Tuesday, March 06, 2012WARREN, Ohio – The landmark Avalon Inn has been rebranded as the Magnuson Grand Hotel and Conference Center, with its local ownership – John Kouvas -- remaining but daily operations now managed by CWB Property Management of Dublin. The announcement was made Monday.
The rebranding and new management company will elevate the former Avalon’s “local, regional and national market position” and provide for “revitalization within the property,” said Connie Burkett, vice president of operations at CWB Property Management, in a prepared statement. “While improving the facilities, we will continue our focus on service and overall guest experience. Magnuson Hotels will allow us flexibility while preserving the local character that a large national branded company may infringe on.”
Magnuson Hotels, founded nine years ago in the United Kingdom describes itself as “the fastest growing hotel chain in history, representing nearly 2,000 U.K. and North American hotels with assets in excess of $5.5 billion."
As a Magnuson affiliate, the hotel will receive complete brand representation across North America and the UK, without the costs and requirements of franchise brand affiliation, according to the announcement.
“We are extremely delighted with the hotel’s location, right between Pittsburgh and Cleveland. We are proud to welcome owner John Kouvas and his entire staff, and are fully committed to increasing their property visibility and reservations,” stated Thomas Magnuson, CEO.
The Avalon opened in 1970 as a 90-room country inn. A $2.2 million addition was completed in 1986, adding 54 rooms, and a $750,000 renovation followed in 2002. Kouvas purchased the hotel in 2003
The Magnuson Grand Hotel Warren, a 100% non-smoking facility, will continue to offer a full hot breakfast, complimentary wireless internet, room service provided by The Chophouse Restaurant, free airport shuttle service, fitness facilities, meeting space to accommodate up to 400 people, a business center, and recreational facilities, the company said.
“We are so excited to join the Magnuson Grand Family while carrying the heart and history of the Avalon Inn with us into the future,” said Cindy Boren, general manager of the hotel.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.