Microtel Inn & Suites, Ann Arbor, Michigan

...got ourselves booked into the Microtel Inn & Suites, in Ann Arbor, quite easily and looked forward to our week long stay in a new place.

'''Company info:'''
Microtel Inn & Suites boast that you can 'Enjoy a Quality Hotel Room at a Discount Hotel Price' and they're not wrong. They are one of the fastest-growing budget hotel chains in America and the have won various awards for their hotels and have "Ranked Highest in Guest ...
.../> This particular 'branch' of Microtel Inn & Suites is located uptown Ann Arbor. It's about a 10 minute drive from the University. Once we found the road it's on, we had a bit of trouble finding it. It's sort of hidden behind a 'Holiday Inn', but on closer inspection we saw it tucked away. Once here, it feels little bit like we're stuck in the middle of nowhere. You would need to get a bus or drive anywhere as it take too long to walk. It's under ... more

Introduction:
Whilst in America, my partner had to go on a business trip up to Michigan University, in the city of Ann Arbor. As the good boy I am, I went along ungrudgingly. Normally, we get accommodation given to us by the faculty, but at this time it was already being used by other visitors so we had to stay in a hotel, no skin off my nose. We got ourselves booked into the Microtel Inn & Suites, in Ann Arbor, quite easily and looked forward to our week long stay in a new place.

Company info:
Microtel Inn & Suites boast that you can 'Enjoy a Quality Hotel Room at a Discount Hotel Price' and they're not wrong. They are one of the fastest-growing budget hotel chains in America and the have won various awards for their hotels and have "Ranked Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Economy/Budget Hotel Chains" for the 6th year running! As well as having hotels in the USA, they are also in Argentina, Canada, Honduras, Mexico and the Philippines. It's first hotel opened in 1996. They also the first chain of hotels to offer FREE (yes, FREE) wifi high-speed access and free long distance and local calls!

Location:
This particular 'branch' of Microtel Inn & Suites is located uptown Ann Arbor. It's about a 10 minute drive from the University. Once we found the road it's on, we had a bit of trouble finding it. It's sort of hidden behind a 'Holiday Inn', but on closer inspection we saw it tucked away. Once here, it feels little bit like we're stuck in the middle of nowhere. You would need to get a bus or drive anywhere as it take too long to walk. It's under an hour away from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, so it's not bad for major transport links. As well as the University Art & History Museums, it's also near the Matthei Botanical Gardens and Henry Ford Museum. As well as Detroit/Windsor casinos and further downtown in the city, there is shopping and restaurants. There is a really nice supermarket 'Busch' only a stone throws away also, which is handy for any bits and bobs you might need. Everything would be easier if we were more central, but hey.

--Location rating: 7/10

The Lobby:
I must say when we arrived, my expectations of what awaited us, weren't great. However, once inside, I was impressed. Everywhere was clean, tidy and smart. The décor is rather white and blue and somewhat dated, but non-offensive. There is a large check in desk that is always occupied with friendly staff, and had actually been very helpful to me. There are comfy sofas and chairs dotted around too and the overall feel is inviting. The most impressive part for me, was that there is tea, coffee, juices and fruit available 24 hours, for free! As well as that, there is free computer (with internet) and printer access (well, I think you have to pay for any printing), fax and copier services, as well as FREE high-speed wireless, FREE long distance calls and FREE local calls. Just when I was wondering what the catch was, they informed me that we can get me a FREE taxi to ANYWHERE locally (it runs from 9:00am until 7:30pm and you arranged free pick up too!) Well, I say free taxi, but let's not forget this is the land of tipping, but hey. We found out we were to be on the ground floor, so we could pop round the corner whenever we wanted to get a coffee or a nana…beautiful! There's also plaques for employee of the month and year, so at least customer service is on their mind. Something else I love about this hotel is that it has a strict non-smoking EVERYWHERE policy. Which we may take for granted now, but in Michigan it's still legal to smoke in public places, but the hotel fine anyone caught smoking a $500 fine…brilliant!

