Priceline Hotel: 4* Detroit (Downtown) Greektown Casino - Hotel

[coupe53]

I will be going to Detroit for the first time September 17-21.  Going to the Michigan football game on the 19th.  I'm not sure if I should try to get a room in Ann Arbor or stay in Detroit and drive down to the game.  I would like to a 4* room up to 150.00 per night if its possible.  Any help and tips on what to do, see will be appreciated.

[thereuare]

Going to the Michigan football game on the 19th.

You trying to make me jealous??

I'm not sure if I should try to get a room in Ann Arbor or stay in Detroit and drive down to the game.

By all means i would recommend staying in Ann Arbor unless your other plans for the rest of the trip having you doing things around Detroit (Greektown, Windsor, etc). Not only is Ann Arbor a great town to spend 4 days in, but you won't have to deal with the traffic and parking on game day.

There are only two hotels directly on campus (neither have ever been reported to the board as a PRICELINE or HOTWIRE win) so unfortunately you will still be a bit off campus, but you could take a taxi or mass towards the game.

Which zone(s) are most acceptable will have to do with your plans for the other non-football days of your trip... will you be hanging out on campus OR do you have events in/around Detroit that make that a better location?

On a side note, on game day i would recommend starting at the Michigan Union (on State St) and walking to the game there... it's an experience like no other walking to the game with 100K other fans (NOTE: if you walk to the game, open container laws are strictly enforced... i would not suggest drinking, even out of a plain plastic cup, on your way to the game)

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

[coupe53]

Thanks.  This trip was planned around the game so it's entirely a pleasure trip.  There are 3 of us and we would like to see what we can.  The only other plan is to see the Tigers play on the 18th and maybe going to Canada.  I have no problem staying in Ann Arbor and driving into Detroit each day.  Do you think maybe looking at express deals may be the best for getting a room in Ann Arbor?

[thereuare]

There are 3 of us... Do you think maybe looking at express deals may be the best for getting a room in Ann Arbor?

Note that unless the PRICELINE EXPRESS offers shows a 'Bed Choice' that will accommodate three people, then PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy... after that it's at the discretion of the hotel, and you could receive a room with only one bed. While you can call the hotel you win and request a room with two beds, the hotel may not be able, or willing, to honor your request. If this is not a risk you're willing to accept, HOTWIRE would still be an option as they allow you to search for up to quad occupancy and ensure sleeping accommodations for everyone you include in your search (although this usually means two beds, the second 'bed' could be a sofabed, rollaway, etc)

Also, HOTWIRE breaks up the zones in this area a little better than PRICELINE.

The only other plan is to see the Tigers play on the 18th and maybe going to Canada.

I would first decide how much you will be doing in/around Detroit vs. how much you want to hang out in Ann Arbor... Detroit/Windsor is about 45-60 minutes away, so not worthwhile to stay in Ann Arbor if you will be heading to Detroit each day. Also, given football Saturday, staying in Ann Arbor will likely be more expensive then staying in Detroit.

One other option is to SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID, staying in Detroit 9/17-9/19 (when you'll go to the Tiger game, possibly Windsor, and anything else you'd like to do in the Detroit area)... then the morning of 9/19 change hotels to stay in Ann Arbor (where you'll get free parking at the hotel and not have to deal with gameday traffic after the game, and be able to hang out in Ann Arbor after the game and on Sunday/Monday)

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

Your thoguhts?

[coupe53]

Splitting the hotels would be the best.  If there is anything we would want to do on Sunday we could drive.  Thank you for all of the advise you've given me.

