Family purchases GrandStay Hotel in Waunakee

A family of hoteliers has purchased the only such business in Waunakee and are looking forward to bringing their personal touch as hosts.

And, they plan to put down roots in the community as they operate the GrandStay Hotel & Suites at Hwy. 19 and Raemisch Road.

Jaymin Patel, GrandStay’s general manger, said his family has owned hotels in Illinois since 2012. GrandStay is the fourth hotel they’ve purchased, along with a Super 8 in Eau Claire. They also own photos in Rockford and Peru, Illinois, along with Chippewa Falls and Baldwin, Wisconsin. Patel said when he saw the Waunakee hotel was for sale, he saw an opportunity in a community he felt would be good to move to.

The previous owners had made several renovations to GrandStay, with new flooring, furniture and a renovated breakfast area.

Patel said he is still working on the landscaping and “deep cleaning all the rooms and the hotel inside out.”

A certified hotel manager for Wyndham Suites, Patel said this is the first lodging they’ve owned with a bridal suite. GrandStay also has a swimming pool. The main focus for him and his wife Nicky will be improving the hotel’s reputation, he said.

They also see Waunakee as a place to raise their children and say they like the community.

All of the hotels his family owns are operated by them, and they provide personal attention, he said.

“That way you can do more with the hotel and personally engage more with staff and guests,” Patel said.

Patel said he and his wife visited several hotels for sale, but his wife was sold on GrandStay.

“She said, ‘You can look at all the hotels you want but we are buying this one,’” he added.

Patel said work is currently underway on the website for guests seeking to make reservations. They can also call (855) 455-7829.