ACME, Mich. – A $7 million interior renovation of the iconic landmark tower at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is underway, and the design elements of the 186 rooms involved were greatly influenced by resort guests.
“We listened to our guests, including meeting guests and leisure guests, we directly incorporated their desires and really reflected their wishes in the design,” Ryan Buck, director of sales for Grand Traverse Resort and Spa said.
“Our guests work in their rooms. They need rooms that are functional as well as luxurious. So, after they told us what they need in the rooms, we acted as advocates for our planners. Among the top needs they have are space, light, and great Internet connectivity. Many things are going into this because our guests want to feel their room is cool – a great place with, of course, the unmatched view and all the other great amenities the resort offers.”
The project, which started Feb. 9 and planned for completion by May 31, impacts 16 floors, including hospitality parlors. Pam Neimann, the principal designer at Niemann Interiors, Winter Park, Fla., who is originally from Michigan, is the renovation designer, and National Renovation Contractors (NRC) of Farmington, Mich., is the renovation general contractor.
The exterior of the tower will remain an unchanged skyline landmark and mirror on Northern Michigan because of its stunning glass panels, and the rooms will still present a view previously reserved for someone in a hot air balloon. Redstone Architects, Inc., of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., served as the original architects and the tower celebrated a grand opening in 1986.
“The tower has proven to be a great experience for our guests from distant locations as well as our local community, and we expect the tower to come out of this renovation justified and reborn,” Buck said.
Niemann Interiors is promising what they call relaxed luxury, a palette that puts a contemporary spin on relaxed living.
“They are going to incorporate the gray-brown sunburst pattern of Petoskey stones, for instance,” Buck said.
Rich dark wood finishes will be mixed with weathered wood finishes, while fall colors, creamy whites and pops of blues will be blended serenely together to bring what is outside the glass inside. Buck said it will translate to all four seasons.
“The decor will reflect our culture and the experience of Northern Michigan, from the sand on the beach, the green of the fairways, the fall colors seen on a wine tour, the entire Grand Traverse Resort and Spa experience,” he said.
The renovation work is being completed in as minimally invasive a way as possible for current guests of the 900-acre resort that includes top notch championship golf on three courses, including The Bear designed by legend Jack Nicklaus, indoor and outdoor tennis, a 100,000-square foot health club, full service spa, diverse and elegant dining options, unique shopping experiences, and 86,000 square feet of meeting space.
The resort’s tower is just part of a diverse package of accommodations, which includes condominiums nestled along East Grand Traverse Bay as well as condominiums and private homes along the three golf courses.
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, located just six miles northeast of Traverse City and 10 minutes from Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport, is proudly owned by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, which also owns sister property Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel, literally in sight from the tower.
“On a normal day around here, it’s hard to tell something major is going on,” Buck said. “A lot is going on though, and we want this renovation to serve as a catalyst for sales and further enhance Grand Traverse Resort and Spa as a destination.”
Buck said all is being done with an eye on the future.
“We want to take the resort to the next level of business, keep the great base of Michigan groups and compete stronger for groups and guests with destinations much larger than Traverse City,” he said. “We are unique here. We have the whole pure Northern Michigan atmosphere, but Traverse City in its own way is urban and hip. Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is part of that and we want to continue to be part of that well into the future. This renovation helps us get there. ”
Visit www.grandtraverseresort.com for more information or call 800-236-1577.
*Active media, contact Dave Richards for custom FAM tour opportunities and National Level Photography.
Contact:
Dave Richards, Resort & Golf Marketing, 248-642-6420, dave@resortandgolf.com
J. Michael DeAgostino, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, 231-534-6352, jmdeagostino@gtresort.com
