A Local’s Guide to Accessible Hotels in Grand Rapids

Every year, thousands of visitors and locals enjoy the sights and sounds of Grand Rapids’ robust downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods. 

Grand Rapids and those who own and operate its diverse array of experiences strive to accommodate visitors with special needs so that everyone can enjoy the area and what it can offer. From attractions and restaurants to parks and trails around the city, there are plenty of places for people with disabilities to feel welcome and empowered.

Many of these places have consulted with Disability Advocates of Kent County (DAKC) to make their experiences more inclusive, accessible and engaging for all. DAKC is currently collaborating with Experience Grand Rapids and its 350+ industry partners to develop a comprehensive guide to local accessibility, coming soon to this website. Also in the works is a Grand Rapids page on the online travel booking platform Wheel the World, which is dedicated to making travel accessible for people with all types of disabilities.

Our analysis of local hotels starts with the perspective of people who’ve stayed at them and experienced their accessible features first-hand – like Gabriel Grant, founder and CEO of Care Granted.

Care Granted

Gabriel Grant became quadriplegic at the age of 18 after being severely injured in a car accident in 2009. While he was told he would never walk again, he can now walk short distances but primarily uses a wheelchair. 

Following his accident and recovery, the Grand Rapids native began exploring the meaning of accessibility and what was truly accessible in Grand Rapids – and around the world, as he embarked on international travels.

“I’m hard-headed and don’t use the word ‘can’t,’ but I found certain things were almost impossible for people with different abilities because of a lack of accessibility,” says Grant. “I found the best way to combat this was to work with companies and organizations to better their awareness and education to solve these issues in hopes it would happen less and less.”

Grant’s disability and subsequent experiences led him to create Care Granted, a home healthcare company, in 2016.

Care Granted has provided Grant with opportunities to collaborate with DAKC, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Mel Trotter Ministries and other community pillars to make Grand Rapids as accessible and inclusive as possible. He’s also helped make community art more accessible and inclusive via a partnership with GR’s ArtPrize, the world’s most attended art event.

Grant’s responsibilities with Care Granted have kept him on the move, requiring frequent travel between Phoenix, Arizona, where he resides part-time, and Grand Rapids. So, he is always on the lookout for hotels in Grand Rapids that go above and beyond to provide accessible accommodations. 

Grant stayed in Grand Rapids hotels for a little over 20 weeks over the course of recent year. “During that time, I bounced around to different hotels to see which offered me the best accessibility and experiences,” he says. 

Below you’ll read about six hotels in Grand Rapids that Grant has either personally stayed at or toured that strive to create an accessible and enjoyable experience for all of their guests. 

What makes a hotel accessible?

First, let’s look at some of the features that make a hotel accessible to its guests.

Grant says that bathrooms should ideally include adequate space and convenient toilet/door placement for wheelchair users, along with accessible counter space, and an easily usable shower, such as a roll-in shower.

It’s also ideal for bedrooms to have open concept designs, that accommodate various bed size options, two access points to bedsides, room for equipment storage, and room under the bed for Hoyer Lift storage (used to help transfer a person from a wheelchair to a bed and vice versa).

In terms of amenities, all guests should have equal access to public spaces, like the hotel's pool, gym, parking spots, bars and restaurants, and lobby area.

Also, Grant says it’s certainly a plus when hotel staff is knowledgeable about accessibility features and ready to assist with bags, valet, or self-parking.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Grand Rapids

When arriving at the Embassy Suites Downtown Grand Rapids, Grant says you’re greeted by smiling staff members who are ready to take your luggage and equipment up to your room when you check-in. They’re equally happy to take everything out to your car at check-out.

The hotel offers self-parking for a charge (a parking ramp is attached to the hotel) and an easily accessible lobby area that includes bathrooms for quick use. 

In your accessible room, you’ll find suite-style accommodations with a shared living room and bedroom space with an in-room wet bar that has a sink, microwave, and mini-refrigerator. In the living room, there is plenty of storage for equipment and luggage during your stay, and Hoyer Lift users will have ample space for transfers on each side of the bed in the bedroom.

“The bathrooms have full turn radius for a wheelchair and the showers are large enough for travel shower benches,” Grant explains. “A wheelchair cannot fit under the sink, but the height is perfect and there is enough room to turn your wheelchair to the side to use it.”

As an added perk when you’re hungry, Big E’s Sports Grill is conveniently located on the ground floor of the hotel.

“With an open floor plan, the restaurant has easy access doors with ample space at the bar for wheelchairs, plus seating inside and outdoors,” says Grant. 

With a short elevator ride to the second floor, you can also enjoy hotel amenities, including an exercise room, a pool, and a hot tub featuring accessibility lifts. 

The hotel is located across the street from the beautiful Sixth Street Park, which includes access to the historic Sixth Street Bridge and Grand River Edges Trail, a paved asphalt trail that follows the Grand River into the heart of downtown GR.

Hampton Inn & Suites Grand Rapids Downtown

Hampton Inn & Suites is conveniently located just off of I-196 along the Medical Mile, which begins in downtown GR and stretches a mile or so east.

Grant says that the staff at this hotel enhance the experience of guests with accessibility needs.

“The staff is extremely helpful with individuals with disabilities because they’re knowledgeable about the rooms and the accessibility features included,” says Grant. “The staff will also assist with luggage and food in the morning upon request.”

Speaking of food, free hot breakfast is included in every stay, and the breakfast area is accessible with multiple seating options available. 

The hotel offers large, accessible rooms with open floor plans and both king and double queen bed options. Hampton Inn & Suites also includes amenities like a pool and hot tub (both with accessibility lifts), a fitness center, and a parking structure attached to the building that includes accessible parking spots. 

