Radisson Hotel in Grand Rapids Becomes Independent Riverfront Hotel

Local entrepreneur Bob Sullivan, owner of the 162-room hotel visible from US-131 North at the Ann Street exit, said the name change reflects that he will be operating the lodging as an independent hotelier. All signage that refers to Radisson - everything from the hotel's main marquee to telephone nameplates in every room - will be replaced with the Riverfront Hotel brand early next week. Sullivan said he decided to part ways with Radisson, a hotel franchise owned by the Carlson Co. Inc. headquartered in Minnetonka, Minn., when Carlson's rebranding strategy under its Ambition2015 plan didn't provide the right fit for Sullivan's Ann Street hotel location. "We have had a mutually beneficial relationship with Carlson and Radisson for the past 10 years, and it is a well-run company with an excellent reputation," said Sullivan, who has a long history of developing lodging properties in the city's central business district. "But its strategic plan launched two years ago to provide high-end lodging is not in sync with our business plan." Advertisement "We are an upscale hotel," he added. "Our guests appreciate our value-based approach of providing comfortable, contemporary accommodations less than 2 miles from the heart of Grand Rapids." The Riverfront Hotel-Grand Rapids offers amenities such as Sleep Number® beds, indoor pool, whirlpool, dry sauna, fitness center, complimentary wireless Internet access, 42-inch plasma TVs, pet friendly rooms and business class suites. The Landing Restaurant, a local favorite dining spot for more than 40 years, features dishes made from ingredients that support West Michigan farmers, and the hotel's adjacent sports and entertainment lounge offers scenic views of the Grand River, with music and entertainment 5 nights a week. The hotel also has 2,585 square feet of meeting space for social, business and group events. Hotel General Manager Todd Roesler said the rebranded hotel has launched a website to inform guests and take online reservations. Riverfront Hotel-Grand Rapids will gain a profile in the next few days on the lodging industry's Global Distribution System, the worldwide hotel reservation network for booking rooms used by travel agents and travel consortia such as American Express and Carlson Wagonlit. Regardless of its status as an independent, Riverfront Hotel-Grand Rapids will continue its capital improvements program that amounted to more than $500,000 last year and an equal amount this year, Roesler said. As part of last year's improvements, the hotel installed state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment, wireless and hardwired data support for business travelers and upgraded room lighting and amenities. The hotel employs up to 100 full and part-time people at the height of its season. Roesler said the company will operate Riverfront Hotel-Grand Rapids as an independent hotel, but it has not ruled out a possible association with another major hotel chain. Sullivan bought the hotel in 2003 with former state senator and lifelong friend Glenn Steil as a Radisson Hotel, but it started out as a Holiday Inn when it was first constructed in 1968. Sullivan built and developed the Days Inn Downtown at Pearl Street that he sold, which later became Holiday Inn. He also owns the 156-room Howard Johnson Plaza on 28th Street near U.S. 131, and continues to own and operate Sullivan's Carpet and Furniture store on 28th Street. Sullivan and Roesler said the new name and rebranding emphasizes the unique opportunities that metro Grand Rapids offers with its access to the Grand River. "There are a tremendous number of exciting things on the drawing board for the city and the river," Sullivan said. "As our new name suggests, we intend to be part of it." Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.