Grand Rapids is growing as a business and convention hub in western Michigan, leading to a steady increase in demand for large hotels.

In particular, the downtown area is home to a concentration of large hotels, thanks to the DeVos Place Convention Center, Van Andel Arena, and the demand for medical and pharmaceutical conferences.

Let's take a closer look at the two largest hotels based on size.

The first is the JW Marriott Grand Rapids.

This hotel, which opened in 2007, is located in the heart of downtown on Pearl Street NW and offers views overlooking the Grand River. It has a total of 340 rooms, ranging from standard rooms to suites.

The building stands 26 stories tall, making it a prominent landmark in the Grand Rapids skyline. JW Marriott is a luxury brand of Marriott International, with average room rates exceeding $300 per night during peak season.

In terms of amenities, JW Marriott Grand Rapids features an indoor pool, fitness center, and full-service spa, along with dining options including the Grand River-view restaurant 'Cygnus 27' (located on the 27th floor) and a casual bar & dining area.

The convention and meeting space totals 24,000 square feet (about 2,230㎡), accommodating a variety of setups from small meeting rooms to ballrooms.

It is directly connected to the DeVos Place Convention Center via a skywalk, making it a preferred accommodation for large event attendees.

Parking is available for both self-parking and valet, and the downtown accessibility is excellent.

The second is the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. When talking about Grand Rapids, one cannot overlook Amway, as this hotel is owned and operated by the DeVos family, the founders of Amway. After a major renovation in 1981, it now features a complex structure that connects the historic Panama Building (built in 1913) and a modern tower (built in 1983). It has a total of 682 rooms, making it the hotel with the most rooms in Grand Rapids and one of the largest hotels in western Michigan. Located on Monroe Ave NW, it is within a 5-minute walk to the DeVos Place Convention Center.

The dining options at Amway Grand Plaza Hotel are quite diverse. The fine dining restaurant '1913 Room' is the most formal space in the hotel and has a dress code, while there are also an Italian restaurant 'Ciao', a casual bar 'The Lobby Bar', and a coffee shop. The convention and banquet space totals 60,000 square feet (about 5,570㎡) and includes a ballroom that can accommodate up to 3,500 people, the largest for a single hotel in Grand Rapids. It also features an indoor pool, fitness center, and spa, along with adjacent parking and valet services. Room rates range from $150 to $350 per night during peak season, offering a wider price range than JW Marriott.

Comparing the two hotels, Amway Grand Plaza (682 rooms) is overwhelmingly larger than JW Marriott (340 rooms) in terms of room count. However, in terms of luxury level and modern amenities, JW Marriott receives slightly higher ratings. If considering event and convention connections, Amway Grand Plaza's spacious banquet facilities are advantageous, while for personal travel or business trips, the skywalk connection of JW Marriott is a strong point.

Both hotels operate Marriott Bonvoy or separate point programs, so frequent visitors may want to consider the point accumulation options.

For Korean travelers or business visitors to Grand Rapids, both hotels are located in the heart of downtown, offering excellent transportation convenience. It takes about 15 minutes by car from Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) to either hotel, and the cost for Uber or Lyft is around $15 to $25 one way.

Restaurants, museums, art galleries, bus terminals, and the Amtrak train station in downtown Grand Rapids are all within walking distance, allowing visitors to enjoy downtown without a car.