These 2 Grand Rapids Hotels Get Design, Dining, and Wellness Right — and They’re Only a Skywalk Apart

Both the Amway Grand Plaza and the JW Marriott have relaxing wellness facilities and deliver refreshing views of the Grand River. Either is a great choice for your next trip to Grand Rapids, but if my experience is anything to go by, the two properties are even better in concert — a combo you can easily enjoy during your stay thanks to a skywalk that makes getting between the hotels effortless any time of year.

Left: JW Marriott room. Right: Pantlind Lobby. Photos: Allison McClain Merrill

There are 331 rooms and eight suites at the JW Marriott. My renovated cityview room included a king-size bed, sitting area, desk, and en-suite bathroom with marble floors, a rainwater shower, and a big bathtub for soaking. I loved the blue and white wallpaper above the tub because it made me think of waves — or rapids. Waking up to a Michigan sunrise was a great way to start the day here.

I also toured accommodations nearby at Amway Grand Plaza, which has 656 guest rooms and 44 suites. This property began in 1868 as Sweet’s Hotel. Its four stories were razed when J. Boyd Pantlind acquired the property; Pantlind Hotel began construction in 1913 and opened in 1916. The Pantlind lobby today features a striking gilded sunburst that held court in a Venetian palace for 150 years. In 1979, the Amway Corporation acquired the Pantlind, which was restored and renamed the Amway Grand Plaza. A 29-story Glass Tower added an entire wing to the hotel and a modern flourish to the city’s skyline. Together, the two hotels reflect how Grand Rapids blends old and new — a balance that extends beyond their walls.

That harmony was on full display during my visit, which coincided with Grand Rapids’ annual international art competition, ArtPrize, where Grand Rapids is transformed into an open-air art gallery. Some pieces filled the halls and lobbies of the JW Marriott and the Amway Grand Plaza. My favorite art installation was a short walk from the JW Marriott.

Tom Gifford constructed his piece, “Mighty Michigan,” with driftwood mostly from Muskegon Lake. Gifford wrote in his artist statement that the piece is “a replica of the Mackinaw Bridge.” The front felt like a blue wave rising from the lake, framing an orangey sun made of sea glass. Gifford placed elusive Petoskey stones in the scene and used water and steam for “a fountain show.” The back of the piece is a giant driftwood Mitten set against blue-painted wood.

“Mighty Michigan” was a good theme for the whole trip. ArtPrize contestants brought their creations to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum (less than 10 minutes from the hotels on foot), the Grand Rapids Art Museum (less than five minutes from the hotels on foot), and the city’s cool vintage shopping district. To keep the artistic energy flowing any time of the year, check out the NIDO – The Urban Nest, Cocoon Art Space, and The August Connection — all nearby one another and within a 20-minute walk from the hotels.

MDRD. Photo: AHC Hospitality

Amway Grand Plaza has enough dining options (nine) that you’d never have to leave the property on a snowy day if you didn’t want to. I recommend MDRD (pronounced “Madrid”) on the hotel’s 27th floor. The glass-enclosed dining space and open floorplan lent luxury to an already unforgettable meal. Our server, Brenna, guided us through plentiful appetizers like wild boar empanadas and cold-smoked salmon puffs. The paella flavored with black garlic toum (a Middle Eastern sauce) was a real treat. For a dessert that doubles as a work of art, order the árbol de frambuesa, which means raspberry tree.

Our group was served hors d’oeuvres another night at the Lumber Baron, a bar with dark wood, library vibes, and cozy corners for conversation. Plentiful bruschetta paired well with a Merry Lavender mocktail.

One hidden gem (literally) at Amway Grand Plaza is the speakeasy IDC, I Don’t Care. This year-round, exclusive spot has a covered balcony. I took in the bustling Saturday scene and sipped my Sugar and Spice mocktail (apple cider, vanilla pear syrup, lemon, bitters, ginger beer), which is also on the menu at the JW Marriott’s Margaux.

French bistro Margaux serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and it was my first dining experience in Grand Rapids. The scallops with fennel jam, kohlrabi slaw, pickled pistachio, burnt carrot, and sauce normande were so fresh. For breakfast, I tried the avocado toast on multigrain bread, the Western Michigan omelet, and the fruit and berry plate with Greek yogurt and local honey. All of them were delicious — and I take my avocado toast seriously. Margaux’s velvet touches, teal and gold notes, and ample seating made for a comfy but sophisticated time.

Photo: AHC Hospitality

With the JW Marriott and Amway Grand Plaza, Grand Rapids is becoming a wellness hotspot. Each property has an indoor pool, fitness center, and spa services.

I had the good fortune of arriving at the JW Marriott the same day that a new infrared sauna did. Sweating it out while reading a book felt so good. Right next to the sauna is a steam room that pumps out eucalyptus. Serafina Spa is a sleekly designed space offering massages and facials. All in all, the wellness floor became my favorite part of the hotel.

Over at Amway Grand Plaza, I had a healthy dose of movement with my first-ever pickleball lesson on the rooftop courts. Surprisingly, I wasn’t awful! I’d recommend booking a facial at the hotel’s Celeste Salon & Spa. My esthetician talked through the products she used and shared personalized skincare tips. Spa guests can use the pool, hot tub, and fitness center.

It’s soothing to know that in the dead of winter, all these amenities are only 2.5 hours from my home in the Detroit area (and that the handy skywalk connecting the properties is climate-controlled).

Photos: AHC Hospitality

Though much of my trip centered around the experiences and amenities available to guests and visitors at the JW Marriott and Amway Grand Plaza, I was really looking forward to seeing the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on this trip, too — and for good reason.

The campus is 158 acres, so a tram ride is a good introduction to the sculptures on the property (including works by Rodin and Degas). Don’t miss The American Horse (1999) by Nina Akamu. The massive, 24-foot bronze sculpture is a recreation of one that Leonardo da Vinci crafted for the Duke of Milan. There’s an eight-foot version and a tactile miniature horse (15 inches) nearby.

What I enjoy most about the Meijer Gardens is the site’s year-round availability. On a gorgeous fall day, mums exploded with color. I walked to the Japanese garden and spent time with the bonsai trees. In the spring, I want to come back for the cherry blossoms.

Meijer Gardens’ winter ENLIGHTEN show will run from November 24 to January 3, adding some razzle dazzle to those cold nights. Stay warm in the 15,000 square-foot Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory, where you can smell fresh allspice and appreciate numerous palm tree varieties. Visit cacti in an arid garden and lively plants in the carnivorous plant house.

Photo: Allison McClain Merrill

Grand Rapids has its own airport, one of the nicest I’ve ever seen. I flew nonstop from Detroit, but I also could have driven and arrived in about 2.5 hours. The JW Marriott and Amway Grand Plaza are about a 20-minute drive from the airport. I experienced some traffic getting into the city on a weekday afternoon.

Elsewhere in Grand Rapids, I’d recommend checking out the Grand Rapids Downtown Market for a quick lunch and local shopping. This area is about a five-minute drive (20-minute walk) from the hotels. Rák Thai is an awesome sit-down spot inside the market, and those fun vintage shops are nearby.

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