Grand Rapids' newest lodge

By Nicolette Helling, FOX 21 News

GRAND RAPIDS - Amber Reckinger and her fiance Corey Smith wanted to get married close to home, close to Grand Rapids.

"It's a pretty small town and so we're really used to smaller ideas," said Reckinger. "When this hotel came in it was a big deal."

When they saw the Timberlake Lodge they knew it was the answer to their destination search.

Being the answer is exactly what Mike and Mary Ives sought out to do when they opened the Timberlake Lodge in May of 2008.

"That was kind of our dream, to bring a new option to the Grand Rapids area," said Mary Ives, co-owner of the Timberlake Lodge.

The Ives own other franchise hotels, but the Timberlake Lodge is family run.

They say, creating an up-scale hotel in Grand Rapids should bring more people to the area, benefitting the economy and local businesses.

"When we decided to do this, that was one of the big determining factors," said Burl Ives, general manager of the Timberlake Lodge. "Our community needed that."

And in order to attract those Grand Rapids visitors, the Ives say they went all out.

The rooms have big screen TVs and two-person showers, and the hotel houses an indoor water park with a 98-foot slide and a child-friendly pool.

One of the most popular features of the Timberlake Lodge are the family suites which allow kids to have their own vacation.

These rooms have bunk-beds, bean bag chairs and a big screen TVs.

But in the next room, mom and dad can find sanctuary in their own private space.

"That room has gone over very well," said Burl Ives. "You know if we ever did a remodel job, we'd probably add a couple more of those rooms."

The Ives work with others to promote their community, they've even put together package deals to get visitors to check out other Grand Rapids attractions.

"You know, we're kind of right in the middle of things," said Mike Ives, co-owner of the Timberlake Lodge. "We have a theatre that's next door, Forest History Center and the Judy Garland Children's Museum."

For Amber Reckinger and Corey Smith, the Timberlake Lodge will be a place where memories are made, when they hold their reception here this summer.

They picked this lodge because it had everything they wanted, but they were most impressed with the owners who continue to give back to the community they care about.

"I think that's amazing," said Reckinger. "I think that's probably part of the reason that they do so well is because they really care about what people think.

For more information on the Grand Rapids area, you can visit www.visitgrandrapids.com

For more information on the Timberlake Lodge, you can visit their website, at www.timberlakelodgehotel.com