RG2 Communications, an international public relations and creative agency based in New York City and London, founded by Ross Belfer and Grace Hitchen Hilsley, announces that it has been appointed as the agency of record for Dexter Hotel in Elk Rapids, Michigan. Dexter Hotel account will be overseen by RG2’s newly appointed Senior Vice President, Trish O’Callaghan. 

Dexter Hotel is a 29-key boutique property opened on May 19, 2026, in Northern Michigan, designed as a contemporary reflection of Michigan heritage, regional manufacturing, and mid-century American design. The project reimagines a former apartment-style building into one of the region’s first hotels dedicated to contemporary design rooted in craft, material honesty, and the visual language of the American Midwest.

Created by the former creative director of Shinola and developed by Shore North Development in collaboration with Kinship Hospitality founders Daniel Caudill and Kamron Bijeh-Apple, the hotel centers on regional production and authorship. Interiors emphasize Michigan-made fabrication and a curated mix of contemporary and vintage design that directly references local culture.

Design elements span custom lighting, furniture, wallpaper, and millwork by Daniel Caudill for Kinship Hospitality, produced by Michigan makers, layered with vintage pieces from Pernette’s, Salt & Stone amenities, ClaySpace ceramics, and a signature Kinship scent, creating a fully immersive, purchasable design ecosystem rooted in regional craft.

The Dexter Hotel reflects a collaborative, design-led vision rooted in storytelling and place. Curated lighting and a considered collection of vintage furniture, much of it sourced from local design shop Pernette’s, create an atmosphere that feels collected and intentional, offering both locals and travelers an elevated hospitality experience that captures the spirit of the new Northwest.

Food and beverage is central to the hotel’s identity, with Noble Lounge, designed as a lively, welcoming space for both guests and locals, offering a refined yet approachable expression of regional cuisine that reinforces Dexter Hotel’s role within the local cultural fabric.

“Dexter Hotel represents an exciting evolution of the vibrant cultural and travel experiences found in the idyllic region of northern Michigan,” says Ross Belfer, Founder and Principal. “ We are excited to work hand-in-hand with the hotel’s creative team and usher in a new era of high-touch hospitality in what we anticipate will be one of the most sought-after new destinations across the U.S.” 

The hotel’s repositioning aligns with growing momentum in Northern Michigan, fueled by the expansion of the Traverse City airport (Shore North Development) and increased accessibility from key regional markets including Detroit, while also attracting design-conscious travelers from New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and abroad. Milestone events such as the Traverse City Horse Show, Cars in the Park in downtown Traverse City, the Bay Harbor Vintage Car & Boat Festival, and the 100th National Cherry Festival in July will serve as key cultural anchors and media pegs, positioning Dexter Hotel as a new cultural landmark and a defining force in the future of Northern Michigan hospitality.

Image courtesy of Dexter Hotel