Royal Hotel in Chilliwack purchased by new owners, will undergo name change

The new hotel name is required due to naming rights associated with the Royal Hotel trademark or branding.

“There will be some changes, one of them being the name of the hotel due to copyright issues. The new name will be Richca Heritage Hotel,” McDonald clarified. “This will be a family-based business & there is in fact a wonderful story behind the new brand name that this Hotel will become. Christine & Chih-Kai feel blessed to have moved to Canada with their family, & the brand name is a combination of their belief that our country & our community where they chose to live & work, is rich in opportunity, culture & diversity!”

McDonald says the hotel will remain a heritage-type hotel and respect the historic significance in the downtown core. He says the cafe and pub space will also be an exciting addition to the downtown moving forward.

“It is my pleasure to welcome these new owners to our Downtown, and I hope that you all have time to stop by to welcome them yourselves!” McDonald said.

The new owners have upgraded a motel in Hope known as the Richca Chalets Resort to meet modern comfort standards while it focuses on a warm and welcoming guest experience.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to now become part of Chilliwack’s historic downtown community,” Christine Lai and Chih-Kai Cheng said. “Our goal is not to tear it down, turn it into condos, or replace it with a modern high-rise. Our vision is to bring the hotel back to its former glory while respecting the history, character, and memories connected to this building.”

The couple said they understand concerns around the heritage component of the property.

“We recognize how important this building is to Chilliwack & to the people who have memories here. While we are still in the early stages, our intention is to preserve the character of the hotel & improve it in a way that honours its history,” Lai and Cheng said. “We also want to clarify that we will not be selling antiques or historical items from the hotel. We understand that many of these pieces are part of the story & atmosphere of the hotel, and we want to treat them with care.”

They said their focus is centred around restoring and improving the hotel step by step.

“This includes the guest experience, safety, cleanliness, room comfort, and the overall quality of the property,” they said. “We are also considering how to bring life back to the restaurant & public spaces in a way that fits the building and the community. We have loved reading people’s memories of the hotel, from stories about the old restaurant to moments connected to the building’s long history. Those comments remind us how meaningful this place is, and they are exactly why we want to approach this project carefully.”

The couple concluded their message to the community with themes of gratitude and reassurance.

“Thank you to everyone who has shared support, questions, memories, and concerns. We know trust is earned, and we hope to earn it through respectful improvements and clear communication as we move forward,” Lai and Cheng said, on behalf of Richca Hotel Corporation.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

Royal Hotel in Chilliwack purchased by new owners, will undergo name change

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