Does your pet think he’s top dog? Would he go barking mad if he had to stay cooped up in a cage while you’re off in the Bahamas snorkeling? A new luxury hotel for dogs has a “pawsitively” canine-certified solution for you.
K9 Resorts, a luxury pet hotel chain that is into pampering pups, is opening its first Michigan location in Kentwood. The new resort will take over the former TGI Friday’s building at 3345 28th Street, just a leash-length away from Woodland Mall. Get ready for a stay that’s as swanky as your next vacation—just with more tail wags and fewer sunburns.
Advantage Commercial Real Estate advisors Thomas Vredevelt and Mark Ansara helped facilitate the acquisition, which closed on January 31, 2025.
The 9,300-square-foot building will now undergo a major renovation, with construction expected to begin soon. Kentwood officials gave their unanimous approval for rezoning and granted a Special Land Use permit, clearing the way for the project.
Megan and Mark Ivaska, the owners of this new K9 Resorts location, first began pursuing their dream of opening a luxury pet hotel in the region in late 2023. By early 2024, they partnered with Advantage to land on the Woodland Mall site.
“We needed to be in a retail area within 10-15 minutes of the airport,” said co-owner Mark Ivaska. “It does not get better than being at the corner of 28th Street and the Beltline. It’s hard to believe this property was on the market for nearly five years. Advantage delivered an opportunity and guided us to reach a fantastic deal well below the listing price and within our budget.”
From Wags to Riches?
Founded in 2005, K9 Resorts has earned a reputation for providing unparalleled service in dog boarding and daycare. The brand has won the prestigious Pet Care Excellence award five times from the International Boarding & Pet Services Association.
“It is easy to say we are in the pet care business. While true, our focus is more closely tied to the hospitality industry,” added Mark Ivaska. “We don’t benchmark against others in the boarding space. We benchmark against organizations like Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and even Disney. We want to delight our four-legged guests and wow our clients who entrust members of their families to us.”
What sets K9 Resorts apart from your typical doggy daycare? The facility provides a cage-free environment where canine companions can enjoy group play all day or have one-on-one playtime with a trained staff member. The hotel’s rooms feature soundproofing materials to reduce stress and noise, creating a peaceful retreat for its furry guests.
Every team member at K9 Resorts is trained to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of each dog. Ongoing education keeps staff up to date with the best practices in pet care. The new Kentwood location promises to be a haven for dogs in search of a stay that’s truly worth wagging about.
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