Avalon Inn Opens Roman Bath, Prepares to Rebrand

HOWLAND TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Following its most recent renovations, including the long-awaited addition of a Roman bath and several projects still being completed, what is now known as the Avalon Inn and Resort will get a new name to go along with its new look. 

Over the next two to three months, the hospitality property will be rebranded as The Grand Resort, said Ron Klingle, CEO of Avalon Holdings. 

“We’ve added so many different amenities here, it’s no longer an inn,” Klingle said. 

Among those amenities is the recently opened Roman bath, a 20-foot-by-40-foot pool that comes off the lower level of the resort. The outdoor pool, which opened two weeks ago and will be open year-round, will be heated to 90 degrees during the winter months, he said.

Columns at the lower-level entrance to the resort are individually lighted. Each can function individually or in coordination with the others, and is capable of generating 16 million colors.  

“When people see it, they have a hard time believing they’re in Warren, Ohio,” Klingle said.

In all, Avalon Holdings has spent in excess of $25 million to renovate the property since acquiring it five years ago, he noted.

The new water feature is part of an addition that also includes a 140-foot-long outdoor seasonal pool on the upper level of the addition. In all, the resort will have four pools, including the indoor Olympic-size pool. 

Under construction are a new lobby, an additional restaurant on the main level that’s expected to be completed next month, Klingle said. On the lower level, a wine cellar and wine bar with fireplace are being built just off the Roman bath.    

“The hotel has been so busy over the past couple of years we’ve needed a larger lobby,” he said. 

Also being added are a new women’s locker room and a larger salon and spa. 

Members of the Western Reserve Port Authority’s board of directors, on which Klingle serves and for whom he hosted for its monthly meeting Wednesday, echoed Klingle’s enthusiasm for the property. 

“I can’t believe how beautiful it is,” said Sam Covelli, vice chairman of the port authority board and owner/operator of Covelli Enterprises in Warren. “It’s like you’re out of town on vacation when you come here.” 

Covelli, who had dined at the resort Tuesday evening, said he heard patrons at other tables saying they couldn’t believe they were in Warren. 

“You must commend Ron for his vision,” said Richard Edwards, owner of R Ski Ranch, Inc. in Austintown.  

“It’s beautiful,” said board member Kathleen Kennedy, a mortgage loan officer for Home Savings Bank. “I feel like I’m in Vegas.” 

Covelli Enterprises has people stay at the resort when the company brings them in for meetings, and Covelli said he anticipated bringing more business to the hotel. 

Meanwhile, business has increased in recent months, Klingle said. “People have been coming here over the last year and have seen the progress,” he said. “It does make a difference.” 

Pictured: Following the completion of renovations, which included the addition of a Roman bath, the Avalon Inn will rebrand as The Grand Resort, said Avalon Holdings CEO Ron Klingle.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.