We recently had an opportunity to spend two nights at the Embassy Suites in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We live about 2 hours away, which made it an easy getaway for us. Grand Rapids is a great city to visit because it is a Foodie destination, and is also known for its museums, sports teams, concert venues, and many fantastic breweries.
The Embassy Suites is located in an area that makes getting around easy. Anywhere that we ventured was no more than a 5-10 minute drive or a quick walk around the block. Self-parking is $25 per day in the attached parking garage. It was a convenient and secure option.
When you arrive at the hotel, there is a separate desk for Hilton Honors Members. The Desk Agent welcomed me immediately and thanked me for my loyalty as a Hilton Diamond Member. He provided us with a bag with four bottles of water, reviewed the hotel amenities, and informed us that they are the top Embassy Suites in Michigan. Impressive!
The Lobby is huge and features a central staircase with a waterfall feature. You can find a digital flight schedule display for the GRR airport located on the wall near the staircase. A handy feature if you are traveling by air!
We didn’t have a heavy itinerary for this trip, so we planned to take it slow and enjoy the amenities at the hotel. This Embassy Suites features an indoor pool, a large indoor/outdoor hot tub, and a gym. It also has a Starbucks, a Sports Bar, and offers made-to-order breakfast daily.
We ducked into the pool area early on Saturday and had the whole place to ourselves. I started out in the indoor hot tub before moving outside. The cool morning air was a refreshing contrast to the heat from the hot tub. Afterwards, I did a few laps in the pool and hopped out just as other guests started arriving. Perfect timing!
Upon check-in, we were given vouchers for 2 drinks per person daily between 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm at The Whitewater Lounge. The Lounge has tons of comfy indoor seating and an outdoor area facing the river with high-tops and firepit tables.
We enjoyed snacks and happy hour cocktails in the lounge both nights of our stay. Beer and basic well drinks were complimentary, but you could upgrade to top-shelf liquors and premium beer for a small upcharge. The lounge really hops during this time, but the bartenders moved things along expertly.
Our King Studio Suite was nice and very spacious. Because we spent more time than usual in our room, we really appreciated the extra space. The living room area was equipped with a 55″ flat screen TV and a desk with a chair for people who need to work during their stay. The sofa was a sleeper, so it could have easily been pulled out if we were traveling with kids or an extra guest. The kitchenette included a fridge, microwave, a bar sink, and a Keurig coffee maker.
The separate living room was a nice place to read while my husband took a quick nap in the super comfy King bed. The bed’s four oversized pillows were the perfect firmness for an excellent night’s sleep. The room also had a balcony with 2 chairs that faced the river. The door offered a sheer privacy curtain and heavy blackout curtains, depending on your preference.
The bathroom was spotlessly clean, with decent lighting and plenty of counter space. The shower offered both a rain showerhead and an adjustable handheld sprayer. This room had plenty of mirror options with a full-length mirror just outside the bathroom, a vanity mirror, and a large mirror in the kitchenette. The closet was typical with extra bedding and ironing equipment. Sadly, no fluffy robes.
Since it was a dreary weekend, the evening view from our 5th-floor balcony was much better than the day view. The lights reflecting on the river were pretty.
My Honest Review
We thought the hotel location was great. It was perfect for walking to some local spots for a bite to eat and an easy 5-10 minute drive to the other places we visited in town. Although self-parking was $25 per night, it was easy to use and felt very secure.
Our room was comfy and spacious, with everything we needed for a relaxing stay. We enjoyed Happy Hour at the Lounge and the omelette station, which was included with our complimentary breakfast. I feel like the Embassy Suites is a great value.
The rates for our King Studio Suite (not accessible) would have run $419. We booked our stay for a very low amount of Hilton points and used the $50 Hilton credit on our Hilton Surpass card to cover the parking cost. It was a super affordable stay, with complimentary cocktails and breakfast, which meant more money for our Foodie Finds and other local experiences. Our experience at the Embassy Suites Grand Rapids exceeded my expectations. We will definitely stay there the next time we visit Grand Rapids.
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