--Lobby rating: 10/10

The Rooms:
We had a rather basic guest bedroom with ensuite. The hotel has 58 of these as well as 25 larger suites (all non-smoking) with fridge, microwave, mini kitchen and in-room coffee service. Which I found confusing because we had a coffee maker (a rather good one too), so unless the other ones have a full on machine that dispenses more, I can't see the difference. We had a twin room with two double beds, we also had a colleague sharing with us. The room was big enough, but could have had a bit more room to swing some cats. We had an ample desk which looked after the coffee maker, a phone, a information/letter stand with info, an ice box and some cups. The wardrobe looked after an iron and ironing board, as well as little laundry bags, so you can pay for garments to be cleaned and dry cleaned, handy. There were also drawers and bedside table (which looked after our 2nd phone!), the usual as you would expect really. We had a TV (with 20 channels, no chance of missing 'American Idol', joy) precariously perched on top of the wardrobe (interesting place to put it) with remote control.
The sheets on the beds, I must say look rather expensive and were luxurious to touch, with a deep red silken runner along the bottom. My only complaint about the bed was that it felt a bit too soft (I like it firm, you see) and the covers felt too thin, although I was never cold. All was clean and I couldn't complain. Along the headboard of the beds, ran a full length mirror (see pictures) which is apparently a trend for Microtel Inns & Suites. Very smart. Our room backed onto a busy road, whilst the noise was kept out sufficiently, the sight was rather well…unsightly.
Our door had a keycard and double lock on the inside, so we felt nice and secure. I was very impressed with the maid service. I wanted to sleep in whilst the others got up early (haha) for their meeting, so put a 'do not disturb' sign on the door. At about 10:00am I got an A4 sheet of paper put under the door apologizing for not cleaning the room but didn't want to disturb me (!), then went on to explain that if I call '0' from the phone, I can arrange for housekeeping to come and clean it when I'm ready, as long as it's before noon, as that's when they finish. I have never come across this, I was always under the assumption that if you missed it, then tough. I thought this service was excellent, so there was no pressure to be up and ready so as not to miss the maids! We also have a really nice window seat that's fully padded with cushions, a really lovely place to sit back and read.

--Bedroom rating: 9/10
--Amenities in the room rating: 9/10

The Bathroom:
Once again, I was impressed. It's a decent size with bath/shower with a clean shower curtain too - thank the lord, I've been in far too may cheap hotels with grotty shower curtains. The shower works very nicely with a clear dial allowing you to choose your desired temperature. The overall feel doesn't say 'cheap hotel' in the slightest. We had complimentary soaps, shower gels etc and lots of clean towels that can be replaced everyday (although they ask you to place them on a rack to reuse in efforts to save water, or if left on the floor, they will replace). The sink area is made from a strange fake, plasticy, marbley surface that looks cleans, although I can't tell if there's limescale or a 'marbley' effect, hmm. One thing that annoys me is the toilet, when it flushes, it acts like it's in an aeroplane the suction noise is emense and makes me jump everytime. There's also a hairdryer, which is handy…if you have hair! Apart from that, it's fine, infact it's very good.

--Bathroom rating: 8/10

Breakfast/Food:
The room comes with breakfast. As already mentioned, there is always refreshments out all day, but between 6:30 and 9:30am…extras appear. There is a choice of 6 cereals, pastries, muffins, bagels, jams, hot chocolate, lots to choose from really, although it's all generally in packets. It's adequate. If you wanted something hot, they have a freezer vending machine, that has 'hot pockets' and 'croissants', so you can pop them in the microwave and have them. Although the food isn't the best quality, I was pleased with the selection and it filled me up nicely.

--Food rating: 7/10

Other Amenities:
Whilst the hotel didn't have a gym there was access to tennis and basketball courts, and if we wanted a gym we just had to pop next door into the Holiday Inn and we were able to use theirs. They also had a restaurant and bar next door they we could (and did…fine if you like deep fried food) dine in.
There's also a loyalty bonus, if you stay for 10 nights (which can be accumulated trip by trip, you don't need to stay 10 nights in a row) you get a free night, whenever you want.

--Other Amenities rating (including staff): 10/10

Price:
Our room worked out at $60 per night, per room. It can sleep up to 4 people (well, there's a comfy window seat that could sleep a small person, which we actually used for one night….oh the joys of alcohol) so that works out at $15 each and working on a rough conversion, that means it can be as cheap as 8GBP per person, or 30GBP for the room. WOW!

--Price rating: 10/10

GRAND TOTAL FOR THE: 9/10
(70/80 to be exact)

Would I Stay There Again?:
Absolutely! There is no element of doubt. It has everything you need. If you have a car, that's even better.

The company's website can be found at: www.microtelinn.com

Our particular hotel can be found here:
3610 Plymouth Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Tel: (734) 997-9100
Fax: (734) 997-9012

Thanks for reading :)

© MarcoG 2008 

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