Centinel Public Partnerships and IHG Army Hotels recently unveiled the new Candlewood Suites at Fort Bragg at a ribbon cutting.
The event also included a preview of renovations underway at Normandy House, which will join IHG’s Historia Collection. Together, the projects represent a more than $75 million investment by Nashville, Tenn.-based Centinel. The North Carolina property represents the 17th Candlewood Suites in the Privatization of Army Lodging (PAL) portfolio.
Founded in 2009, the PAL program is a partnership between the U.S. Army and private industry to improve on-post lodging. Centinel and IHG have served as the Department of Defense’s exclusive PAL partners since its inception, with Centinel as owner, developer and asset manager, and Atlanta, Ga.-based IHG as operator.
“The opening of the new Candlewood Suites and the restoration of Normandy House demonstrate our commitment to delivering high-quality lodging for service members, their families and guests,” Matthew Garrett, EVP of asset management at Centinel, said in a statement. “We are proud to support Fort Bragg while preserving its history and enhancing the guest experience for the more than 100,000 annual visitors.”
“The PAL program continues to deliver consistent, high-quality lodging across Army installations,” said Chuck Sourbeer, VP, operations at IHG Army Hotels. “This new Candlewood Suites and the ongoing renovation of Normandy House are designed to meet the unique needs of military life.”
Built on the former site of Hardy Hall, the 122,000-square-foot Candlewood Suites has 207 guestrooms, including studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites. Amenities include in-room kitchens, guest laundry facilities, a courtesy on-post shuttle, outdoor pavilion with barbecue area, 24-hour market, fitness center, Distinguished Visitors lounge, complimentary hot breakfast, pet-friendly accommodations and weekly social events.
The hotel was constructed using cross-laminated timber, making it the sixth CLT-built property in the PAL portfolio. The sustainable material—made from renewable resources— is designed to offer enhanced strength and durability while reducing environmental impact.
Attendees of the ribbon cutting also received a preview of Normandy House, expected to be completed in fall 2026. Built in 1935, the property is the oldest surviving Bachelor Officers Quarters on post and is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Upon completion, it will be part of IHG’s Historia Collection, which preserves historically significant Army buildings.