The Days Inn of Newton was outdated and in much need of repair. All of that changed when a new owner took over in June.

Formerly a hospital worker in Des Moines, Jessica Huston, Days Inn front desk manager, started working at the hotel in April 2012. She credits the General Manager Namen Patel for the hotel’s successful transformation.

“He is just the most nice, phenomenal boss that you could ever ask for,” she said. “(He) never asks you to do anything that he is not willing to do himself. (He) works completely around the clock. He is a very, very, very down to earth guy, and he is willing to do anything for his employees.”