JW Marriott Hotel

[GRDadof3]

Which way are the "premium views" to you?

I think the views to the east, looking at the rooftops, are actually much more interesting. The panorama of the city is stunning. Looking down on the river isn't that great, because all you see is the brown bottom.

[numstead]

By the way, whose proposal was that? We've seen the HOK one previously. I heard way back that Rafael Vinoly had also submitted a proposal.

[fotoman311]

the architect clearly didn't do his/her research...

...that lower level would be underwater seasonally.

[tamias6]

I like the public spaces in the "what would have been" proposal. But Density wise and height wise, I like the Marriott we see now. As for the "under water comment. I would be incline to agree with it. In spring the lower level would be flooded.

[wingbert]

Most highrises along riverfronts, lakefronts and oceanfronts are oriented so that the building runs perpendicular to the "focal point" so that you maximize views up and down the focal point. 1/2 the current JW faces straight at the river, and you have to look down to see it, and the other 1/2 faces the rooftops of a bunch of buildings. So you have 1/2 the rooms with "premium views" and the other half with not-so-premium views.

[msujdog]

Finally made it inside on Thursday night to take a look. After having drinks at the top of the Amway, the wife and I strolled across the catwalks to the JW. I must admit, I was totally impressed. Very sheek. Felt like I was in a trendy Las Vegas casino. Asked the front desk attendant if there was a restaurant or bar on top, but apparently it's only for guests of the hotel. They actually offered us a tour of one of the hotel suites, and for some reason, I turned them down. Didn't want to inconvienence anyone, but now I'm regretting it.

[Allison Slater]

When I visited I just walked right into the elevator and went to the top, no questions were asked.

[GR Straight Edge]

When I visited I just walked right into the elevator and went to the top, no questions were asked.

[GRJunkie4Life]

Oops / Yikes: JW Flood

[PR-15]

Oops / Yikes: JW Flood

[Allison Slater]

Occupancy is usually very low on Sundays and Mondays and throughout the week. Near the end of the week and weekends occupancy hits nearly full. This whole weekend though occupancy was very low.

[GRDadof3]

Occupancy is usually very low on Sundays and Mondays and throughout the week. Near the end of the week and weekends occupancy hits nearly full. This whole weekend though occupancy was very low.

[Yankee Fan]

Yeah, who goes (comes) to Grand Rapids for Labor Day? No conventions, no beach, no barbecue.

[GRDadof3]

Just wanted to share with everyone that my 10 and 7 year old daughters think that, at night, the JW looks like one of those bug lamps you hang by the patio.

LOL!!!!!

Kids always bring a different perspective to things. Fricken hilarious!

[Kayak1]

I heard that all the showers in the Marriot are leaking and have to be fixed. Anyone know if there is truth to that? If so, who is footing that bill?

[jbr12]

Well I'm sure the building is still under warranty, so something like that would typically fall under the Plumber...

[suydam]

I heard that some teenagers in GR call it the Death Star. It does sort of look like the Death Star, with the color, grid and the canyon running up the side.

[ghostwriter13]

Just wanted to share with everyone that my 10 and 7 year old daughters think that, at night, the JW looks like one of those bug lamps you hang by the patio.

LOL!!!!!

Kids always bring a different perspective to things. Fricken hilarious!

[wingbert]

Teenagers know what the Death Star was? Sweet... I was worried Star Wars might have been lost on the newest generation.

Except that it's not spherical, it's actually finished, it doesn't fly, and it cannot kill you.

But other than that....

[tamias6]

I remember my cousin (now 16, I think) called the Amway the lipstick building.

[Allison Slater]

Too bad they don't turn it green for St. Patty's day, eh? ;p

[fotoman311]

Seems like most people generally like the JW design. However, we can be very thankful that they didn't build a copy of Washington, DC's JW, which is much less inspiring. It does fit more into the surroundings of downtown DC, but that doesn't make it nice to look at.

[MJLO]

I heard one of my sisters friends refer to it as the Giant PS3 which I thought was ironically appropriate

[snoogit]

Yeah, but I was in the JW once and heard this ominous heavy breathing coming up behind me and thought to myself, "Holy smokes! It's Vader!!!" I turned around and it was only Rich DeVos.

[PBJ]

We call it "The Stewie" because it's in the shape of Stewie from The Family Guys head.