Pickleball Magazine 7-5 | Page 32

travel

Premier Pickleball Destinations
By Laura Gainor
Amway Grand Plaza

The great northern state of “ Pure Michigan ” is making a name for itself within the pickleball scene , most notably through the Amway Grand Plaza , Curio Collection by Hilton located in Grand Rapids , Michigan . If you and your family are looking for a pristine resort space nestled amongst the bustling city limits of Grand Rapids , look no further : the Amway Grand Plaza is the destination for you !

Originally built in 1913 , the Amway Grand Plaza is in the heart of Downtown Grand Rapids , within walking distance of DeVos Convention Center and a quick drive to and from the Gerald R . Ford International Airport . There is also Lake Michigan with fishing and boating opportunities a mere 25 miles away .
The hotel ’ s capacity for guests nearly reaches the sky ’ s limit , with 682 total guest rooms in all . Each is expertly furnished with luxury bedding , salon-tier bath products in each bathroom , 50-inch flatscreen TVs , high-speed internet access throughout the premises , and daily cleaning services to ensure a comfortable and clean stay for each guest .
Known as one of the finest hotels in America , the Amway Grand Plaza ’ s stunning guest rooms are complemented by luxury amenities that keep travelers always going back for more . The hotel provides a variety of health and fitness services for guests to enjoy , from a fully functioning fitness center equipped with all levels of weight training equipment and a sprawling
indoor pool featuring two hot tubs , to pickleball courts ( of course !), a spa and more .
The rooftop pickleball courts are key to making your trip to Grand Rapids an unforgettable experience ! Just recently unveiled at the beginning of summer , the four pickleball courts on the fourth floor of the hotel provide players with picturesque and panoramic views of the city ’ s historic downtown Hotel District . Fittingly , the courts are open to both the public ( for a small fee ) and hotel guests .
In addition to numerous fitness offerings , the dining scene at Amway Grand Plaza is not to be missed . Guests are greeted with a variety of dining options to accommodate either a luxurious stay in one of Michigan ’ s finest hotels or a busy travel schedule packed tight with deadlines . The hotel boasts a signature sitdown Spanish-inspired restaurant , MDRD , or enjoy dinner at Ruth ’ s Chris Steak House or The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck . If you ’ re looking for an excuse to kick back and relax after a jam-packed travel day , the hotel hosts a speakeasy-style cocktail bar ( IDC ) and multiple bars for friends to enjoy a premium cocktail , beer , or fine wine .
If you are looking for a northern vacation full of pickleball , great dining , and luxurious accommodations , look no further than the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids , Michigan ! For more information , visit amwaygrand . com . •
30 TO SUBSCRIBE , CALL 412.914.8294 OR GO TO PICKLEBALLMAGAZINE . COM