ELDRED — The Eldred Preserve has officially opened its doors. The hotel and restaurant has been in the works for close to four years and now the dream has become a reality.

Born by the vision of entrepreneurs Dan and Joan Silna, the new resort combines three Sullivan County legacy brands: The Eldred Preserve, The Bradstan Country Hotel and The Old Homestead Restaurant.

Local public and elected officials from all over the county joined the owners for an opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday evening.

“This community has accepted us very well,” Dan Silna said. “I am personally thrilled at the support this community has given us.”

Hors devours were passed around as the guests mingled in the lobby of the hotel, with its grand architecture and comfortable seating areas.

“We’re all incredibly grateful,” said Chief Operating Officer Scott Samuelson. “It takes a lot of people to accomplish what has been accomplished here on this property.”

Many speakers of the night thanked the Silnas for spearheading this monumental project.

“Thank you for choosing Sullivan County,” remarked State Senator Mike Martucci. “Thank you for your investment here, and your continued investment in this county.”

The historic property where the former Eldred Preserve once stood has been a mainstay in the community for many years.

Town of Highland Supervisor Jeff Haas said that many people would remember his cousin Terry who was a bartender there and he and his wife were married on the property.

“Welcome to the community,” he said to the Silnas. “It’s only up from here, and thank you for coming to the Town of Highland.”

The on-site restaurant will be open to the public six days a week serving steakhouse and farm-to-table fare and the inn has a variety of accommodations.

Others acknowledged the benefit the new hospitality destination will bring to tourism in the area.

“It’s these types of properties that put us at the front of the marketplace, and this is why the Sullivan Catskills has led in tourism growth two years in a row,” said Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association President/CEO Roberta Byron-Lockwood.

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther added, “We’re becoming a great tourist destination and it’s people like you that invest in our community that really makes a difference.”