Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
| Amway Grand Plaza Hotel | |
|---|---|
 The Old Front Door | |
 | |
| Former names | Pantlind Hotel |
| General information | |
| Type | Hotel |
| Location | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Address | 187 Monroe Ave NW |
| Owner | Amway Corporation |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Warren & Wetmore. |
| Renovating team | |
| Architect(s) | Marvin DeWinter & Associates |
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and is named after Amway Corporation, which is based in nearby Ada Township.
Originally known as The Pantlind Hotel (founded in 1913), Amway Grand Plaza Hotel reopened in 1981 after extensive renovations done by Marvin DeWinter & Associates including the addition of a 29 story glass tower. The Pantlind's designers Warren & Wetmore were inspired by the work of the Scottish neoclassical architect Robert Adam; in its prime the hotel was rated as one of the top ten hotels in the US. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has accepted Amway Grand Plaza Hotel to be part of the Historic Hotels of America.
The hotel is owned by Amway Hotel Collection, a subsidiary of Amway's holding company Alticor.[1]
Grand River Promenade
The Grand River Promenade, the official name for the skyway, goes between the DeVos Place Convention Center and the Van Andel Arena. The skyway is on the hotel's second floor as well as the hotel's parking ramp.
Trivia
- In honor of U.S. President Ford, one of the ballrooms in the hotel is named after him.
- Until September 2008, The Rapid ran the Grand Rapids Air Porter - a shuttle between the hotels in downtown Grand Rapids and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. Routes 9 Alpine, Route 11 Plainfield, and two DASH routes stop near the hotel.
- WZZM-TV 13 originally had its studios at the Pantlind until a new facility was built and completed in Walker, Michigan.
- The 1913 Room, which closed in 2011, was the only restaurant in Michigan to be awarded 5 diamonds by the American Automobile Association.[2] That area of the hotel had formerly been a Jacobson's department store[3] and is now a Ruth's Chris Steak House.
- The hotel is prominent in the background in Trees, the third NOOMA film featuring Rob Bell.