“All bedsides have two access points for Hoyer Lifts to roll under for easy transfer, and the rooms have ample room for equipment storage,” says Grant. “The bathroom has a full-turn radius, roll-in shower with a bench, large counters with roll-under accessibility, and a toilet that’s accessible from multiple angles.”

There is not a restaurant on-site, but The Omelette Shoppe and Palio Ristorante are a few hundred feet away via level paved sidewalks. Both are wheelchair accessible, as are additional eateries up and down the Medical Mile.

Homewood Suites by Hilton Grand Rapids Downtown

Homewood Suites is centrally located to all the attractions and activities of downtown Grand Rapids.

With a sleek, contemporary interior, the apartment-style rooms in Homewood Suites include lowered beds, light switches, shelf storage, sinks, and toilets. Additionally, you’ll find wider doors, grab bars, braille room numbers, visual alarms, and doorbells and phones with audio/strobe alert capabilities.

The hotel’s pool comes equipped with lifts, and the exercise facility has plenty of equipment available for wheelchair users. A rooftop bar, available only to hotel guests, is easily accessible and offers stunning views of the city. You can also enjoy an evening social on Wednesdays in the lobby area that include complimentary small plate and drink options.

An Ellis parking garage attached to the hotel offers van-accessible parking and elevator access.

Both this hotel and Hyatt Place (see below) are located within a short distance of Rosa Parks Circle, the Grand Rapids Art Museum, DeVos Place Convention Center, and DeVos Performance Hall, where you can enjoy ballet, opera, symphony, touring Broadway shows and other performances. You’ll also have quick access to an array of dining options, including The Chop House, Sundance Bar & Grill, Uccello’s Ristorante and Cinco De Mayo.

Wide sidewalks, accessible curb ramps and curb cuts ease the journey around downtown for wheelchair users. The free DASH bus that circulates throughout the center city is also accessible to wheelchairs.

Hyatt Place Grand Rapids Downtown

Hyatt Place Grand Rapids Downtown is located just one block away from Homewood Suites. 

This 12-story hotel offers city and garden view rooms as well as standard rooms, all of which include a work desk and a “Cozy Corner” with a sofa-sleeper. The accessible rooms include a roll-in shower, king bed, wide doors, lowered switches and other room comfort controls, and plenty of storage. Rooms with two queen beds are also available that include an accessible bathtub.

Hyatt Place is attached to a parking garage with handicap accessible parking available for a nightly charge and includes a pool with lifts, an open-floor-plan exercise facility, and an easy-flow lobby. 

While Hyatt Place is surrounded by plenty of eateries, the hotel offers tasty on-site dining a the The Placery, a lobby restaurant open daily for burgers, sandwiches, salads, a coffee or a nightcap. Right next door, Tupelo Honey serves an all-day menu of Southern comfort with a twist, plus craft beers and cocktails.

JW Marriott Grand Rapids

The JW Marriott’s towering 23-floor blue-glass exterior is a focal point of the Grand Rapids skyline. With 330+ rooms and suites, this downtown hotel offers modern luxury on the banks of downtown’s Grand River.

Grant says the JW Marriott checks off many of the traits that make a hotel accessible, including helpful staff, rooms with accessible entrances, roll-in showers with adjustable-height shower wands, Hoyer Lift accommodations, equipment storage, and open floor plans. The pool, fitness center and spa are accessible, and there is accessible on-site parking.

The hotel’s signature restaurant, Margaux, is conveniently located on the first floor. 

“The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating, and the riverside patio was built with accessibility in mind,” says Grant. “The patio has wonderful views from all accessible seating options.” There are dozens of additional close-by restaurants.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum and Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum are located across the Grand River from the hotel, and can be easily accessed via the historic Blue Bridge, a pedestrian crossing. Rosa Parks Circle and the Grand Rapids Art Museum are just a block or so in the opposite direction. (Insider tip: get Attraction Pass GR for discount admission to these museums and other popular destinations.)

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Grand Rapids North

The lone non-downtown hotel on Grant’s list is less than a 10-minute drive from the center city. Springhill Suites North is nestled behind the AMC Star Grand Rapids 18 movie theater off of Alpine Avenue, which is lined with famous brand-name shops and restaurants.

Grant ticks off an array of accessibility features Springhill Suites guests will enjoy, including a knowledgeable staff, luggage assistance, self-parking, a pool with wheelchair lift access, and a spacious breakfast area and lobby.

Like the other hotels on this list, Springhill Suites happily welcomes service animals on the property and offers hearing accessible rooms and/or kits, TVs with closed-captioning, and an accessible route from the public entrance to accessible guest rooms.

Accessible rooms offer dual bed sizes and multiple access points to the beds for wheelchair users, plus ample storage space for equipment. Bathrooms are large enough for a total turn radius and include a roll-in shower equipped with an adjustable shower wand and grab bars.

“The toilet placement is ideal for self-transfers and caregiver-assisted transfers with a grab bar available for extra assistance,” explains Grant. “The bathroom door is on a hinged swing toward the bedroom door, so it won’t interfere with entering or exiting the bedroom.”

For outdoor lovers, Springhill Suites is a short drive from Riverside Park, which includes an accessible kayak launch as well as a 3.7-mile back-and-out paved trail along the Grand River.

To explore more accessible hotels in Grand Rapids and Kent County, visit our Hotels page and scroll down to click the circles for Accessible Parking, Accessible Restrooms, Automatic Doors and/or Wheelchairs on the left-hand side. (You can also narrow your search by region, rates and amenities such as pools and on-site restaurants.) You’ll get a list of options that meet your criteria.

You can also check out our features on accessible local attractions, parks and trails, performing arts, restaurants and transportation.