[thereuare]

For 9/17-9/19 searching for 3adults, HOTWIRE has the following:

4.5* Downtown for $117/nite

Free Parking

Free Internet

Pet Friendly

Casino

Fitness

Restaurant

Business

Hi-Speed Internet

Golf

Blind Accessible

Deaf Accessible

Travel Accessible

Room Accessible

Bathroom Accessible

Handicapped Parking

Roll-in Shower

... best guess for this one would be the MotorCity Casino Hotel

4* Downtown for $110/nite

Pet Friendly

Indoor Pool

Smoke Free

Fitness

Pool

Restaurant

Business

Hi-Speed Internet

Golf

Spa

Blind Accessible

Deaf Accessible

Travel Accessible

Room Accessible

Bathroom Accessible

Handicapped Parking

... the Westin Book Cadillac would be the best guess here

Do either of these work for your needs for the Detroit portion of your trip?

I will add that when it comes to the Ann Arbor of your trip any deals will be harder to come by and not as deep of a discount, as hotels can usually be near full occupancy on their own and there is no need to discount too deeply. I'm currently seeing what looks like the Holiday Inn for ~$160/nite (triple occupancy)... but we can discuss this leg of your stay in a NEW TOPIC, but wanted to make sure that something like the Holiday Inn at this price would be acceptable before your committed to the first 2 nites.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

Let us know your thoughts on the above and we'll take it from there.

[coupe53]

Either of the hotels for the Detroit stay would be fine.  I figured that much for Ann Arbor with 100,000 people in town so we're not picky about the hotel there.

[thereuare]

So do you want to move forward with either of the above and then take care of Ann Arbor... or did you want to confirm Ann Arbor before taking one of those above? (with the risk that while you're working on the AA part of your stay either/both of the above could disappear)

Please start a NEW TOPIC for the second leg of your trip and post the results for the Detroit leg of your stay here once completed.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

[coupe53]

Yes, I would like to move forward with either one of the Detroit hotels.  We will be driving so I think free parking would offset the cost of paying to park as I don't see free parking for the Westin.

[thereuare]

I believe the Westin charges $15/day for self-parking... $30/day for valet.

Let us know which you decide upon (or if you have trouble location either... don't forget to include 3adults in your search if that is still the number of guests you will be) and how it goes or if we can be of further help... and feel free to start a NEW TOPIC for Ann Arbor.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Good luck!

[coupe53]

To give you an update we got a corporate rate for the Wyndham Microtel Ann Arbor for the first 3 nights.  We will bid for the 4th night in Detroit and will let you know the results.

[thereuare]

Thanks for the update.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

[coupe53]

Won the Greek Town Casino for $99.00.  Going rate for the night now is $199.00.  Thereuare, thanks for all the help.  If you have tips for Ann Arbor, let me know.

 

Thanks again.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success and thank you for sharing your win with the board.

In Detroit:

Buddy's Pizza

17125 Conant St

--> it's not in a great neighborhood so best to make an afternoon/daytime visit. They have coupons on their website.

Ann Arbor

Zingerman's Delicatessen

422 Detroit St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

--> used to be better, imo, but a local institution and still very good (albeit expensive) sandwiches

Kang’s Korean Restaurant

1327 S University Ave

--> if you like Korean food (or are open to exploring) the BeBimBob here is top notch and a cheap lunch at $7 (or so)

Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger

--> i haven't been since they moved their location (the University bought the building they rented) but really good and really fresh 'greasy spoon' burgers with countless toppings available.

Around campus a walk thru the center of campus (The Diag) is great (and spend a little time just hanging out if the weather is nice), the Law Library/School is impressive if you like old architecture, if you're into nature walk thru the Arboretum is worthwhile, and/or you can kayak down the river from the Argo Canoe Livery. As well, depending upon your age (and maturity level :) ) Pinball Pete's is an institution arcade (on South University) with lots of old time favorites.

South University ('South U') as it's called and State Street are where most of the students walk... you can walk to Main St. if you want a bit of an older crowd.

As mentioned previously, i recommend walking to the game by starting near the Michigan Union (corner of South University and State St. and walking with the crowds to the game). Also, if you're into sports, don't ignore any of the other 'secondary' sports... mens/womens soccer and anything else that may be taking place while you're there.

If you have any other questions or need additional information let me know.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Enjoy your stay.