However you feel about the Amway Corporation, it’s responsible for saving this historic Grand Rapids hotel.
mistreat into the Pantlind Lobby of theAmway Grand Plazafor the first time and you ’re sure to rent out a dramatic sigh . It ’s near impossible not to . A soaring gilt ceiling — the turgid gold folio installation in the land — dazzle under the light of three massive Czechslovokian crystal chandelier weighing 4,000 pound each . Intricate plasterwork , a copper fountain , art deco touch , and a wooden gold sunburst that originally beautify the ballroom of thePalazzo Moroscinifor over a one C all add to the perfectly overstate luxury of one of the most flowery hotel lobbies in the United States .
This showstopping example of historic computer architecture is passably amazingly site in the midwestern city ofGrand Rapids , Michigan . Originally built in 1913 as the Pantlind Hotel , the building was nominate as one of the 10 finest hotels in America in 1925 . During the heyday of the lumber industry , the hotel — and the city — expand . With the decline of manufacture throughout the Rust Belt during the second half of the 20th century , the hotel lose its patina and many rooms sat empty each evening . resident physician of Grand Rapids flocked to the suburbs , and downtown set out to resemble more of aghost townthan a hub of innovation and business .
In 1979 , an unbelievable helper tread in to doctor the Pantlind Hotel : the Amway Corporation . Owned by two wealthy Grand Rapids clans , the De Vos and Van Andel families , Amway has a storied and complicated history in the US . The multilevel marketing corp has risen and fallen in popularity through the tenner , as the business sector model has beenheavily critiquedin late years . During its peak , though , Amway political party were the place to be . Distributors for the billion - dollar companionship used social selling , often in the material body of house party , to draw in customers and enrol more distributors . Amway continues to thrive today , with century of thousands of distributors worldwide , but it got its start in Grand Rapids .
Photo courtesy of Amway Grand
With the purchase of the Pantlind Hotel , the Amway Corporation made a decision to invest heavily in its local community . While locals have diverse and wide-ranging opinions about Amway as a company , most agree on one level — that its investment economize business district . “ That acquirement , decently then and there , has been attributed to be the spark that started the resurgence of downtown Grand Rapids , ” saysRoss Bartlett , general director of the hotel . He ’s been at the Amway Grand for eight age and has been general manager for three , coming from Arizona Biltmore to invest his skill into this small midwestern metropolis .
In 2015 , AHC Hospitality made the conclusion to joinHilton ’s Curio Collection . “ What that mean is that we are part of this magisterial group of authentic , rightful to their neighborhood , historically independent hotels , ” says Bartlett . Partnering with Hilton earmark the Amway Grand Plaza to drive further awareness of Grand Rapids while also accessing features like Hilton ’s reservation and wages arrangement for Edgar Albert Guest . “ It ’s been a really great partnership for us . ”
With unmarried rooms start around $ 375 , there ’s a range of options in both the historical portion of the hotel and the glass tower . When I visit , I stayed in a king suite leave out the Grand River near the top of the towboat , surrounded by floor - to - cap windowpane that offered a panoramic sentiment of the metropolis . The full tug was remodeled beginning in 2020 , which included replace 6,600 panes of glass and lend 180 tons of reinforce steel . The project be a cool $ 40 million , but this significant investment had a Brobdingnagian impact . The finis in every room are both high ending and understated , lease the unique feature article of each wing of the hotel shine through .
Photo courtesy of Amway Grand
At the angled top of the 29 - story tower sits MDRD , a Spanish tappa eating place point by executive chef Erika Brigham . A tiered level program means every table has a view . Overall , there arenine dining establishmentslocated within the Amway Grand , include intimate chains like Starbucks and Ruth ’s Chris Steakhouse , as well as unique ventures such as MDRD and Rendezvous . An Instagrammable speakeasy , IDC , and a sports streak with duckpin bowling called Woodrow ’s sit securely outside the box when it comes to hotel dining . The property is also connected via glass elevated sidewalks to the neighboringJW Marriott — also possess by AHC Hospitality — for more dining choice .
A riverwalk and bridges with wide pedestrian walkways run along the front of both hotel . This riverfront area bustles into the late evening with bikers , aviate fisherman , and couples out for a stroll . A plotted renovation to the riverfront ’s Lyon Square , just out of doors of the hotel , will convey in an outdoor music and wedding ceremony venue and revitalize the area .
This is all part of a $ 55 million investment by the city to rehab the river , remove dams , and produce more space for recreation , a late dance step in an on-going effort to keep Grand Rapids K . When I walked along the river on a lovesome descent evening during the city ’s annualArtPrizecompetition , nothing about downtown Grand Rapids feel dead or outdated . The shuttered storefront and decaying infrastructure that lure Amway to invest in the city are nearly impossible to guess today .
Photo courtesy of Amway Grand
Bartlett says that for him , his favorite thing about working for the Amway Grand Plaza is the chemical reaction he sees from visitors , be they travelers or locals stopping in for an iconic selfie . “ There ’s always a moment … the great unwashed who ’ve never seen it before or mass who come back , they are constantly taking impression because of its allurement , ” he says . “ It ’s one of the most iconic hotel lobbies in the nation , in my belief . ”
Amway Grand Plaza
Photo courtesy of Amway Grand
Amway Grand Plaza
