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National park-inspired boutique hotel officially opens

Krys Merryman //September 15, 2022//

National park-inspired boutique hotel officially opens

Krys Merryman //September 15, 2022//

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The Grand Bohemian begain booking rooms about a month ago, but opened Thursday with ceremony. (Photo/Ross Norton)After nearly eight years and about $100 million, The Grand Bohemian Lodge initiated its official opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday. The lodge is the first of its kind for developer The Kessler Collection.

Grand Bohemians are part of the Marriott Bonvoy Autograph Collection, specifically the Kessler Portfolio. From start to finish, it has been nearly eight years since Richard Kessler, chairman and CEO of The Kessler Enterprise, first saw the site with Greenville Mayor Knox White.

“It’s already created a lot of excitement for the business and social club scene in Greenville as a social center. This is something new to Greenville that could not be replicated,” said Mark Kessler, president and chief operating officer of Kessler Collection Design and Development. He said the Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville was a large investment and not something they did as an investment to flip but for longevity, expecting to be the managers and owners of this location for years to come.

Richard Kessler mingles at the hotel he designed on an airline napkin before Thursday's ceremony. (Photo/Ross Norton)The lodge is a beautiful destination right on the Reedy River, whether you are a guest in the hotel or dining guest or want to read a book on the porch overlooking the river, said Kessler.

With 187 luxury guest rooms, the lodge also features the Poseidon Spa, Between The Trees contemporary cuisine restaurant, and bourbon bar Spirit & Bower.

“This location is something truly special that not many people have ever experienced before, and a destination unmatched, especially for South Carolina residents,” said Kessler. “You will not even feel like you’re in downtown Greenville.”

With Grand Bohemians popping up in other major Southeast cities such as Asheville, Charlotte, and Charleston, the Kesslers and Mayor White believe this social center will bring new businesses and travelers who have never been to or thought about Greenville before.

“We see that everywhere we go,” said Kessler. “We create these as a social destination, even if you do not stay or dine with us. We have created something truly unique and inspiring.”

The lodge’s design was inspired by national parks such as Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone, and Kessler said every part of its design was a “labor of love, passion and authenticity that will stand the test of time.”

Founded by Richard Kessler in 1984, the Kessler Collection is a hospitality brand that develops, owns and manages luxury boutique hotels, restaurants and retail. The Kessler Collection features 12 hotels and resorts, and 28 restaurants and lounges, each of which reflect Richard Kessler’s passion for music, art, architecture and history.

Read more details and see more photos in the next edition of GSA Business Report.

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