BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Dan Murph is the owner of The Kentucky Grand Hotel and Spa. COVID-19 put a financial burden on him and his business, but it also afforded him the time to re-brand. 

The hotel portion of the building was able to stay open thanks to government financial assistance while the restaurant portion closed down. Murph said that time off allowed him to brainstorm with multiple ideas. 

“We decided during COVID that we had a lot of free time on our hands, and we did a one over on our entire building from the suites, to the back parking lot, to the restaurant space," said Murph. "People won't even recognize the rooms. We used the time to redecorate and remodel and make it more efficient.”

Murph said his involvement in the business was at an all-time high due to the hiatus — an opportunity he normally isn't afforded. The hotel added a patio space for guests as well as a brand-new restaurant menu to go along with other changes. 

“During COVID, I jumped in and probably worked harder on this business then I ever had before," said Murph. "Just because there was so many opportunities to reopen and reinvent that a business owner doesn't get to do.” 

The hotel officially reopened on June 11, and Murph and his staff are taking it day by day, getting back into the flow of day-to-day operations.

“Our first week back was last week, and we were slammed," said Murph. "A lot of it is getting new employees back into it as well."