October 1, 2026 — Northern Kentucky’s round 18-story Radisson, known for its revolving rooftop restaurant, is in line for a new owner and a new brand. An investor group plans to buy the hotel, renovate it and reopen it as a Reverb by Hard Rock.
The Radisson Hotel Cincinnati Riverfront, at 668 W. Fifth St. in Covington, Kentucky, is now under contract. Miami-based GenX Capital Partners is leading the deal, and LINK nky reports that GenX is arranging financing for a buyer group that “prefers to remain behind the scenes for now.” The total project cost is put at $27 million.
The 220-room hotel would be converted to Reverb by Hard Rock, the music-themed brand from Hard Rock Hotels. The plan calls for redesigned guest rooms, new places to eat and drink, and events in the ballroom throughout the year. The buyers are also floating boxing events, live music, comedy and open-mic nights. The revolving restaurant on the top floor, Eighteen at the Radisson, will stay, though its concept is still being worked out.
Timeline: the group is aiming to close the purchase by Christmas 2026. Renovation would follow over 7–9 months, done one floor at a time so the hotel can stay partly open. No reopening date under the Reverb name has been announced (TBA). For now, the hotel is still operating as a Radisson.
At a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Property | Radisson Hotel Cincinnati Riverfront |
| Planned brand | Reverb by Hard Rock (Hard Rock Hotels) |
| Buyer | Investor group led by GenX Capital Partners (Miami) |
| Location | 668 W. Fifth St., Covington, Kentucky, USA (across the Ohio River from Cincinnati) |
| What’s happening | Sale, renovation and rebrand |
| Deal closing | Targeted by Christmas 2026 |
| Renovation | 7–9 months after closing, floor by floor, with the hotel partly open |
| Reopening as Reverb | TBA |
| Rooms | 220 |
| Features | 18-story round tower; revolving top-floor restaurant to be kept; ballroom events |
| Nearest airport | Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) |
What it means for airline travelers
- Close to CVG. The hotel is on the Kentucky side of the river, a convenient spot if you are commuting through or laying over at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG).
- Nothing changes yet. The sale has not closed, so it is still a Radisson. Stays booked now through Radisson should go ahead as normal.
- Expect construction in 2027. Renovating floor by floor means the hotel will stay partly open, but noise and fewer amenities are likely during that 7–9 month period. Ask about it when booking 2027 dates.
- Rates. No travel-industry or airline-employee rates have been published for the future Reverb property.
Sources
- LINK nky: Investors eye Covington Radisson for purchase, renovation and rebrand
- Local 12 (WKRC): Iconic Covington hotel, revolving restaurant under contract, transformation planned
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