Spa Profile: Celeste Salon and Spa at Amway Grand Plaza

Amway Grand Plaza is a historic hotel overlooking downtown Grand Rapids, MI and the rivers that flow through it.

On August 15, 2023, the ribbons were officially cut on the new Celeste Salon and Spa at the Amway Grand Plaza. It was part of an overall hotel renovation that transformed an entire floor of the hotel into a wellness floor that includes the spa, outdoor pickleball courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and the pool.

The spa is a place of light and views, overlooking downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan and the rivers that course through it. The relaxation room includes outdoor patios—ones that the spa director plans to have open year-round once space heaters are added.

Sharing staff with the Seraphina Spa at the neighboring JW Marriott, Celeste Salon and Spa’s new facilities include a hair salon, nail salon, five treatment rooms, a steam room in the men’s locker room, a dry sauna in the women’s locker room, hot tub whirlpool, and indoor and outdoor relaxation spaces.

It’s a place of warmth, filled with custom woodworking pieces, brushed gold accents, and plenty of large windows letting in the natural light.

We spoke with Caitlin McClelland, wellness director at AHC Hospitality about what makes Celeste an exciting, new destination in bustling Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Why You’ll Love It: Our guests love the brand-new space, which is designed by Gensler. The atmosphere is open and light, and our guests particularly rave about how comfortable the salon chairs are, which are inspired by the classic Eames lounge chair. The outdoor spaces are an added bonus, with unexpected views of the Grand River and surrounding foliage. Our spa guests also love our new skincare product line Eminence. Our team has always provided exquisite services for our guests and our space matches that level of excellence.

The reception area at Celeste Salon and Spa.

Key Features: The key features of the new spa and salon are our outdoor spaces and access to our full wellness floor. Our relaxation room, select treatment rooms, hair salon, and nail salon all have exceptional outdoor spaces that add another level to the experience, showcasing picturesque views of the Grand River. After receiving a treatment, Celeste guests are invited to utilize our added amenities, such as the sauna in the women's locker room and the steam room in the men's locker room, not to mention the wellness floor’s pool, hot tub, and fitness center.

Snacks Served: We offer light snacks in our relaxation room and will also be partnering with one of our wonderful restaurants within the Amway Grand Plaza, the Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck, where guests will be able to order delicious food.

The spa and salon have outdoor spaces that showcase picturesque views of the Grand River.

Insider’s Tip: My insider tip would be to make a full self-care day out of your experience. With the wellness floor’s ample amenities, we have everything to offer guests and everyone needs a "me" day!

Bonus: The bonus feature of our space is definitely our various outdoor spaces. Guests have access to enjoy fresh air and breathtaking views of the Grand River while enjoying their relaxing experience. The salon’s outdoor terraces also make for great photo opportunities to capture the full experience and freshly done looks.

Pairs can enjoy side-by-side services in the couple’s suite with a private deck.

Splurge Treatment: A splurge I would recommend is a customizable full spa day. Our expert concierges can help our guests create the perfect spa day. My ideal spa day would be a hot stone massage and an anti-aging facial, followed by an executive mani and pedi and blow-out to get me ready for a fantastic dinner at MDRD, the hotel’s chic rooftop restaurant.

Guests can also enjoy hair and nail services at Celeste Salon.

Wellness Offerings: With the new wellness floor, we offer opportunities for physical fitness in our fitness center, which is equipped with Pelotons and state-of-the-art equipment. We also have Rooftop Pickleball, where guests can rent a paddle and reserve one of our stunning outdoor courts. We are excited to expand on our wellness offerings in the future.