The Amway Grand Plaza is hands-down the best hotel I have ever stayed in. The receptionist recommended a room on the Concierge Level, and it was spectacular! We had a corner room, all windows, and we could see the entire city. There's a private lounge on the top floor with a cocktail hour and fabulous continental breakfast (not just a donut and coffee!) The Concierge gave us great suggestions for night life and even made a reservation for dinner for us--very personalized service! We ate at the 1913 Room in the hotel, and there were three servers just for us! By far the best food and dining experience we have ever had. This hotel ranks with some of the finest in the world. A true Grand Rapids treasure! Stay on the Concierge Level and spoil yourself--it's worth it!

It is interesting to see the negative comments on here. I had an excellent time during my stay. I was at a convention, which is in a gorgeous convention center. I believe it is the most convenient hotel to the convention center, but the walk seems to take forever. At least it wasn't outside.

I was lucky enough to stay in the older (I like to think historic) section. I was upgraded to a junior suite which was located on the corner. This room was absolutely amazing and huge, especially since it was just myself in the room. If you can get one of these rooms and you enjoy older hotels, I highly recommend it.

Pros:
My suite and its roominess, turndown service, affordability and great breakfast room service, location, proximity to convention center, beautiful lobby.

Cons:
Noise from my adjoining room neighbor and from a bar outside and across the street.

If you are in Grand Rapids, be sure to visit the Frederik Meijer Gardens. It was spectacular in February and I am sure it is great in the summer too.

An overall above average experience.

The Amway Grand is a typical large city hotel. I stayed in the tower and the room was a bit cramped and stale. I expected a better experience given the price, and the advertising as a four star hotel. So overall a decent place for a business traveler, but lacking for a vacation traveler.

My business and personal travels have taken me to many hotels around the country, but this hotel provided me with the best housekeeping service I have ever experienced. Never before have I been compelled to tip my maid. She was courteous and caring, and kept the room in sparkling condition each day of my 4 day stay.

Every staff member of the hotel was a top-notch professional including each of the wait staff in the various restaurants I went to. The front desk crew and the bellmen were great, too. The great service received by all these people made for a favorably memorable stay.

Other reviewers have mentioned the great rooms and incredible views. Yep, they are all correct. Rooms in the tower are spacious and my riverfront view (w/a view of the Ford Presidential Museum) was nice. Although I don't drink coffee, several of my business colleagues wished their rooms had coffeemakers in them. I was hoping for HBO or other significant movie channel, but none was available. Pay-per-view is available.

I would give the Amway 5 stars however the following items lowered my score to a 4: express check out was problemmatic--although I could check out from my room's TV, I still had to stand in line at the desk to receive a printout of my bill. My bathroom did not have a bathtub, but rather had a shower stall. No coffeemaker (as noted above). Room service indicated my dinner would arrive in 30 minutes and it took 45 minutes. Room service did call, however, to apologize for the delay. The hotel's least expensive coffee shop called Cornucopia was open for breakfast and lunch hours only. The only options remaining were pricey and time intensive (but really delicious).

As an aside, the DeVos Convention Center is a good place for large conventions. It's walkable by skyways and hallways. The Ford Presidential Museum is a well done museum highlighting former President Ford's life and time as Vice President and President. A meaningful segment of the museum is also dedicated to his wife Betty Ford. It takes 5 minutes to walk there, 5 dollars to get in, and about 2 hours to take in the majority of the museum.