Grand Rapids, Michigan: Embassy Suites Downtown

April 2019, 1-night, weekend, king balcony riverview #740

We had initially planned to stay at this hotel on April 19th with points after the grand opening. At the last minute, we won tickets to a show at 20 Monore Live, and learned this hotel was opening before the grand opening day with a staycation discounted rate for Facebook followers. We booked that rate, and stayed here the first weekend in April before the grand opening instead.

Looking out of guestroom 740 Embassy Suites Grand Rapids

Diamond perks and check-in

I was able to reserve a balcony riverview room with the promotional rate when I made the reservation. I chose my room when I checked in on the app before we arrived, although the hotel floor plan was not loaded yet, so it was difficult to decide which room to choose. I have included a room diagram photo farther down in this post for reference. The check-in process when we arrived was professional and efficient.

Bedroom and balcony guestroom 740 Embassy Suites Grand Rapids

King balcony riverview guestroom 740

We loved this guestroom! It was comfortable, well insulated, the view was fabulous, and it there are several extra features in the guestroom, and in this hotel.

Nightstand showing features in guestroom 740

Some of the cool features we liked in the guestroom:

Bay City and Mt. Pleasant, Michigan: Riverwalk Trail, Lumber Barons Brewery, Tavern 101, Soaring Eagle Casino...

March 2019, weekdays-weekend

Walking south from the DoubleTree along Saginaw River

Recreation: trails, parks, boating

Bay County Riverwalk Trail runs along both sides of Saginaw River, around Bay City, and as far north as the state park. Future plans include connections to BayZil Rail Trail on the south, and Pere Marquette Rail Trail to the west. I could not find information about when the connections will be completed.

Bay City, Michigan: DoubleTree by Hilton Bay City Riverfront

March 2019, weekend, one-night, king riverview guestroom 602

Diamond perks and check-in

My room had been upgraded to a king riverview guestroom when I checked in on the app, so I chose a guestroom on the top floor. I also received bottled water and breakfast for two. The agent at the front desk said that if I wanted more water, to just let them know.

Sunset view from guestroom 602

King riverview guestroom 602

I chose this guestroom because it is on the top floor at the end of the hall. It is actually a tad smaller than the other guestrooms, because it has a small notch out of the corner, which I had not noticed in the app floor plan. This is easily visible on the guestroom diagram below. Guestroom 630 at the opposite end of the hall looks a tad bigger, so I plan to chose that guestroom, if it is available for our next stay.

Guestroom diagram from back of door

One nice thing about guestroom 602 is that the elevator that goes to the pool area and fitness center is at this end of the hall.

Another view from guestroom 602

Mt. Pleasant, Michigan: Hampton Inn

March 2019, weekday, one-night, king studio guestroom 337

Diamond perks and check-in

This hotel has three diamond member parking spaces near the entrance, and two were available when we arrived. During check-in, the front desk agent offered me an item from the snack choices on the counter. We received an upgrade to a king studio on the top floor at the end of the hall, which is exactly my preference; I had booked a standard king guestroom.

Hampton Inn Mt. Pleasant guestroom 337

King studio 337

This spacious guestroom was clean, comfortable, well-lit, and the sleep quality was excellent. Our only minor disappointment with the guestroom was the small window. When we first entered, and observed drapes covering the entire outside wall, we were excited and expected a large window behind the drapes. The drapes gave the room an inviting feel, which turned to disappointment when we saw the small window. Not really that big of a deal, though--we otherwise absolutely loved this guestroom!

Hampton Inn Mt. Pleasant guestroom 337