How MONARC® Helped Peak Hospitality Turn a Maintenance Challenge into an Opportunity at SureStay by Best Western
The Challenge
When a bathtub broke at the SureStay by Best Western in Montrose, Colorado, the team at Peak Hospitality saw an opportunity to do more than make a routine repair. Instead of replacing the tub with another standard installation, they wanted to create a modern shower space that would meet franchise
requirements, minimize room downtime and provide a more durable alternative to traditional tile.
The project also came at a time when the company was reevaluating materials used across its renovation portfolio. Faced with rising shipping costs, longer construction schedules and ongoing maintenance concerns, the team was looking for solutions that could simplify installation while delivering a high-quality guest experience. Above all, the material needed to be completely waterproof to ensure long-term moisture protection in high-use guest baths.
“We had been using tile and other traditional surround materials, but shipping costs were continually rising,” says Ireyne Duncan, design director at Peak Hospitality. “At the same time, we wanted a bathroom environment that would continue to look clean and well maintained for guests, since grout can be challenging to keep looking fresh over time.”
The company had also experimented with acrylic wall systems during recent renovations, but concerns about durability remained.
“If a panel was damaged, we could be waiting two to three weeks for a replacement,” says Walter Barela, CEO, Peak Hospitality. “That has a real impact on construction schedules.”
For hotel owners, delays like that affect more than construction schedules. Every additional day a room remains offline impacts revenue.
The team needed a solution that would install efficiently, stand up to daily use and provide a finished look that reflected the expectations of today’s travelers.
Project Overview
Location: Montrose, CO
Property: SureStay by Best Western
Product: MONARC® Interior Wall Panels
Management & Design: Peak Hospitality
The Solution
When MONARC® interior wall panels from 3A Composites Americas were introduced to the team, the product immediately stood out. Unlike the acrylic alternatives they had previously encountered, the panels offered a durable surface capable of withstanding shipping, handling and installation demands.
Rather than performing a simple overlay, the renovation team removed the damaged tub and completely rebuilt the space as a walk-in shower using MONARC panels. The installation gave the team an opportunity to create a new shower environment without the delays and maintenance concerns they had experienced with other materials.
For Ireyne Duncan, meeting brand standards was only part of the equation. The bathroom also had to reflect the sense of cleanliness today’s guests expect.
“Since COVID, guests want to feel their environment is clean,” Duncan explains. “These panels look clean. It’s easy to judge how clean they are.”
The final design paired an Unhinged panel on the back wall and side wall with Unhinged Metallic panels on the device wall, creating visual contrast while staying within franchise guidelines. The combination delivered a fresh, contemporary appearance without resembling the low-cost plastic wall systems increasingly found in some bathroom renovations.
“We wanted something that looked different,” says Barela. “Everybody uses tile or a more budget-conscious plastic. We believe MONARC will cause people to stop and ask, ‘What is this?'”
The installation team also customized the finishing details. Rather than using rounded corner trim, they incorporated Schluter profiles to create sharper lines and support a more refined appearance. Because the panels could be adhered directly into place without the need for grout, installation was faster and cleaner than traditional tile applications.
The ability to route and fold panels at corners further reduced seams and supported a watertight installation.
The Results
The completed installation generated positive feedback almost immediately. Property leadership responded favorably to the finished appearance and housekeeping staff anticipated that the grout-free, monolithic panels would be easier to maintain. Its smooth surfaces and minimal joints helped reinforce the clean, polished appearance guests expect today.
“MONARC made the installation quicker and cleaner,” says Barela. “Construction schedules keep getting longer, so any opportunity to simplify the process and get rooms back in service faster is a real advantage. This product works well for both tub and shower installations and is especially attractive for retrofit projects.”
The project also highlighted something equally valuable for the design team: flexibility.
“The wonderful thing from my perspective is that I can be inspired by the colors and finishes,” says Duncan. “The next step is to look at the product and create an environment around it.”
What began as a single bathroom renovation quickly became a model for future projects. Encouraged by both the installation process and the finished result, Peak Hospitality is already exploring additional applications for MONARC, including elevator cabs, column wraps and lobby features. As the company continues renovating properties throughout its portfolio, the team sees opportunities to incorporate the product in both guest-facing and back-of-house environments.
For hotel owners and designers, every renovation decision involves balancing aesthetics, maintenance requirements and construction schedules. The Montrose project proved that those goals do not have to compete with one another. By replacing a damaged tub with a thoughtfully designed shower environment, the team found a solution that balanced aesthetics, installation efficiency and long-term performance.
In Summary
3A Composites Americas is committed to the design, production and delivery of sustainable, high-quality materials that transform interior spaces, inspiring customization and creativity. The shower renovation at the SureStay by Best Western demonstrates how MONARC® interior wall panels can help hospitality owners and designers modernize guest spaces while reducing installation complexity and long-term maintenance concerns. Available in 30 finishes, MONARC combines performance, visual appeal and design flexibility to create attractive spaces that are ready for guests faster and easier to maintain for years to come.
