It's been a year since the snow fell in Kodak, Tennessee, providing the rare Southern white Christmas that so many long for.
But as the pretty snowfall turned into a winter storm that created icy roads and plunging temperatures on Christmas Eve 2020, hotel owner Sean Patel decided he would become a saving grace for holiday travelers. The Quality Inn Kodak became a literal refuge in the storm for dozens of people who needed a warm place to stay after electricity was lost for thousands of East Tennesseans.
It was personally a tough decision. His first obligation was to provide a warm place for travelers who booked a night at his hotel just off of Interstate 40 near the Great Smoky Mountains.
But he also wanted to travel with his family after the hotel was set for the night.
“I remember thinking, this is looking rough. I began to pray saying please God don't ruin this because we were really looking forward to traveling and having an exciting Christmas with my son and in-laws,” he told Knox News.
As he and his wife worked the front desk, they paid close attention to what was going on outside. Winter weather warnings started coming in and Patel had to think about his employees' safety, too.
“I put my son’s gifts under the tree in the hotel lobby and knew it was going to be a long night,” he said. Patel’s son was 6 years old at the time.
They had to make sure their workers were safe and those with reservations didn't arrive to an empty hotel.
It turned out to be one of the most magical nights of his life, and one that earned him national recognition.
Dangerous conditions
The more the snow fell, the severity of the situation became clearer.
Patel realized locals were without power and their homes were getting cold, so he took to social media to announce he was opening his doors at an extremely discounted rate. For many, there would be no charge at all.??
The hotel went from almost empty to filling all 60 rooms in a matter of hours as those stranded on the highway made it up to the hotel seeking shelter. Residents from the nearby mountain towns of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg started pouring in.
Once the rooms were taken, Patel started creating cozy spaces in the lobby, near the indoor pool and anywhere people could find guests a place to rest. He kept every single person warm and fed.
Holiday spirit
Looking back, the experience demonstrated Patel's generosity but also the greater spirit of kindness as community members helped one another out.
A year after that deep winter freeze, the guests who stayed at the Quality Inn that night have kept in touch via a Facebook group. They check in with each other and stay current on each other's lives. A Christmas Eve with strangers will do that, after all.
“There were many people I didn’t take any money from. I know it could be me and my kid sitting across that table freezing just trying to be warm. I knew this was my time to do something for others,” he said.
He remembers all the sweet moments that Christmas brought.
"It was a beautiful thing to see. I actually teared up a few times. I had a man show me his bank account balance and had nothing in it. I opened up my hotel to people in these situations and I am proud of being able to do that," Patel said.
National attention
Readers Digest magazine recognized Patel's efforts by naming the Quality Inn Kodak as one of its Nicest Places in America. It’s an honor Patel holds close to his heart.
“We still are getting letters and cards from people from all over the country. We have almost $6,000 in donations and we are using that as a reserve to help people in need if they need transitional housing,” he said.
Patel came to America in 2004 from India. After graduating from the University of Tennessee, he starting running hotels to support his wife and son.
But now, he said, the work at one of his hotels has forever changed the meaning of Christmas for him and his family.
“I was able to help my community and because of that it was the best Christmas ever. I want to keep giving as much as it is within my power.”
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