Rooted in community

and tradition.

For decades, the Ada Hotel was the vibrant heart of Ada’s social life, standing proudly at the intersection of Ada Drive and Thornapple River Drive until its tragic demise in 1942. Built before 1870, this charming inn featured eight guest rooms, a grand ballroom, and a lively saloon. In its early days, it served rugged loggers, but later became renowned for its fine dining, earning a spot in Duncan Hines' national guide, Adventures in Good Eating, for its famous chicken dinners and homemade pies. 

The hotel was a beloved venue for Thanksgiving and New Year's Balls, as well as weekly dances during the Great Depression and war years, drawing revelers from Grand Rapids and beyond. Even during Prohibition, the hotel, rebranded as the Rainbow Inn, continued to thrive, hosting luncheons and card games, with patrons using tokens instead of cash.