Opened on October 1, 1930, Hotel Settles was built by Will R. and Lillian Settles, following the discovery of oil on their ranch. Designed by architect David Castle, the building was constructed as a solid concrete, 15-story, 150-room hotel with a restaurant and a pharmacy.
At the time, it was the tallest building between El Paso and Ft. Worth. The Settles family owned the hotel for two years, but sold it when the Great Depression gripped the nation and their oil revenues diminished. The hotel went through several owners in the ensuing years.
In 2006, G. Brint Ryan purchased the hotel. Ryan, who grew up in Big Spring, was determined to revitalize this aging landmark, and invested $30 million in its renovation. Under his guidance, the building was impeccably restored, and designed with the rich history of the area in mind. The original Grand Ballroom was fully refurbished, with meticulous detail given to its historic context. Other rooms were restored and given names in homage to their regional history. For instance, our T & P Meeting Room was named for the Texas & Pacific Railroad, critical to the growth of the community in its formative years. The Cosden Meeting Room recalls the importance of our local oil industry, the Birdwell Conference Room is in tribute to John Birdwell and the Judge’s Chambers are in homage of the legendary Judge.
Above the landing of the hotel’s grand staircase, you’ll find a portrait of Ryan’s mother, Virginia Ann Wilson Ryan, who inspired her son to do difficult tasks the right way. The Hotel Settles is living proof of this inspiration.