Grand Rapids, Michigan is slated to join an exclusive club.  This month, Grand Rapids, Michigan will be the first city in the Midwest  and one of only 37 cities in the entire world to become home to a JW Marriott Luxury Hotel!

We've watched the structure rise up for a couple years.  Starting as a giant hole in the ground, the gleaming tower of the New JW Marriott has emerged as a shining reflection of the future envisioned for the city.  The Marriott flagship luxury brand hotel along the Grand River is scheduled to open in Grand Rapids, Michigan on the 19th of September, 2007. 

The impact of this hotel extends its reach far beyond the soaring towering 24 story edifice.  In fact, it is the culmination of a friendship between two of the city's best known citizens, Jay Van Andel and Richard M DeVos; a business partnership extraordinaire which created and energized the growth and dominance of the Amway/Alticor corporation.  Although Jay Van Andel did not live to see the final completion of this project, it was the last venture that he embarked on with his longtime childhood friend. 

My first experience with the Amway luxury 4 Star hotel, the first project coordinated by Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel, was in the early 1990's.  My husband and I were given the gift of a dinner at the exquisite 1913 Room and also had the opportunity to stay at the flagship Amway Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Everything about the experience was first class and it has remained one of my favorite hotels.  So when the founders decided to build another hotel, the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan was excited to have this excellent opportunity.  The New JW Marriott will provide much needed hotel accommodations (300 rooms)  to support the convention business anticipated from the 250,000 square feet, world class DeVos Convention Center.

The hotel's decor, accessories and dining experiences will be flavored with the unique accents that make the West Michigan community a memorable place to visit.  Some of this delicious fare can be experienced in the six. one.six...the hotel's signature restaurant named with a creative play on the telephone area code for Grand Rapids. Award winning chef, John State who is a native of Michigan from St. Joseph will be plating up local delicacies with a twist.  His extensive career includes an epicurean tour of Europe and a decade long stint where he opened and managed the Flying Fish Cafe at Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida.

JW Marriott will be the most expensive piece of real estate per night in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area!   Single room rates will start at $229 and suites will be available for $339.  To dwell in the lap of luxury in the Founder's Suite on the 23rd floor, you'll have to fork out a cool $2,500 for the night!   

The location of the hotel provides proximity to a number of excellent downtown attractions and restaurants including the nearby Amway hotel with several first class dining spots and boutique stores.  As Grand Rapids kicks up it's heels to showcase it's new stylish self...the JW Marriott is well suited for a city that sees its reflection in the mirror of the future and is starting to feel like it's looking good...real good!

Copyright 2007 Audu Real Estate  All Rights Reserved

 Click Here to Read More about Grand Rapids, Michigan

photo courtesy of numstead on flickr.com

*Blog Correction/update: 9/7/07 - Jay Van Andel passed away on December 4, 2004.