New Hotel in Downtown Grand Rapids:

The JW Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan is under construction and slated for opening in September of this year. The 23 story hotel will house 340 guest rooms, a ballroom, lounge, restaurant and heliport on the roof. Although the hotel carries the Marriott name, it is actually a joint project of Marriott and Alticor Corporation. Alticor is the umbrella or parent company of Amway (probably one of the first, and most well known direct sells companies), Quixtar, Inc., , Access Business Group and others. Oddly, they are also owners of what would be viewed as probably the biggest competitor of this new hotel, that is the Amway Grand Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids. Alticor is owned by two of the most powerful families in Grand Rapids - the Devos family (the family of Dick Devos, former Michigan gubernatorial candidate) and the Van Andels.

The planners for this project originally had a very unique concept. According to local news station WZZM 13, there was a plan to designate the 19th floor for female guests only. This would include hotel rooms and a lounge open only to female guests. The floor would also house a retail shop with items designated just for women. The thought behind the idea is that many business travelers today are female. With that comes many complications including females not feeling safe traveling alone, and women being approached by men when alone at dinner, etc. An all female floor would allow for networking, visiting and socializing in a comfortable/safe environment, without the concern of being "hit on" by men.

Yesterday owners announced that they were canceling their plans for a female only floor in the new hotel. WZZM 13 said that hotel owners decided against the idea after receiving negative comments/feedback from customers/potential guests. The final analysis is that both men and women will be welcome to stay and/or visit the lounge on the 19th floor. Nevertheless, they will still have a designated gift shop for women on this floor with items chosen just for their female clientele.

What do you think? Do you believe a female only floor is a good idea for a hotel?

WZZM 13 - Marriott scratches idea of women-only floor in new Michigan hotel
WZZM 13 -JW Marriott will have "women only" rooms