A Luxury Travel Guide to Grand Rapids

Amway Grand Plaza Hotel

A member of Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest historic hotels across America, the Amway Grand Plaza’s legacy of luxury stretches back to 1913 and the opening of the Pantlind Hotel. Within a decade, the Pantlind was ranked “One of the 10 Finest Hotels in America,” thanks to its impeccable service and such special details as one of the world’s largest gold-leaf ceilings and two of the world’s most stunning chandeliers.

In 1981, the Pantlind was rechristened the Amway Grand Plaza and work began to add a soaring 29-story glass tower to the hotel complex. The tower was completed in 1983, seamlessly blending the old and new, and offering guests a choice of lavish accommodation experiences.

For a classic look and feel, choose a Plaza Luxury Suite. These two-room suites are located in the historic Pantlind wing of the hotel and feature Art Deco touches to harmonize with the Pantlind’s opulent “le style modern” lobby (which still features the original gold-leaf ceiling and Austrian-crystal chandeliers). Plaza Luxury Suites offer a king bedroom and a separate parlor room featuring an extra half bathroom and as seating area with views of the city.

If contemporary is more your comfort zone, book a Tower Luxury Suite in the Amway’s magnificently modern glass tower. Along with appropriately sumptuous amenities, each room offers a sweeping 270˚ view of both the Grand River and downtown Grand Rapids.

Amway guests enjoy easy access to the hotel’s eight on-site restaurants and bars, four upscale shops, one of the city’s best spas, rooftop pickleball and a duckpin bowling alley. Guests can also stroll a climate-controlled skywalk to visit the city’s largest sports and entertainment arena, its finest performing arts venue, a state-of-the-art convention and event center, and two additional hotels.

JW Marriott Grand Rapids

Immerse yourself in modern luxury and mindful living at downtown GR’s JW Marriott. Opened in 2007, the hotel soon ranked #1 in guest satisfaction scores across all JW Marriot properties in North America – a feat it achieved three times in its first decade of service.

The JW’s luxury suites are outfitted with contemporary décor, plush bedding, marble bathrooms, oversized tubs and other unique features. Select rooms offer views of the Grand River or downtown GR. Corner rooms offer a panoramic Grand River view. Some bookings include access to an exclusive Executive Lounge serving delicious food and drink.

The hotel also features three public restaurants/bars, including the Jdek, an outdoor space overlooking the Grand River. Get revitalized on the dedicated Wellness Floor, unwind at Seraphina Spa, stay active in the fitness center, and relax in the indoor pool and steam rooms. More than a place to stay, the JW Marriott GR is a place to restore, inspire, relax and indulge.

The JW Marriott is also part of downtown GR’s skywalk network.

Bowdie’s Chophouse

Bowdie’s Chophouse serves impeccably prepared prime cuts of beef along with a selection of seafood and poultry in the Gaslight Village district of East Grand Rapids, about 15 minutes from downtown GR. Combining high-class dining with rustic elegance, Bowdie’s is a true upscale steakhouse experience complete with a wow-worthy cocktail offering.

The Chop House

This plush downtown steakhouse invites guests to experience “consummately satisfying fine dining” with perfectly prepared prime beef (and pork, poultry, seafood and shellfish), decadent desserts, impeccable service and spirited cocktails. The Chop House features USDA Prime beef, the finest grain-fed Midwestern meats and exceptional premium wines.

Grove

This premium restaurant in Uptown Grand Rapids, about 7 minutes or so from downtown, serves an ever-evolving menu of farm-to-table fare and a progressive and exciting assortment of wines from across the globe. Grove is a six-time winner of Grand Rapids Magazine’s Restaurant of the Year award.

Leo’s Seafood Restaurant & Bar

Consistently voted GR’s best seafood restaurant for its exquisite seafood dishes, classic cuisine, decadent desserts, world-class wine list and sophisticated setting, Leo’s has been a downtown fixture since 2004. The handsome, high-ceilinged venue includes both a sophisticated dining room setting and a more casual (but still upscale) bar and lounge.

