About The Finnley
A Different Kind of Hotel Stay
The Finnley was created from a love of downtown Grand Rapids and a belief that a small hotel can leave a big impression.
Named for the owner’s daughter, The Finnley brings together original design, vintage character and the freedom of a contactless stay. We created five distinctive rooms for guests who want to be part of downtown life without feeling like they are staying in a conventional hotel.
Come for a concert, a celebration, a meeting or simply a change of scenery. Downtown is waiting just outside your door.
Brad started his career in real estate reinvesting back into Grand Rapids. He was always on the look out for interesting properties that he could bring back to life.
In 2005, Brad chose to concentrate his work specifically in downtown Grand Rapids. There wasn’t much downtown at that time but it felt like growth was around the corner and those feelings couldn’t have been more on point. Grand Rapids has grown into a vibrant downtown destination with a thriving arts, culture, dining and entertainment scene. The city is full of bustling breweries and a thriving arts and culture scene. Downtown is the place to be when visiting this midwestern city and it has so much to offer.
Brad followed his intuition, bought a downtown condo, and started brokering real estate deals at some of the larger condominium projects like Union Square Condos and Boardwalk Condos. He then decided to start his own brokerage, Urban Soil Realty, in 2014 to expand his services to residential and commercial sales and leasing as well as downtown development.
“My wife and daughter believe in me and what I do. When I bought 65 Monroe Center I did not have plans for the building. I started figuring out what the best use was and decided on a hotel. I knew I had to call it The Finnley (after my daughter). Having them being part of the design and creation was fun for all of us. I hope that owning a place downtown makes Finnley proud, gets her involved in the downtown area, and ignites her future career, as downtown did for me.”
— Brad Veneklase
Brad and his family are excited to share this exquisitely designed space with native Grand Rapidians, frequent Grand Rapids travelers, and those that are experiencing downtown for the first time.
We hope your stay is as exciting, enriching, and pleasurable as the love and care we’ve put into bringing The Finnley to life. Thank you for taking the time to experience everything Grand Rapids has to offer!
If you're looking for an event space or another option in Grand Rapids, check out our sister property,
The BlueJay Hotel & Events, located in the Bridge Street Entertainment District.
How does check-in work?
The Finnley offers contactless self check-in. Arrival and access instructions are sent before your stay, allowing
you to go directly to your room without visiting a front desk.
Does each room have a private bathroom?
Yes. Every Boutique King Room has its own private full bathroom.
How many guests can stay in a room?
Each room is designed for up to two guests and includes one king bed.
Is parking included?
The Monroe Center Ramp is directly across the street at 37 Ionia Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. It is a max of $24
per day. Hourly ramp parking and metered street parking is also available.
Is The Finnley close to downtown venues?
Yes. The hotel is centrally located on Monroe Center, within walking distance of Van Andel Arena, GLC Live
at 20 Monroe, DeVos Place, DeVos Performance Hall, Rosa Parks Circle and the Grand Rapids Art Museum.
Does the hotel have a front-desk?
The Finnley is designed as an independent, contactless hotel experience and does not operate like a traditional front-desk hotel. Guest support can be reached 24/7 at 616-622-2110.
