Holiday Inn Grand Rapids - South by IHG

We booked a short Friday and Saturday weekend trip for my sister, her two kids, her husband, and me. The kids, especially my nieces, loved the pools and waterfalls. We had two very clean rooms and excellent service. The front desk women were kind and attentive, whether they were bringing a crib to a room or putting drinks on our tab. They even turned on the lights in the main dining area when we brought dinner back to the hotel. Housekeeping was very nice, too. We included breakfast in the booking, and it was tasty and plentiful. The check-in staff were friendly, the service attentive, and everything felt like excellent value for a staycation. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a little weekend retreat.

The room was clean, and the bed was comfortable, but I wouldn’t stay here again. The pool area was very run down, outdated, and dirty. The water looked rusty and felt uncomfortably cold. The floors were covered with fingernails and bandages, and it was so loud that we had to yell to hear each other. The advertised bar was closed because of staffing issues, something they should mention on the website. At breakfast, only one employee was restocking food, and no one was clearing tables between guests. The breakfast options were just okay, and we were given flimsy paper plates.

The man at the front desk was amazing, really kind and helpful. The hotel entry looks redone, and the rooms were good. But we booked for the pool and waterpark, and that area was very run down. The buckets don’t work because there’s a rusted hole near the bottom of the pole. I’m shocked some kid hasn’t been cut on it. There were rust stains and yellowing everywhere, and the paint was faded or chipping. Stairs from the pool lead to an area that’s now storage but used to have seating and an arcade. The stair carpet is coming apart, and the upstairs windows look trashy with boxes and stuff. There were band aids and fake nails on the pool deck, too. The restaurant and bar were closed. We were told they couldn’t keep staff, which often means poor management. One small annoyance: the lids for our room coffee cups were the wrong size.

The room was super clean and nice, and the breakfast was better than what most hotels offer. It was very quiet and not busy, and the price was good. I also got free late checkout as a Holiday Inn member. I’d come back, just not on a Tuesday night before the pool’s scheduled Wednesday cleaning. The pool water felt cold, and the hot tub bubbles barely worked. I’m disappointed because I hoped to bring my kids one more time before we left, but the pool was closed for maintenance cleaning on Wednesday morning for a couple of hours. I swear the website didn’t say anything about the scheduled Wednesday cleaning. They should list it there.