FOLEY, Ala. — For more than a year construction has been underway on the addition to the Hotel Magnolia. Many have guessed what the inside might hold, but few would be correct. The new addition will house a restaurant, elevator, private party room and two banquet rooms able to hold 200 guests.

“It’s deceiving in size,” Magnolia Hotel Director of Sales and Marketing Kathy Melson said, “It may look small but the banquet rooms are large and just gorgeous.”

The restaurant, Magnolia Court, will be able to seat more than 70 and features an open kitchen. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, some menu highlights include: cheese tarts, fresh fish catch, crispy lobster tail, grilled merlot steak, flatbread salads and turkey ruebens.

The affordable menu was designed by Executive Chef Greg Buschmohle.

“We didn’t tell Greg what kind of food we wanted the restaurant to serve,” Magnolia Hotel General Manager Don Lambert said. “He did it all himself. It’s all him.”

Both the menu and the restaurant were designed to serve the Foley community.

“We wanted the restaurant to be affordable and great food,” Melson said. “We wanted it to be a place people could come to everyday for lunch if they wanted to.”

The restaurant officially opens June 1, but reservations are already being taken. On the same floor of the restaurant is an overflow/private room that features a kitchenette and big screen television.

The room can be rented out for private events, but Melson hopes to use the room for cooking classes and wine tastings in the fall.

Above the restaurant is the two banquet rooms that, although unfinished, have some big events to host this year.

“I’ve already had five brides call about weddings here,” Meslon said. “It’s a great alternative for those who don’t like the prices at the Grand Hotel because really there’s nothing else in the area like what we have here.”

The rooms can seat up to 200 people reception-style and are designed so a ceremony can be held in one room and the reception in another.

“Brides can get married in the park, in a church or our courtyard,” Melson said. “But they can also do it all here.”

One of the banquet rooms even has a private balcony entrance that runs from the room to the bridal suite, so the bridal party can go directly to the banquet room.

“I’m so excited about all the weddings we can have here,” Melson said. “I can just imagine it. It’s beautiful for pictures, plus you can decorate it any way you want and make it your  own.” In fact, Melson loves the new banquet rooms so much her own daughter will be wed there.

The entire staff is excited about the restaurant, banquet rooms and pool that were added.

“Construction went on for just too long,” Lambert said. “We are all excited, but exhausted.”

The ribbon cutting ceremony will be Monday at 2 p.m. For more information contact the Magnolia Hotel at 943-5297.