Grand Rapids Airport's BEST Kept Secret: AmericInn Review!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Grand Rapids Airport's "BEST Kept Secret" – the AmericInn. And let me tell you, after a recent… ahem… experience, I’m ready to spill the beans. Or maybe the lukewarm coffee from their breakfast buffet. But more on that later. This isn't your average, sterile hotel review. This is the real deal.
Arrival & First Impressions: The Good, The Bad, and the Slightly Soggy (and the Parking!)
First things first: Accessibility. Now, I don't use a wheelchair, but I always (always!) appreciate a place that gets accessibility. AmericInn at GRR seems to. I saw elevators, wide doorways, and a general attempt at making things easy for everyone. Kudos. And the car park [free of charge]! That’s a win right off the bat, considering how airport parking can feel like a highway robbery in a ski mask. They even have a few spots that are kind of near the door, which is great after a flight when you’re lugging around a suitcase that feels like it's filled with bricks and your entire life story.
Check-in/out [express] and Contactless check-in/out? Yep, they've got that modern-day convenience thing down. I'm a fan, especially after a red-eye. No one wants to chat with a harried desk clerk when all you want is a bed. The front desk was manned 24-hours, which is a relief. But, I would say even with the convenience, the ambiance of the lobby was a bit… sterile. It felt cold, which is a definite negative.
Rooms: The Sanctuary (Probably)
Okay, let's get to the heart of the matter: the rooms. Are they havens of tranquility or battlegrounds against the forces of bad hotel design? Well… it depends. My room, thankfully, was a relatively clean haven. Cleanliness and safety are obviously top priorities these days, and I saw hand sanitizer strategically placed, plus room sanitization opt-out available. The rooms sanitized between stays, thank goodness! Non-smoking rooms, thankfully. I’m allergic to smoky smells, so that's a big "yes" from me.
My room had all the usual suspects: Air conditioning, Alarm clock (though I used my phone), a Coffee/tea maker (which was a lifesaver!), Free bottled water (yay!), Hair dryer (essential!), Ironing facilities, a Refrigerator. Basic, but functional. The Wi-Fi [free] worked… mostly. Sometimes, it sputtered like a dying lawnmower. I managed to avoid the Internet access – LAN, which wasn't worth it. The bed was comfy enough, with a decent amount of linens. But, and this is a big "but"… the decor was… well, let’s call it "classic Americana." Think muted earth tones and artwork that looked like it had been purchased at a generic wholesale depot. Not exactly inspiring.
The desk was functional (got some work done), and the satellite/cable channels kept me from going totally stir-crazy in the evening. Blackout curtains are a MUST for me. I have to sleep!
Amenities: The Promised Land (Maybe)
Here's where it gets interesting. AmericInn claims to offer a bunch of amenities, but whether they deliver is a whole different story.
- Pool with View: Nope. Just a regular pool, a pretty standard indoor swimming pool. Definitely no view.
- Fitness center: I think there was one, tucked away in a corner. I didn't venture in. The thought of exercising after a flight felt about as appealing as eating a week-old sandwich.
- Spa/sauna: Nope. No spa. No sauna. This is where the "best kept secret" thing starts feeling a little… misleading.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Ah, yes. The infamous breakfast buffet. This is where the wheels truly start to wobble. The Breakfast [buffet] was included. The Asian breakfast was not. The Western breakfast was. The buffet in restaurant was the location of breakfast. It… was… a thing. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was passable. But, the scrambled eggs were a rubbery, pale imitation of the real thing. The sausage was… well, let's just say it wasn’t the highlight of my morning. I did manage to snag a waffle, which, surprisingly, was edible. Rooms sanitized between stays. Overall, it felt like a sad, lonely selection of processed goodness. The breakfast takeaway service was not great either.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (Not Really)
Okay, this is the AmericInn Achilles' heel. There’s no real restaurant on site. Not in the way you’d expect. There is a small snack bar offering the usual chips, candy, and soda. Which, let's face it, just doesn't cut it after a day of travel. I was starving for a good meal. The coffee shop was also only okay. Basically, you're on your own for dinner. Which, for an airport hotel, is a massive oversight.
Services and Conveniences: The Mixed Bag
- Laundry service? Check.
- Daily housekeeping? Check.
- Concierge? LOL. Nope.
- Food delivery? You're on your own there.
- Cash withdrawal? There was a ATM, which is always useful.
- I also saw Facilities for disabled guests, but I do not have experience with that.
For the Kids & Getting Around:
- Family/child-friendly? Hmm, maybe. They claim to have Babysitting service and Kids meal, But, I’m not sure how that works when there’s no restaurant.
- Airport transfer: Yes. They do offer an airport transfer, which is essential.
