ACME, Mich.—The 900-acre Grand Traverse Resort and Spa near Traverse City, Mich. recently completed renovating all guest rooms in its original six-story hotel and completed several multi-year infrastructure projects.
The renovation of 237 guestrooms in the Hotel included new carpet, bedding, furniture, 37-inch flat screen HD TVs, new telephones, iPod docking stations, installation of digital in-room HVAC controls, plus the addition of fire-suppression sprinklers in all guestrooms and service areas in the building, which opened in 1980 before comprehensive sprinkler systems were required by local codes. In addition, the 21,015-square foot roof of the hotel was re-roofed in a two-phase project with new flashing installed around the roof perimeter.
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa invested heavily in infrastructure and technology in several areas with upgrades that started in 2011 and were completed in 2012. The Resort’s main parking lot for tower and hotel guest parking (432 parking spaces), and the service vehicle parking lot, were completely repaved with asphalt and new concrete curbs, as well as updated traffic routing and pedestrian sidewalks, landscaping, and the addition of a lighted shuttle/bus stop pavilion. The parking lot paving project was completed in two phases.
On the resort’s 17-story tower, approximately 350 glass panels that make up the roof of Aerie Restaurant & Lounge were resealed and a new gutter system was installed on the roof. Also, in-room technology in the 186 tower guestrooms was upgraded with new telephones and flat-screen high definition TVs.
Extensive technology and power upgrades were also put in place. Over three miles of new underground fiber-optic cable lines were installed by COLI, Inc. to the Clubhouse and to six condominium complexes connected by 26 optical switches. Over 250 fusion splices were needed to complete the project around the property to expand bandwidth to improve high speed Wi-Fi Internet access, and add 40 new access points.
Also, the Resort’s cable TV system is being upgraded to allow guests to view up to 65 high definition channels. In addition, Consumers Energy, one of two power providers to the resort, replaced the over 30-year old main power cable to the hotel.
Other significant upgrades in 2011 and 2012 include: The addition of Dylan’s Candy Bar-Candy Café in the Gallery of Shops; renovation of the Business Center/Cyber Café in partnership with NBS Commercial Interiors; purchase of new furniture for the Grand Lobby; installation of a new permanent restroom facility near the outdoor tennis courts and Plaza; and miscellaneous elevator upgrades.
