News Summary
Grand Rapids has recently welcomed new boutique hotels, Hotel Rose and The Blue Jay, boosting local hospitality and community engagement. Hotel Rose in Rockford features 54 rooms and upscale dining options, while The Blue Jay will begin bookings in January 2024 with a unique homelike experience. The opening of these hotels coincides with community improvements and local events, promising to enhance tourism and economic development in the area.
Grand Rapids has recently welcomed new boutique hotels, significantly enhancing local hospitality and community vibrancy. Notably, Hotel Rose and The Blue Jay are poised to contribute to the area’s accommodations and entertainment offerings, catering to both visitors and residents.
Hotel Rose Opens in Rockford
Hotel Rose, a 54-room boutique hotel, opened its doors in downtown Rockford, MI, located at 12 S. Main St. Developed by Wheeler Development Group and AHC Hospitality, the project had a development cost of $14 million. The hotel combines mid-century charm with modern amenities, drawing inspiration from the 1950s and 1960s downtown hotels. Notably, Hotel Rose was sold out during its opening weekend, showcasing strong interest from guests.
The development has also created over 75 full-time jobs in the community, with more than 40 positions in hotel and restaurant operations. Guests at Hotel Rose can expect room rates ranging from $179 to $219 per night. An upscale steakhouse and bourbon bar named Char + Barrel is situated within the same development, further enhancing the dining options available to guests.
The timing of Hotel Rose’s launch coincided with the Rockford Harvest Festival, which contributed to its impressive initial bookings. Guests can also look forward to additional businesses, including Kula Yoga and Direct Aesthetics, opening on the ground level alongside the hotel.
The Blue Jay Set to Launch in January 2024
Meanwhile, The Blue Jay, a six-room boutique hotel located at 644 Bridge St. NW in Grand Rapids, is set to begin bookings in January 2024. This hotel features five suites upstairs, a shared lounge and bar area, as well as an outdoor courtyard with fire pits and lawn games for guests to enjoy. The redevelopment of The Blue Jay amounted to approximately $1.3 million, mainly due to inflation and a lengthy permit approval process.
Before renovations, the building that houses The Blue Jay had been vacant for over 10 years and had faced significant structural issues. Developer Brad Veneklase has focused on rehabilitating old buildings to preserve their history while enhancing the Grand Rapids community. Guests at The Blue Jay have expressed appreciation for the homelike environment and simplicity offered by boutique hotels compared to larger hotel chains.
Other Community Developments
In addition to the new hotels, city and community leaders recently broke ground on a $9 million project to expand and renovate the Oxford Trail, a 2.5-mile pedestrian pathway in Grand Rapids. Plans for the revitalization include amenities such as a small performance amphitheater, grills, picnic tables, bike repair stations, and playground equipment, aimed at improving community engagement and accessibility.
Moreover, ArtPrize, a prominent local art event, has faced challenges due to a federal government shutdown, resulting in the relocation of entries from the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum to The Morton apartment building. This disruption reflects ongoing challenges within the community’s cultural sector.
Another local business, Mines Golf Club, is embarking on a $1 million upgrade, which includes the construction of a winter driving range building, ensuring that golfers can practice and play year-round.
As the hospitality landscape continues to evolve in Grand Rapids with the opening of these boutique hotels, the community anticipates increased tourism and engagement in local businesses, bolstering the area’s economic development.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Saint John’s Resort Named Best Hotel in Michigan for 2025
K9 Resorts Grand Rapids Opens Luxury Dog Boarding Facility
Grand Rapids Welcomes Nightwatch Lounge
Donald Trump’s Financial Disclosure Reveals Stunning Wealth
Rising Homelessness Among Michigan Students
Luxury NoMad Hotel to Open in Detroit’s Michigan Central Station
NoMad Hotel to Open in Historic Michigan Central Station
Luxury Hotel NoMad Detroit to Transform Michigan Central Station
Detroit to Welcome NoMad Hotel in Historic Michigan Central Station by 2027
Rising Student Homelessness Crisis in Michigan
Additional Resources
- MLive: Hello Grand Rapids boutique hotels
- Wikipedia: Boutique hotel
- MLive: New Michigan boutique hotel
- Google Search: Boutique Hotels in Michigan
- Crain’s Grand Rapids: Boutique hotel opening in January
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hotel
- Boutique Hotelier: New boutique hotel in West Michigan
- Google News: Grand Rapids hotel news
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
