an emergency shelter, and after that contract ended, the company was excited to update the hotel and get it ready for its next chapter.
“We have been wanting to do this renovation for years,” Kondé said. “After that kind of program, properties are typically a little beat up and due for a refesh.”
He said the hotel on Colrain Road will be getting “a complete refresh” with new paint, floors and bathroom fixtures, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant walk-in showers, and updates to common areas, including upgrades to the gym, lobby and dining room. Features will be modern and align with where the hotel industry has been heading in terms of interior design, according to Kondé. The lobby will be open-concept with pedestal front desks, which are growing in popularity in hotels and feature raised transaction counters and lower hidden work areas.
Kondé added that there will be a renovated coffee station and a continental breakfast setup, and a new marketplace added to the lobby area. He explained that hotels are moving away from using vending machines and opting more for small store areas with snacks, toiletries and other essentials that guests might need. And for the first time, an elevator is being installed in the two-story hotel.
Kondé said the hotel is also being expanded from 59 rooms to 63, and the entryway is being redesigned to include a half-circle for vehicles to pull up to the front door. A shed on the property will be removed to allow for more parking; however, with the addition to the building to allow for an expanded lobby and more rooms on the second floor, the lot will see a net reduction of three parking spots. The reduction in parking was approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals earlier this month.
Mitta’s Group opted to renovate the facility into a City Express by Marriott because the brand is a new mid-scale option for travelers that was recently brought to the United States, according to Kondé. The brand launched internationally, and now, according to the Marriott website, has opened six City Express hotels in the U.S. as of December 2025. Another 100 City Express by Marriott locations, including the Greenfield one and another Mitta’s-owned property in Shrewsbury, are in the works.
In a December statement, Marriott Global Development Officer for the U.S. and Canada Noah Silverman said Marriott is excited to grow the City Express brand.
“City Express by Marriott continues to demonstrate incredible momentum in the U.S. and Canada, with this milestone occurring just over a year after we introduced the mid-scale brand to the region,” Silverman said. “Reaching 100 signings for City Express by Marriott reflects the strong appetite for mid-scale in the market, and we’re thrilled to offer owners a new opportunity to join the Marriott Bonvoy ecosystem while providing guests with more ways to travel with us.”
Kondé said the City Express brand is focused on simple travel basics, while living up to the expectations of guests. He said the brand is designed for travelers, not long-term stays.
“It’s very budget-friendly. … We wouldn’t be building a Ritz-Carlton in Greenfield because it wouldn’t make sense for the demographic,” Kondé said. “City Express still maintains that clean, modern feel. People expect perfection when they’re spending $160, $170 or $180 for their stay. … Marriott put a lot of time to design this to be simple and budget-friendly, but still up to Marriott Bonvoy standards.”
Kondé added that, in addition to the physical changes required to convert the Days Inn to a Marriott, some changes to personnel and operations policies will be needed to meet Marriott’s requirement that all employees engage in community service. This could include volunteering with a food pantry or community meals program, participating in an environmental clean-up or beautification day, or other forms of giving back.
“Our main purpose is for the beautification of the property, but another purpose is to highlight the values of Greenfield and giving back,” Kondé said. “Getting involved in the community is something we’re really excited about. … Greenfield offers endless opportunity for community service.”
