AHC+Hospitality appointed Ryan Schmied as GM of the AC Hotel Grand Rapids, opening spring 2019 in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. Schmied will oversee day-to-day operations, specialty programming and beverage and food operations of the 130-room lifestyle hotel.
“As a well-traveled level two sommelier with longstanding roots in the hospitality industry, extensive knowledge of European culture, wine and spirits, Schmied is the ideal candidate to establish the AC Hotel brand in an emerging market,” Rick Winn, president of AHC+Hospitality, said in a statement. “We’re excited for the rare and unique opportunity to open a hotel with a general manager whose personality and passions seamlessly align with the AC Hotel guest.”
Born in Miami and raised in an international household with family in the hospitality industry, Schmied’s experience transcends his 13 years in the workforce. Starting as a doorman after high school, Schmied held various operational roles at the JW Marriott Hotel Miami before transitioning to operations manager on the opening team at Hotel Beaux Arts Miami. Schmied most recently served as beverage director at Miami-based Whisk Gourmet Food & Catering.
“As the first and only hotel of its kind in Grand Rapids, my goal is to position the AC Hotel as a cultural hub rich with experiences and events unique to the destination,” Schmied said in a statement. “From hosting local musicians at wine and beer tastings to ping pong tournaments, this exclusive, curated programming calendar will solidify the hotel as the ultimate pre- and post-event destination for guests and locals.”
A graduate of Florida International University, Schmied received a degree in hospitality administration/management while simultaneously gaining experience at JW Marriott Hotel Miami and Hotel Beaux Arts Miami.
The 130-room AC Hotel Grand Rapids is an adaptive reuse conversion of a historic 127-year-old warehouse. Located near the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Convention Center, the converted hotel will offer tapas-style dining and a beverage program inspired by the AC Hotel brand’s Spanish roots.