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An aerial view Wednesday afternoon of the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch at 14 Great Falls Plaza in Auburn, where a more than $1.2 million renovation is wrapping up. The hotel held an open house Wednesday. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer) Purchase this image

AUBURN — The Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch, located at 14 Great Falls Plaza, celebrated more than seven months of renovation Wednesday, hosting the LA Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Maine Tourism Association and the public with an open house.

The makeover, which cost more than $1.25 million, included all guest rooms, the event space, lobby, restaurant, the Riverwatch Grand Ballroom and other public areas of the hotel, which was built in 2003 and last renovated in 2014.

Construction is still wrapping up, but should be completed by mid August, according to hotel management. The exterior of the hotel will also be renovated once the interior work is complete.

The six-story hotel has 138 guest rooms, an indoor pool, fitness center, meeting rooms, a business center, event space and other amenities. It also hosts weddings and receptions.

The pool at the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch in Auburn is pictured Wednesday during an open house showing off the renovations at the hotel. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer)

The hotel was acquired in May 2024 by Giri Hotel Management in Quincy, Massachusetts. The New England firm owns and operates 26 hotels in Maine, including The Bethel Resort and The Harraseeket Inn in Freeport. The Hilton Garden Inn Riverwatch has 74 employees.

The hotel also welcomed a new chef in June.

Lewiston native Jason Voye can be found at The Garden Grille & Bar and brings more than 30 years of culinary expertise to the table. He got his start out of high school under the watchful eye of Phil Wilbur at Sedgley’s Place in Greene. He describes his food as gastro-pub style and says his signature dish is seafood risotto.

A long-time journalist, Christopher got his start with Armed Forces Radio & Television after college. Seventeen years at CNN International brought exposure to major national and international stories...

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