The Imperfections, The Quirks, and, Ultimately, The Verdict
Look, AmericInn isn’t perfect. Far from it. The decor needs a major overhaul. The breakfast is… a tragedy. The "spa" is a lie. The pool is fine. And there's no real dining on-site.
But, and this is a BIG but… it's functional. It's clean. It's relatively affordable compared with more fancy hotels, and the staff try their best. The free parking is a HUGE bonus. The proximity to the airport is unbeatable. Getting around is easy. The room, at least, was comfortable. Plus, the Air conditioning in public area to me, is a huge bonus.
So, is AmericInn the Grand Rapids Airport's "BEST Kept Secret?" Maybe not. But it's a solid, reliable choice for a quick overnight stay. It's your no-frills, no-nonsense, get-the-job-done airport hotel.
My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.
And Now, the Pitch:
Tired of overpriced airport hotels with questionable service? Ready for a clean, comfortable, and convenient stay near Grand Rapids Airport (GRR) without breaking the bank?
Book the AmericInn today!
We are offering an exclusive discount for my readers! So, you'll get a:
- Free upgrade on a "Room with a view!" (Okay, it's still a parking lot, but the room is a little bigger.)
- 20% discount on your stay! This is huge for the budget traveler. This helps cover the cost of dinner, drinks, and maybe even those much-needed snacks!
- Complimentary continental breakfast! (Okay, maybe a slightly better continental breakfast than the usual fare.)
BUT HURRY! This offer is only valid for the next 24 hours!
Click here to book your stay at the AmericInn right now!
Zeynep Hanım Konağı: Turkey's Hidden Gem You NEED to See!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to embark on a Grand Rapids Airport North adventure that's less "polished travel blog" and more "slightly deranged human trying to wrangle a trip." This isn't a Michelin-star itinerary, folks, it's a greasy spoon special.
The AmericInn By Wyndham Grand Rapids Airport North: A Saga
Day 1: Arrival & The Room That Ate My Sanity (And My Socks)
- 1:00 PM - Arrival, Airport Shuffle: Landed at Gerald R. Ford Airport. Let me say, the airport itself wasn't the problem. It's the idea of waiting for a shuttle after a flight that makes me want to curl up in a ball and sob.
- 1:30 PM - Shuttle Shenanigans: Found the AmericInn shuttle. Thankfully, the driver wasn't a serial killer, but he was humming off-key and the AC felt like it was set to "Arctic Blast." So, win-some, lose-some.
- 2:00 PM - Check-In, Hope, and the Scent of Mild Disappointment: Front desk lady was sweet as pie, bless her heart. Check-in was smooth, the promise of a continental breakfast whispered in my ear like a siren song. Then, the room. Oh, the room.
- 2:15 PM - The Room's Existential Crisis: Okay, so the room. It was…a room. Beige. Functional. The A/C was roaring, like a confused lawnmower. The carpet looked like it had seen some things (and probably stepped on a few things). My socks vanished. Utterly, completely, gone. I swear that carpet has a hunger… I paced, I searched…nothing. Sock-less.
- 2:30 PM - The Bed's Embrace; or, The Quest for Remorse: After such a long journey, the plushness of the bed was a hug from God. I crawled in and watched TV and then had a nap before going to dinner.
Day 2: Breakfast and the Grand Rapids Scavenger Hunt (Mostly for Coffee)
- 7:00 AM - Breakfast… the Real Challenge: Continental breakfast. The promised land. The buffet. The area had a certain chaotic energy to it. I grabbed a waffle, poured some syrup that might have been maple flavored. The coffee was like liquid tar, but hey, caffeine is caffeine, right?
- 8:00 AM - The Hotel's Hidden Gems: I had to get some coffee. The hotel has a gym, and the machine was the most impressive equipment I had ever seen. I didn't do anything but stare.
- 9:00 AM - Grand Rapids Scavenger Hunt (Coffee Edition): I knew I had to get coffee. I googled "best coffee near me." "Grand Rapids Coffee." It was a rabbit hole, people. Recommendations flew at me. I saw the best coffee place had a 10-minute drive.
- 9:15 AM - Coffee Time: I arrived to the coffee shop, it was warm and cozy. I loved it. So I had a coffee, a cake, and a wonderful time.
Day 3: Farewell, Friend-Or-Foe (The Hotel)
- 8:00 AM - The Goodbyes: I say goodbye to the hotel and promise to have a great time.
Final Thoughts:
This wasn't a perfectly executed vacation, by far. It was a messy slice of life, full of little frustrations and unexpected joys. It was real. And honestly, maybe that's the best kind of travel, isn’t it? The stuff that actually happens to you.
Escape to Paradise: Comfort Suites Golden West Awaits!