MDRD

Named America’s 2^nd Best New Restaurant in 2022 by USA Today, MDRD – pronounced “Madrid” – is a AAA-designated 4-Diamond restaurant nestled on the 27^th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. You’ll revel in the rhythm of Madrid as you savor modern Spanish cuisine, including expressive entrées, tantalizing shareables, decadent desserts and lavish libations. The views of the city are as captivating as the dining experience.

Also in the Amway, Ruth’s Chris Steak House offers a classic steak-and-seafood experience, including steaks that are hand-selected from the top 2% of the country’s beef.

Mertens Prime

Located in the historic 1914 New Hotel Mertens lobby in downtown GR, Mertens Prime offers locally sourced, in-house hand-cut steaks, chops and unique takes on classics. The French-inspired menu includes tableside presentations such as chateaubriand, a weekly curated rolling cheese cart, an extensive wine and spirits selection, and delectable desserts ranging from bananas foster to creme brulée. Mertens Rooftop, a seasonal venue atop the building, offers elevated eats and libations along with stunning city views.

Noto’s Old World Italian Dining

The Noto family has been serving up fine, authentic Italian dining since 1982, in a casually elegant space 10 minutes from Gerald R. Ford International Airport. For a truly special evening, reserve a chef’s table experience in the Wine Cellar, where you’ll absorb all the action from the cellar kitchen and the chef will introduce and explain each course to you. You’ll also enjoy access to the restaurant’s selection of 1,400+ wines – for which Noto’s has received “Best Awards of Excellence” from Wine Spectator every year since 2006.

Scholar

Offering a retro American dining experience accompanied by exceptional service, Scholar spans three floors of a historic downtown building. The vibe is elevated but not stuffy, with a cozy aesthetic that puts diners at ease. Entrées range from lamb, salmon, steak and scallops to a classic cheeseburger and veggie mac, the wine list is expertly curated and the cocktail selection emphasizes the classics.

Click here for more restaurant options.

Celeste Salon & Spa

Located inside downtown GR’s Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Celeste Salon & Spa is a state-of-the-art facility including a hair salon, nail salon, five treatment rooms, a steam room in the men’s locker room, dry sauna in the women’s locker room, hot tub whirlpool, and indoor and outdoor relaxation spaces – including private and shared balconies overlooking the Grand River.

Celeste’s comprehensive services include hair care, facials, massages and body treatments. You do not have to be a guest of the hotel to book salon and spa treatments!

Ethos Day Spa

An eco-luxury salon and spa in Ada, about 15 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids, Ethos Day Spa offers a variety of luxurious body treatments and salon services along with such amenities as a steam room, infrared sauna, cold plunge tubs, an outdoor hot tub and fire pit, and men’s, women’s and co-ed lounges.

Seraphina Spa

Downtown’s JW Marriott Hotel is the site of Seraphina Spa, which offers thoughtful, holistic care in a beautifully modern spa setting. A variety of body treatments, massages, facials and nail care services are designed to give guests time to exhale and the opportunity to heal from the stresses of everyday life.

Seraphina is located on the “Wellness Floor” of the hotel (floor 3), which also includes an indoor pool and fitness center, a steam room and cozy relaxation pods. You don’t have to be a hotel guest, anyone can book spa services here.

Explore more local spas here, and check out these ideas for a health-focused spa & wellness trip to Grand Rapids.

AK Rikk’s

A.K. Rikk’s is a contemporary fashion destination specializing in men’s and women’s designer clothing, shoes, accessories and home décor. The shopping experience is unrivaled and includes lifestyle amenities such as a personal shopping suite, refreshment bar, in-house tailor shop, children’s play haven and a made-to-measure men’s suit room. It’s in southeast Grand Rapids, about 20 minutes from downtown GR.

F. David Barney, Clothiers

A men’s clothing store for the discerning gentleman, F. David Barney offers high-quality clothing and fabrics from around the world, with an emphasis on timeless, tailored styles. Services include custom-made suits, sportscoats, dress shirts, sports shirts and dress slacks, all made from scratch. The shop is located in downtown Grand Rapids.

