Birch Run, Michigan: Best Western Plus of Birch Run/Frankenmuth

January 2022, weekday, 1-night 

I do not typically stay in Best Western hotels, and after this stay, I am even more convinced to avoid them. Last year, I traveled to a remote city for work. My lodging choices were either Best Western in the area, or I would need to add about two hours drive time to each day, if I wanted to stay in a Hampton Inn or SpringHill Suites (I also checked all the local hotels, including Bed & Breakfasts, Airbnb, etc.). I decided to see if I could get a status match at Best Western, and then I chose that hotel. With the status match and promotions Best Western had last year, I ended up with $75 in lodging credits to use before the end of March 2022. We had a few days with no plans after Christmas, so I looked at all the Best Western hotels in Michigan, to try and see which one looked best. Unfortunately, this hotel turned out to be a poor choice.

Diamond perks and check-in

The front desk agent asked if I wanted a ground floor room, or the top floor. I told her top floor. I had written top floor in my reservation requests, and I assume she had not read that. She said there is no elevator, and we said that was okay. She said something about depositing my 500 points, although she did not actually recognize my status, and she did not offer bottled water. The front desk area smelled musty damp, and I hoped our guestroom would not smell like the check-in area. 

Whirlpool suite 5 in Best Western in Birch Run, Michigan 

King whirlpool suite 5 in Best Western Plus

This guestroom is across the outside drive from the lobby and check-in desk. The employee had said she was putting us in the "tower building," which did not sound like a bad thing. The guestroom was awful, and I would never stay in this hotel again. It was after dark when we arrived, and the room lighting was extremely dim, so everything was not evident when we first arrived. The photo above was taken with every working light in the room turned on. The bed sheets looked clean, the room did not have an odor like the lobby, and it had been snowing a lot, so we settled in to make the best of it.

The bed comfort was okay; however, every pillow on the bed belonged in the trash. I have never slept with such lumpy old pillows in any hotel room--ever. The cover on the bed was thin, and not warm enough for cold winter nights.

Bathroom in whirlpool suite 5 in Best Western in Birch Run, Michigan 

The bathroom was spacious. The toilet is located behind the door on the left. It took a long time for the shower water to get hot, and there were hairs in the shower stall (not observed until the next day). Soap, shampoo, and conditioner were provided.

Whirlpool suite 5 in Best Western in Birch Run, Michigan 

The fireplace did not work well. It made an extreme amount of noise, and it did not give off any heat. The ratty looking chairs in front of the fireplace were okay comfort wise. It was extremely dark where the chairs are located, as well as above the tub.

Desk chair in whirlpool suite 5 in Best Western in Birch Run, Michigan 

Grand Rapids, Michigan: Downtown Dining, Breweries, Happy Hour

December 2021 4-days

Bloody Mary special at Slows Bar-B-Q downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan

We visited Grand Rapids Downtown Market a couple of times this week. The market is less than half a mile from Canopy by Hilton, where we stayed for two nights. Local foods for sale included things like bakery items, seasonings, cheeses, meats, beverages, and more. The market opens at 11 AM, and was fairly busy both days we visited. Although all of the food looked amazing, we did not make any purchases in the market. We had Bloody Mary specials ($6 each!) at Slows Bar-B-Q in the market during one visit. The beverages were made with their own mix, which, unfortunately is not bottled for sale. Slows Bar-B-Q opens at noon.

East West Brewing Company in Eastown Grand Rapids, Michigan
Vegetable Pakoras and beers (below) from East West Brewing Company

We visited Elk Brewing Company (opens 2PM) and East West Brewing Company (opens 3PM) in eastown. This is an easy 4-mile walk roundtrip from Canopy by Hilton, if you do not mind walking. If you prefer public transportation, The Rapid has a couple of stops close to both breweries. Elk Brewing Company is listed in the HopPassport. This brewery honored the half price discount on tier 1 and 2 beers. East West is in The Reel Craft Pass, and they honored the discount on any draft beer. Their food is delicious, although we thought the beers were a bit odd.

Both foods from New Holland Brewing - The Knickerbocker

Grand Rapids, Michigan: Canopy by Hilton Downtown

December 2021, 2-nights between Christmas and New Years

This was another new Hilton hotel for us; our first stay at Canopy by Hilton. Although we had some miss-communication about our perks, overall, this was a fabulous stay. 

Check-in, diamond and AmEx perks

Hilton says they are now allowing diamond members to see available upgrades three days prior to stays; however, my reservation did not show any upgraded rooms to choose from when I looked at the app to check-in the day before our arrival. I called the hotel to ask about checking in beforehand, as I did not want to lose any possible upgrade opportunities. After a brief hold, I was told we had been upgraded to a suite. The agent said our suite would be ready any time after 12:30 PM. 

Umbrella from gift shop in Canopy by Hilton Grand Rapids.

I made this reservation through American Express travel, in order to take advantage of a promo they were offering with a pre-paid rate booked through them. The promo included an on-property credit, which the front desk agent did not mention when we arrived at the hotel. Instead, she told us about all the great places to eat nearby. After I told her we had planned to eat in the hotel, since we had a food and beverage credit, she then briefly mentioned this. When I asked about my diamond breakfast perk, she said I would not receive that in addition to the AmEx credit. The on-property credit we received in the end was generous, so we did not really need the breakfast perk, also. During the stay, however, I was confused about what I was supposed to receive. Three different front desk agents told me three different credit amounts. When I checked out, the manager clearly explained the credit. He then gifted me a Canopy umbrella, since I still had funds left. Nice, I thought! He added that as a diamond member, I would have received a room upgrade, without having to book through AmEx, and also my breakfast credits. We are already thinking about visiting this hotel again on our next overnight stay downtown Grand Rapids.

View from desk in suite 832 Canopy by Hilton Downtown Grand Rapids.

Suite 832

This is an wonderful top floor corner suite! The view is amazing. Unfortunately, we did not get a sunrise or sunset from our room, as the dreary weather did not cooperate. 

View from living room toward bedroom in suite 832 Canopy by Hilton Downtown Grand Rapids.

This suite has a large entry, two bathrooms, a kitchen area, living room, hallway, and bedroom. The main bathroom is huge.

Second bathroom from entry hall in suite 832 Canopy by Hilton Downtown Grand Rapids.

There is a connecting room door to suite 830 in the entry hall across from the second bathroom. This is on the wall to the left, just outside the photo above. I could hear guests in that room through the door, when we were in the entry or second bathroom; however, this was not bothersome, as we could not hear anything when in the living room or bedroom.

Kitchen area in suite 832 Canopy by Hilton Downtown Grand Rapids.

I thought the kitchen area was perfect! It included a Nespresso machine with supplies, stainless steel ice bucket, glasses, ceramic coffee mugs, fresh water decanter, sink, and fridge drawer. There were hooks to hang our coats on the wall across from the kitchen counter.

Nespresso machine and glass water bottle in suite 832 Canopy by Hilton Downtown
Grand Rapids. Ceramic mugs and glasses were in the cupboards above the counter.