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Tags: Anti-View / Michigan Hotel Reviews / → All Tags

Room With an Anti-View: Bland Rooftops at McCamly Plaza

Where: 50 Capital Ave. S.W. [map], Battle Creek, MI, United States, 49017

You know the scene. You open the door to your brand new hotel room, run over to the window, open the blinds and bam, you are hit with the anti-view. Maybe you are looking down a dirty alley, witnessing a drug deal, staring at an air shaft in the face, or seeing a brick wall. Whatever you are viewing it is not extremely pleasurable. Help out your fellow hotel mavens by uploading your anti-views to the HotelChatter/Flickr photo pool, or by sending the photo along to us. Remember to tell us the name of the hotel and the room number with the not-so-easy-on-the-eyes view.

The McCamly Plaza Hotel in Battle Creek, Michigan has just spent $3 million on renovations : new beds, new linen, new bathroom amenities. But unfortunately none of that will change this mighty unpleasant anti-view. In another picture in her series from this trip, traveler Rrrrred was optimistic enough to see a patch of blue and say "The sky was nice, at least."

The McCamly Plaza is well-located if you're headed for the Kellogg Arena or the Kellogg's World HQ; there's also tons of shopping and dining spots surrounding it. Therefore: bad views. Average rates around $110 don't seem to promise better views so it's something McCamly Plaza visitors will have to live with.

[Photo: Rrrrred]

Tags: Hotel Openings / Hotel Staff / Michigan Hotel Reviews / Marriott Hotels / → All Tags

The JW Marriott Grand Rapids Wants To Know What You Think

Where: 235 Louis St. NW [map], Grand Rapids, MI, United States, 49503

The JW Marriott Grand Rapids will officially open on September 19* and the hotel is eager to get feedback from its first guests.

Through the end of the year, travelers are invited set up a time to meet with General Manager George Aquino during their visit to share their candid thoughts on the property, the first JW Marriott in the Midwest. To say thank-you to visitors who share their valuable feedback hotel's programs, service and amenities, participants in this program will enjoy two complimentary drinks in Mixology Lounge at the JW.

This JW is already trying to be hipper and friendlier than its Marriott counterparts. Notice the Mixology lounge and what about the hotel's website URL which is http://www.ilovethejw.com/?

The hotel will also be one of the area's only luxury accommodations with 37" flat screen TVs, gourmet goodies in the minibars, Nirvae toiletries, a 24-hour concierge service, an indoor heated pool, a Starbucks, a Six.One.Six restaurant and helipad access.

What's interesting about the design of this hotel is that it has incorporated art from five of Grand Rapids' sister cities into the guestrooms and meeting rooms. FYI, those cities are Omihachiman, Japan; Perugia, Italy; Bielsko-Biala,Poland; Ga District, Ghana; and Zapopan, Mexico. That should help you forget you're in Michigan at least for a little bit. Room rates for a standard guest room start at $189 on the weekends and $229 during the week.

*The hotel's grand opening is September 19th. Guests can call the hotel directly to book rooms for travel beginning September 21. Online bookings can be made at the hotel website for travel beginning October 1.