COVINGTON, Ky. — One northern Kentucky hotel is receiving accolades as one of the best in the state, and even in the country. Hotel Covington’s history, its ties to the local community and plans for expansion are keys to the reputation it’s gaining, according to management.
Hotel Covington opened in September 2016, but the history of the building at 638 Madison Avenue goes back way further. Built in 1907, Coppin’s Department Store was once a shopping staple here in northern Kentucky.
“It was open for about 70 years until the urban sprawl happened. Suburban malls kind of put it out of business, and then it stayed empty for quite some time,” said Hotel Covington General Manager Justin Ham. “So, a lot of rich history with that. And you’ll see throughout the building that there’s a lot of classic references to vintage touches, the architecture, that we wanted to keep intact with that.”
Perhaps that’s one reason the hotel has garnered widespread recognition as one of the best places to stay.
U.S. News and World Report ranked it the number one hotel in all of Kentucky, and number 201 in the whole country, in its 2022 Best Hotel Ratings in the United States, which are based on an analysis of industry awards, hotel star ratings and user ratings.
TripAdvisor went as high as the 13th best hotel in the country in its 2021 Best of the Best U.S. list.
The accolades aren’t all based on department store throwbacks, though. Ham said the hotel, which is considered an independent boutique property, can curate a unique experience for each guest. It also hosts many weddings and other events, with almost 10,000 square feet of meeting space.
“We have a great, well-designed space that provides them something that they’ve never seen before,” Ham said. “Because we know travel is changing, especially in the last three years. And we have the ability to customize our offerings, and tailor that experience.”
The hotel features 114 rooms, six room types, and three types of suites. Room rates on Tuesday ranged from $189 to $304.
They detail all rooms with items from local vendors. Standard Textile made the sheets and towels in Cincinnati.
Rooms also include the Volo Hospitality Systems in-room tablet concierge, which can order food or browse local attractions.
Ham has been with the hotel since the beginning, becoming general manager a year and a half ago.
“Covington is such a great city. I’m originally from here as well. So we’re very passionate about being hyper local in regard to our suppliers and any of our purveyors,” he said
It’s that tie to the community that also sets the hotel apart, Ham said. Hotel Covington is one of many recent developments popping up downtown, going back to 2016.
“To be a part of downtown Covington and this renaissance that’s happening, we truly believe we’re a big catalyst for a lot of that change,” Ham said.
The bar on the main level of the hotel features trained mixologists shaking up seasonal craft cocktails. That and Coppin’s, the 120-seat restaurant named after the hotel’s predecessor, add to the Hotel Covington’s allure, but can also stand on their own, said Director of Food and Beverage Megan Dillon.
“It’s not just a restaurant for hotel guests. It’s also a place for the community to gather,” she said.
As for what’s next, since renovating one old building seemed to work out pretty well, Hotel Covington is now doing the same with the old YMCA building just down the sidewalk, which was built in 1910.
North by Hotel Covington will connect to the original, and feature 53 new suites and a 500 person ballroom.
The expansion will open in October. It will expand the hotel’s footprint from 7th Street on Madison Avenue to East Pike Street.