RC Caylan Atelier

Named “Best Fashion Designer” at the 2024 Global Beauty Awards, RC Caylan creates custom red-carpeted designs for more than 100 celebrities from his namesake Grand Rapids studio. RC Caylan Atelier also offers a ready-to-wear collection of one-of-a-kind designs plus fashion accessories to complement your luxury look, from earrings to handbags to his own branded sunglasses.

RC Caylan Atelier is located in the Breton Village Shopping Center, which also hosts such premium brands as Design Within Reach, Leigh’s Designer Clothing for Women, Fitzgerald’s Men’s Store, Orvis and Warby Parker.

Shinola

Detroit-based lifestyle brand Shinola produces beautiful, enduring handcrafted watches, leather goods, clocks, jewelry, home goods and bicycles, all available in their downtown Grand Rapids shop. There is also a Shinola outlet store in Tanger Outlet Mall, 15 minutes from downtown GR.

You’ll find many more distinctive shopping options here.

Charter Fishing & Boating

Grand Rapids is just 30-45 minutes from the vast waters of Lake Michigan, which is rich with sports fishing and scenic beauty. Grand Haven’s Sea Flea Charters, Holland’s Charter Michigan, Muskegon’s Silver Seekers Guide Service and Saugatuck’s Big Lake Outfitters are happy to bring anglers of all skill levels to the best fishing spots on the Big Lake. Orvis-endorsed fly-fishing outfitter Werkman Outfitters offers both fly and light tackle trips for steelhead, salmon, northern pike, and smallmouth and largemouth bass on the Grand River in downtown GR.

Private pleasure cruises are also available through Muskegon’s Aquastar Cruises and Saugatuck’s Sailing Saugatuck (on a two-masted tall ship), Star of Saugatuck paddlewheel boat and Yacht Boat Charters. These are typically reserved for larger groups, such as bachelor/ette parties and wedding and rehearsal dinners.

Helicopter Rides

Take in the vibrant fall colors on a 15-mile helicopter tour over Sparta, a quaint village 30 minutes from Grand Rapids. Located on The Fruit Ridge, one of America’s premier fruit-growing regions, downtown Sparta is surrounded by lush canopy of mature trees. Or take a 35-mile helicopter flight over downtown Grand Rapids to experience the best of both worlds – stunning fall foliage and our ever-expanding city skyline. Both excursions are available from Oct. 4-27, 2024, through MyFlight Tours, which also offers custom experiences.

Limousine Service

Grand Rapids boasts a variety of public transit options, but you can choose a private chauffer service for the ultimate in comfort and convenience. A White Knight Limousine, Executive Coach Service, Express Executive Cars and Five Star Sedan & Limousine Service employ highly trained drivers and premium vehicles to take you wherever you want to go, whenever you want to – whether it’s from the airport to your hotel (and back again) or anywhere else around town.

Acrisure Lounge at Van Andel Arena

Downtown GR’s Van Andel Arena hosts the nation’s hottest touring concerts, entertainment shows and sporting events. Ticketholders can purchase access to the Acrisure Lounge to avoid long lines and take a private entrance into the venue. Open 30 minutes before the general admission doors, guests enjoy the chic lounge space, private bar access (one drink is included with your ticket), appetizers and more. Note: the Lounge is not open during Grand Rapids Gold (basketball), Grand Rapids Griffins (hockey) and Grand Rapids Rise (volleyball) games.

Christkindl Markt

The Christkindl Markt is a European-style outdoor Christmas village erected on the grounds of the Grand Rapids Downtown Market during the holiday season. (It runs from Nov. 15-23 in 2024.) Visitors can shop 60+ artisan and food vendors, sip on wintry beverages from collectible mugs and steins, and enjoy festive lights, décor and entertainment.

For a truly magical experience, reserve a private Alpenglobe for up to eight people. You’ll be surrounded with 360˚of holiday delight, complete with a dedicated attendant for pre-ordered food and beverage options, two built-in heaters, and a Bluetooth- compatible speaker to create your own ambience. You can come and as you please from your private globe for the entirety of your three-hour booking.

You can also reserve time on a 38-foot synthetic curling sheet at the Markt. This winter sport, traditionally played on ice, pits two teams against each other in a battle to get their “stones” closest to a target known a house. Recommended for groups up to eight.