What was once the Kensington Court Ann Arbor is about to become The Kensington Hotel on State Street as a multi-million dollar renovation wraps up construction later this month.
The hotel is owned part of the Graham Hotel System, which is owned by an Ann Arbor family that has been in the hospitality business for 50 years. It also owns the Holiday Inn Express next door. Graham Hotel System is investing $4.5 million into the renovation, which will remake the entire building.
"It's a cross between traditional and contemporary design," says Daniel Fine, general manager of
The Kensington Hotel on State Street. That means when guests walk in they will see both a lobby with a grand fireplace sporting a traditional wood mantel and contemporary front desk with quartz counter tops.
The renovation is remaking the 10 ballrooms, corridors, common areas, and 200 hotel rooms of the hotel at 3500 S State St. Among the highlights of the renovation are a significant upgrade in Internet service and cutting edge technology that helps enhance a guest mobile devices in each room. For instance, guests will be able to charge their phone and play music in the room through a bluetooth device installed in each room.
"People can charge their phones and listen to their music at the same time," Fine says.
The hotel's business center and pool were also redone. The restaurant stayed open through the renovation but its menu is being revamped with guidance from
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales. The whole project is expected to wrap up by the end of this month.
Source: Daniel Fine, general manager of The Kensington Hotel on State Street
Writer: Jon Zemke
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