Southern Hotel Renovation Complete in Downtown Covington
107 years before the date of June 1, 2014, the Southern Hotel opened its doors to hotel guests for the very first time. From June 1, 1907 to 1957, the hotel offered to its guests a physical and spiritual environment in which they could find
serenity and get re-energized. The Northshore itself was known for its retreat-like atmosphere for “townies” where would travel across the lake by ferry to take a weekend retreat in St. Tammany Parish. So, it is no surprise that the Southern Hotel of yesteryear would offer a spa-like experience for its guests.
The hotel building itself did not stay a hotel after its 50-year run. As recently as 2005, after Hurricane Katrina, the buildings were used for government purposes, specifically the Red Cross, to aid in the hurricane recovery after the storm. One constant part of the 
buildings facade has remained, though – Tugy’s Bar. Even though the bar itself was unable to stay in business, that part of the building has retained its usefulness as a bar for all of these years.
The Southern Hotel building was purchased by developers Lisa Condrey Ward, Joseph Ward, and Ricky and Gayle Condrey in 2011. What would be considered a fairly “quick” construction renovation of a building in St. Tammany Parish, especially in downtown Covington, the Southern Hotel is holding its grand opening, ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, May 30, 2014, at 11am. Anyone who lives or works in the area is invited to attend other celebratory events at the hotel over the weekend of May 30th to June 1st to mark its 107th anniversary and a return to its original purpose and use.
The hotel will feature 42 guest rooms, a 2,400-square-foot ballroom, meeting space, a restaurant, an upscale bar, and spa treatment and fitness rooms. The opening of this hotel will fill a hole for an upscale, somewhat boutique hotel, in the heart of downtown Covington on Boston St.
