Turning a nightmare into a dream
- by Dustin Woods
Visionary Columnist
January is about renewal. This year, I’d like to share with my readers about a renewal the OKC 2SLGBTQIA+ community has witnessed at one of the anchor points of our gayborhood, The District Hotel.
Having a natural curiosity about the changes I’ve witnessed firsthand at the property over the last few years, I decided to dig deeper. So I asked Steve Blundell, the current owner of what used to be known as “The Habana Inn,” if I could interview him about his vision for the property now called The District Hotel, Clubs, and Resort.
The interview took place the evening before the Violet Chachki and Gottmik show.
My first impression of meeting Steve was that it was a family affair. All the employees at The District seem to be on a first-name basis with Steve, and he had hamburgers cooked for his staff and for Violet and Gottmik’s staff. I was excited to hear that the top talent and all their staff were staying at the hotel and had been taking an extended break there, enjoying the amenities. Steve walked me around the property, showing me some behind-the-scenes areas I had never been to before.
He’s such a busy guy; he even programmed the lasers for the DJ set while answering my questions.
Steve’s vision for the property is grand. We’ve all seen the changes to the two main bars, some of my favorite libation locations, but did you know he has renovated all but 30 of the short-term stay rooms? There are 45 long-term extended-stay rooms occupied, and Steve ensures these guests have regular events to attend, including Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
There are also nail services already being offered on site, with plans to expand to a more full-service spa model.
The pools are undergoing a remodel as well, with the east pool sitting empty and undergoing upgrades even as I conducted this interview. Steve says that he wants to find a way to cover one pool area so that it can be used year-round. Another desired element is a restaurant, which requires kitchen remodeling. Once the kitchen and pool area covering are placed, Steve feels he can market The District as a year-round resort.
Because the seasonal nature of his business means lean times over the winter, Steve has had to become more creative in how he attracts business. Events with big names are one way to go, but there is a bigger vision at work at The District, one that involves nightmares. Akin to the Purple Party in Dallas, or Wonderland events in Southern California, Steve wants to create a themed set of parties for the OKC community. The theme is “nightmare,” and when they rolled out the Halloween version, the line wrapped around the building to get in the door! Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter could all get The District Nightmare treatment!
The vision articulated to me is lofty and impressive. There are big things in Steve’s plans for our community, more than he could articulate in the short time I got to interview him. But he doesn’t do these things alone. It takes a dedicated team of employees and a large, loyal customer base for these endeavors to endure.
It also requires significant financial backing, and I found comfort in knowing that the money Mr. Blundell borrowed to purchase the property came from Oklahoma’s only black-owned bank, First Security Bank.
This property holds a special place in the hearts of many in our community, and I know it’s hard to see things change. Hell, I met my partner at The Copa! We’ve seen the makeover, but I honestly feel like we are watching a larger metamorphosis, one in which we all get to play our own supporting role.
For reservations, call (405) 528-2221 or email reservations@districthotelok.com.
The Gayly online. 01/18/26 @ 5:10 p.m. CST.