If you're looking for a destination for family fun, Grand Rapids, Michigan, may fit the bill. The city is a three-hour drive from Chicago and a half-hour drive to Michigan's western beaches. It's also just 43 miles from one of Michigan's biggest amusement parks, Michigan Adventure and WildWater Adventure. If you prefer to splash around in Grand Rapids proper, two hotels offer indoor water parks, and another offers both indoor and outdoor pools for guests' enjoyment.
Inside the Holiday Inn Express in Grand Rapids is The Big Dip, a 10,000-square-foot, three-story water park featuring a slide with two figure eights. The kids can slip and slide while parents relax in the adjacent hot tub. Entrance to The Big Dip is part of your room rate for up to four registered hotel guests. Additional guests and visitors may purchase wristbands for $20, as of March 2010. You may take your own food and beverages into the water park area. The 100-percent non-smoking hotel features 79 guest rooms and 15 suites. Amenities include free wireless Internet, fitness center, complimentary continental breakfast, meeting rooms and an on-site laundry facility. Rooms have either one or two beds and include coffeemakers, hair dryers, irons and ironing boards, microwaves and refrigerators.
Holiday Inn Express - Grand Rapids South
6569 Clay Ave. SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
616-871-9700
800-875-6000
hiegr.com/HomePage.aspx
The Ramada Plaza Grand Rapids offers guests Castaway Bay, an indoor pool area featuring Splash Tower. This 180-foot water slide rises up three stories inside the hotel. Adults can rejuvenate in the Jacuzzi Hut Tiki Spa while the kids enjoy the slide, pool and game room. The 181 room hotel boasts "larger than average" rooms, two-room suites, deluxe toiletries, fitness center, free wireless Internet and a 24-hour business center. An adjacent restaurant is Old Chicago Pasta & Pizza. There is room service for lunch and dinner. Rooms include standard amenities such as irons and ironing boards, hair dryers, coffeemakers, cable TV with HBO and pay-per-view, and in-room safes.
Ramada Plaza Grand Rapids
3333 28th St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
616-949-9222
ramadaplazagr.com
Although the Crowne Plaza Hotel Grand Rapids - Airport doesn't offer an indoor water park, it is one of only two hotels in Grand Rapids with both an indoor and outdoor pool, according to VisitGrandRapids.org. Renovated in 2009, the hotel offers 320 rooms and suites. Amenities include high-speed Internet access, 24-hour lounge, business center, and fitness center with sauna. The hotel's Crowne Room and Tavern offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Rooms feature cable TV, CD players and coffeemakers. There are microwaves and refrigerators in suites.
Crowne Plaza Hotel Grand Rapids - Airport
5700 E. 28th St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
616-957-1770
ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/grrcp
