Three months ago Chad Buros signed on as director of sales and marketing at Hotel Retlaw in Fond du Lac, Wis. Today he was named general manager of the landmark hotel. It’s a good fit for both Buros and the hotel, given Buros’ ties to the community, his past tenure with the property when it was the Ramada Plaza Hotel, and a resume that spans 30 years of hospitality experience at major resorts in the state. Buros plans to market the newly renovated and beautifully restored hotel, located on the prominent corner of Main and Division Streets, as a classic downtown boutique hotel, historic yet trendy with an inviting atmosphere that holds appeal for residents and visitors alike. For more on the hotel, log on to www.TheHotelRetlaw.com. Reservations are being accepted online and at 833.473.8529.
This 1920s-era property underwent an impressive $30 million rehabilitation, completed last year, still Buros notes the vibe is very approachable. “There is such tremendous potential for this hotel to once again be the community social center where locals gather for dinner and drinks, where couples choose to hold their wedding, and where local companies host business travelers,” said Buros.
He was also quick to pay tribute to the “seasoned and dedicated management staff who are working incredibly hard to rechristen this ‘Fond du Lac’s hotel’ and reintroduce residents, leisure travelers and small corporate groups to this special property.”
His team has already had early successes in developing relationships with local companies, and courting couples who want to host their wedding reception at the hotel with the Crystal Ballroom the picture-perfect venue. In fact, Hotel Retlaw’s on-staff wedding coordinator is busy booking both Fridays and Saturdays well into 2022.
Along with assuming all operational duties at the hotel, Buros now sits on the board of the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership and also looks forward to working with the area’s convention and visitor bureau, Destination Lake Winnebago Region.
Buros spent nearly seven years at the property in the 1990s, helping lead the Retlaw to a “Ramada Hotel of the Year Award” in 1997. His community ties run deep, as he has lived nearly his entire life in the Fond du Lac area and studied at the University of Wisconsin-Fond du Lac.
The hotel is notable for its long list of amenities including Jazzmine’s Brasserie, Lobby Bar, Espresso Café, Quintessence Spa, fitness studio, salon, and outdoor terrace. The eight-story hotel has 121 guestrooms and suites, with an interior design that blends Art Deco flair and neoclassical elements with contemporary conveniences. Hotel Retlaw is also pet-friendly.
About Hotel Retlaw Originally opened in 1923 by owner Walter Schroeder (the name Retlaw is his first name spelled backwards) as one of the finest hotels in all of Wisconsin, this neoclassical property is on the National Register of Historic Places. The distinctive red brick façade offers the first hint at the attention to detail that went into every aspect of the original design, with much of that detail preserved in a 2019 restoration that returned the property to its original intent as the city’s first and finest hotel. The hotel is also part of the Trademark Collection by Wyndham. The website is www.TheRetlawHotel.com.
Reprinted with permission.