NATCHEZ — The Best Western in Natchez is partially open, after several months of delay.

General Manager P.C. Patel said the hotel on John R. Junkin Drive near the Mississippi River Bridge is currently accepting walk-ins but not reservations.

Some housekeeping work is still left to be accomplished — food orders, furniture arrangements — before there can be a grand opening.

Also, the hotel is not officially the Best Western yet, either.

Patel said the franchise has yet to send down official representatives to conduct a walkthrough to make sure the new hotel is in compliance with Best Western standards.

That’s why despite the “now open” banner on the hotel, the Best Western signs are still covered in plastic.

But Patel said the local hotel officials did not want to wait any longer before opening the doors, especially since minor construction delays postponed the hotel’s opening from September until recently.

Patel said the delay in opening had nothing to do with the economy or slow tourism months at the beginning of the year.

The hotel has 60 units in a variety of choices from king, king suite, king jacuzzi, queen, double and single.

In the amenities department, the hotel offers a fitness center, business center, meeting room and an outdoor swimming pool.

Patel said the hotel is situated in a good position to catch Louisiana traffic coming over the Mississippi River Bridge.

“Coming from Natchez, we’re pretty much the last hotel,” he said.

And as far as competing with the other hotel competition on top of the bluff, the Grand Soleil, Patel merely shrugged his shoulders.

“Grand Soleil is Grand Soleil, but we’re the Best Western,” he said.

Patel said he hopes the official Best Western inspection takes place soon, at which point the plastic wrap will come down and the hotel will have its name.