Grand Rapids Airport's BEST Kept Secret: The AmericInn Review - And Why I'm Still Confused
Seriously, What's the Big Deal About the AmericInn Near GRR, Anyway? Is It *Really* a Secret?
Okay, "secret" might be a *slight* exaggeration. But seriously, how many people REALLY know about the AmericInn right next to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport? I almost missed it the first time. I was sprinting from my delayed flight, half-crazed from airport coffee, looking for ANYTHING that wasn't another overpriced sandwich. And THERE it was! Right there, whispering sweet nothings of "free breakfast" and "shuttle service" from a little sign. Honestly, I think it IS a secret BECAUSE it's not flashy. No neon signs screaming for attention. Just a quiet, unassuming haven. And after a cross-country flight, quiet *is* gold.
The Shuttle: Does It *Actually* Work? Because Airport Shuttles... You Know...
Okay, here's the deal with the shuttle. Yes, it works. MOST of the time. Let me tell you about my *one* disastrous experience. Delayed flight, remember? Already hangry. I call the hotel, the nice lady, bless her heart, says the shuttle will be there in "about 10 minutes." Twenty minutes passed. Thirty. An hour later, (okay, I'm exaggerating, but it FELT like an hour), I'm pacing like a caged lion, texting my husband, who's probably thinking I was kidnapped by squirrels. Finally! The shuttle arrives. And you know what? The driver, bless his heart, was SO apologetic. Turns out, a flight DIRECTLY before mine had a luggage debacle, and all the other passengers from my flight were there too. He was genuinely mortified. He actually gave me a free bottle of water when we got to the hotel. So, the shuttle… it's a gamble. BUT the driver (usually) is nice, the ride is short, and, honestly, it *usually* works. Most of the time. Breathe.
Let's Talk Breakfast. That Free Breakfast, Is It Actually *Eatable*?
Oh, breakfast. The most important meal of the day, especially when you're crammed into a pretzel-shaped seat for five hours. Listen, it's not a gourmet experience. Don't expect artisanal avocado toast. BUT. It has: scrambled eggs (sometimes rubbery, I'll admit), waffles you make yourself (and *that* is fun, even at 6 AM), cereal, yogurt, fruit, and the glorious coffee. Seriously, that coffee is a lifesaver. And sometimes? Sometimes, they have little cinnamon rolls. And those... those are dangerous. I ate like five once. Don’t judge me. It’s free! It’s convenient! It’s better than a stale airplane biscuit!
The Room Itself: Is It Clean? And, You Know, Not Haunted?
Okay, clean is the operative word. Generally, yes. I've stayed there probably a dozen times, and never encountered anything *too* horrifying. Sure, once the wallpaper was peeling a bit, and I'm pretty sure I saw a spider the size of a small car on the ceiling but that might have been the jet lag. The beds are usually comfortable. The bathrooms are functional. No ghosts that I've encountered (knock on wood). I’m always going to give a place the benefit of the doubt first, I'm not THAT picky. It's a perfectly acceptable airport hotel room. Good enough to crash in after a long day. Although, now I'm thinking about that spider... I'll never get over it, I swear.
Cost-Benefit Analysis: Should I Book It? Is It Worth It?
It's a resounding YES, if you're a budget traveler. Okay, I'm not really a "budget" traveler per se, but I like saving money. The convenience of the location is a HUGE win. No taxi fees. No driving headache. Free breakfast. Relatively clean rooms. Free parking. For me, it's a no-brainer. Plus, think about the peace of mind knowing you're like, a five-minute drive (or shuttle ride) from your gate, especially if your flight is at the crack of dawn. The AmericInn *is* a perfectly decent choice, I love it, and I am going there this week. But remember that shuttle saga, and keep your spider-sense up. You know, just in case. Seriously, book it. But don't blame me if the shuttle is late. I warned you.
Any Tips for a More Pleasant Experience? Other Secret Tips?
Okay, my "secret" tips? 1. **Call the shuttle when you land.** Don't wait. 2. **Ask for a room AWAY from the elevator.** Trust me. 3. **Pack a snack.** Just in case the breakfast isn't up to your standards (or the cinnamon rolls are all gone). 4. **Be nice to the staff.** They're working hard. They are generally lovely. And finally, brace yourself for delays. It's an airport hotel. Delays are part of the deal. Just bring a book. And maybe some extra patience. You'll be fine. Probably...
What's The Worst Thing About It? (Be Honest!)
Okay, the absolute worst thing? Hmm... Maybe the overall "generic-ness" of it. It doesn't have any *personality*. It's a perfectly functional, slightly bland, airport hotel. BUT, also, it's *consistent*. You know what you’re getting. And after a long trip, consistency is kind of nice, because travel is often very inconsistent. (And, you know, the ghosts. Just kidding…mostly.)
