Stafford’s Hospitality Announces the Pending Sale of Their Collection of Iconic Hotels and Waterfront Restaurants to Michigan Family

Stafford’s Hospitality announces the pending sale of their collection of iconic hotels and waterfront restaurants to Michigan family

Petoskey, MI November 9, 2023 – Stafford Smith and equity partners, Dudley Marvin, Brian Ewbank, Butch (Christian) Paulsen, David Marvin, and Reginald Smith announce the sale of Stafford’s Hospitality to Jon and Lauren Cotton of Grosse Pointe, MI. “We are proud to have served our guests, our associates and communities of northern Michigan for over 60 years,” stated Stafford, founder of Stafford’s Hospitality. “We are very excited for the future opportunities this transaction presents for our family of associates, our guests and the communities in which our properties are located.”

"As a longtime resident of Michigan, I have dined and stayed in these historic establishments many times, and know what each of them mean not only to our State, but also, to their respective communities," said Mr. Cotton. "We will be dedicated to maintain the legacy of Stafford's Hospitality and committed to retain their employees who have played such a key role in the success of these properties."

Hotel Investment Services (HIS) of Troy, Michigan has been selected to manage this portfolio. "It is a tremendous honor, and responsibility, that we will be standing on the shoulders of one of the great hospitality legacies in Michigan", said Ron Wilson CEO of HIS, "Stafford is an innkeeper's innkeeper who has dedicated his working life to the art of hospitality.”

The Cottons and HIS, along with insight from Stafford's leadership, are in the beginning stages of planning renovations that will be appropriate for each of these historic properties while maintaining the highest level of service for the guests Mr. Cotton has been doing similar renovations since he acquired the Hotel Iroquois on Mackinac Island.

The sale is expected to be completed in early January 2024.

About Stafford’s Hospitality: 

Stafford's Hospitality began when Stafford Smith and his wife Janice purchased the Bay View Inn in Bay View Michigan in 1961. The portfolio has expanded over the decades under Stafford’s leadership with the help of equity partners Dudley Marvin, Brian Ewbank, Butch (Christian) Paulsen, David Marvin, and Reginald Smith, all of whom have been long-term employees. Stafford’s Hospitality properties include: The Bay View Inn in Bay View, The Perry Hotel in Petoskey, The Crooked River Lodge in Alanson, The Pier Restaurant in Harbor Springs, The Weathervane in Charlevoix, The Noggin Room Pub in Petoskey.

About Hotel Investment Services, Inc. (HIS): 

HIS encompasses a diverse portfolio of elegant boutique hotels, award winning resorts, franchised full-service and limited-service hotels, independent hotels, and banquet facilities. The company is an approved operator for Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and IHG hotels. Services include Hotel Management, Design, Development, Sales and Marketing, Revenue Management, Hospitality Consulting, Feasibility Studies and Culinary Consulting.