Does your dog give you the side-eye every time you pull out a suitcase? Is that guilt still gnawing at you while you’re poolside, sipping mojitos? It’s time to truly relax—and start booking both your vacations. Because now, your furry best friends can enjoy a five-bone getaway of their own.
Introducing K9 Resorts Grand Rapids—the Ritz-Carlton of dog hotels—opening Saturday, August 23 at 3345 28th St. SE, just a tail wag from Woodland Mall.
Taking over the former TGI Friday’s (yes, really), this 12,000-square-foot canine castle is flipping the script on pet care. With chandeliers, Italian tile, and soundproofing materials originally designed by NASA, this isn’t just a boarding facility—it’s a luxury retreat for your four-legged family member.
Co-owners Megan and Mark Ivaska, who dreamed up this top-dog destination back in 2023, are thrilled to finally open the doors of the first K9 Resorts location in Michigan. And it’s not just a pretty face: the Grand Rapids resort features Kuranda beds, UV air filtration, Microban flooring, and antimicrobial turf—all designed to keep dogs comfortable, healthy, and pampered beyond belief.
“It’s not about kenneling,” said Mark Ivaska. “It’s about hospitality—think Ritz, Four Seasons, even Disney. Our guests just happen to have four legs.”
Need some space? Choose a private luxury suite with a flat-screen TV. Got a social butterfly? Daycare offers full days of group play in cage-free zones, led by trained, dog-loving staff. Your pup will go home tired, happy, and dreaming of their next stay.
From Rescue to Royal Treatment
But the Ivaskas aren’t just rolling out the red carpet for paying guests—they’re opening their doors to those in need. K9 Resorts Grand Rapids will also serve as an emergency foster care partner for local animal rescue organizations, providing short-term stays free of charge for dogs awaiting a forever home.
With room for 70 boarding dogs and 110 daycare pups, and creating 20 new jobs in the community, this isn’t just a win for pets—it’s a big win for Grand Rapids.
So go ahead—book your flight, grab that beach read, and don’t forget to pack the dog’s favorite squeaky toy. Because at K9 Resorts, every dog gets to live their best life… even when you’re out living yours.
Reservations now open at k9resorts.com/grand-rapids. Spots will fill fast—after all, who wouldn’t want to vacation in a place with chandeliers?
