Accommodations for Finals

Re: Accommodations for Finals

feeds@kickapps.com (TOMMYZ) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:20:15 PST

SnoozeToMe wrote:

TOMMYZ wrote:
Snooze, I honestly believe this place is way better...It is 99.00 per, so it is a little more expensive..But its way nicer and has the amenities you would like...

http://www.marriott.com/search/findHotels.mi

Tommy,

Your link didn't work for me, but I did a search Marriott.com. Are you referring to the Courtyard on Mercury Drive in Dearborn? I see that it's $99.00 and it does seem to have what I'm looking for.

Let me know if that's the one you're talking about. It certainly does look nicer than the Red Roof, for not much more money.

Actually, I found something way better....
TOMMYZ wrote:

Snooze, I honestly believe this place is way better...It is 99.00 per, so it is a little more expensive..But its way nicer and has the amenities you would like...

http://www.marriott.com/search/findHotels.mi

Tommy,

Your link didn't work for me, but I did a search Marriott.com. Are you referring to the Courtyard on Mercury Drive in Dearborn? I see that it's $99.00 and it does seem to have what I'm looking for.

Let me know if that's the one you're talking about. It certainly does look nicer than the Red Roof, for not much more money.

Re: Accommodations for Finals

feeds@kickapps.com (TOMMYZ) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:23:56 PST

Re: Accommodations for Finals

feeds@kickapps.com (windwardho) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:31:37 PST

Life is all about choices, Snooze.

Have fun brother!

Re: Accommodations for Finals

feeds@kickapps.com (SnoozeToMe) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:06:57 PST

Wow windwardho,

You realize I'm only staying one night, right? Thanks for the info... I'm sure I'll find something good to eat with all those suggestions.

Re: Accommodations for Finals

feeds@kickapps.com (BiasedGuy) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:57:57 PST

Tommy, not to belabor the point, but I guess I am. Halstead/Newburgh is quite a bit east of Novi Rd where the mall, and mall traffic is. At Grand River and Halstead you get on the freeway from east bound GR and you are right at the 275/M5/696/96 split. There is no need to head west, towards the mall, only to head east to Detroit.

Ho, you neglected to suggest some fabulous Middle Eastern restaurants while staying in Dearborn. You also, mentioned a couple that I still need to check out. btw. I posted a question on the Mlive forum about pubs to go to before the HS game. Millers got a nod.

Re: Accommodations for Finals

feeds@kickapps.com (windwardho) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:56:45 PST

Snooze,

Good call avoiding East Jefferson. Not a good walking area at all, nor is there much to offer close by. Detroit is not a walk around and discover type of city. There are great things to do, but you need to know where you are going because it's all the stuff in between that gives the city a bad rep.

I've stayed at the Athenian, and it's proximity to Greektown is what makes it worthwhile. Greektown is chocked full of good places to eat, greek and otherwise, and is walkable to Ford Field. And it is Detroit's best walk around area.

Nothing wrong with Dearborn though...Miller's Bar on Michigan Avenue serves up what some think is the world's best hamburger. It's about the only thing they have to eat there and they do indeed do it well enough that the claim has veracity.

If you are going to grab some eats in Detroit, Pegasus in Greektown is the standard for greek food (though less impressive to look at, my fav for...

Re: Accommodations for Finals

feeds@kickapps.com (TOMMYZ) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:13:16 PST

prepseer wrote:
I'd recommend staying in Birmingham at the Townsend Hotel. It's pricey, but worth the extra money. It's about a 20-30 minute drive to Ford Field. If you want something within walking distance and less expensive, the Atheneum is your best bet. The Greektown Casino Hotel would also be close to FF, but they will book up early. The Townsend for a V.I.P. place in a nice suburban area, where you would enjoy your spare time. If you are only concerned about the games and want the most convenient place, go for the Atheneum.

lol...Why not just charter a jet to FF..Have a limo pick them up and drive them from the airport....

Re: Accommodations for Finals

feeds@kickapps.com (SnoozeToMe) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:26:09 PST

Thanks for all the suggestions! I have looked up every single one of them (and a lot more). Some are booked up for Nov. 27th. Some are a little bit pricey for me. Some are a little farther away from FF than I care to be... But all great recommendations, and I appreciate all the help.

A couple more comments/factors that I considered...
(1) I'm am a west-sider, but not at all afraid of the big city... Detroit, or any other for that matter.
(2) I won't book a room that charges me immediately when I book. Those are non-refundable. I've cancelled too many overnight trips to book something non-refundable.
(3) WiFi is important to me.
(4) I really hate valet parking (I'd rather pay somebody to let me park my car by myself), and would prefer a place with free parking.
(5) I'd prefer not to spend over $100-$120 (tax included).
(6) Since I'm considering a round-trip between games 2 and 3 on Friday to check-in, a...

Re: Accommodations for Finals

feeds@kickapps.com (prepseer) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:34:23 PST

I'd recommend staying in Birmingham at the Townsend Hotel. It's pricey, but worth the extra money. It's about a 20-30 minute drive to Ford Field. If you want something within walking distance and less expensive, the Atheneum is your best bet. The Greektown Casino Hotel would also be close to FF, but they will book up early. The Townsend for a V.I.P. place in a nice suburban area, where you would enjoy your spare time. If you are only concerned about the games and want the most convenient place, go for the Atheneum.

Re: Accommodations for Finals

feeds@kickapps.com (TOMMYZ) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:11:02 PST

BiasedGuy wrote:
Dunno bout that Tommy. You save time by being right at the crux of the freeway. Prob 25 minutes and 10-15 to park and walk. That location is a good 4 miles away from that mall. But, as I suggested, it's all what you (snooze) are looking for.

What I suggested about some West Siders and The D is true.

I know the area very well as im in it 6 days a week...And what I speak of is the truth...It is not 25 mins..It is atleast 45 mins...Its 25 mins from where I work in Wixom to 96 and Inkster, my house...And to go downtown they will have to head west to 275 and hit that stupid mall traffic during TG which is nuts...Its been that way for over 6 years I have been working out this way...

On the whole scared of Detroit thing, you know, whatever floats their boats...Its stupid...But if they are that way, the Livonia hotels are a much better choice as well as...

Re: Accommodations for Finals

feeds@kickapps.com (BiasedGuy) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:49:45 PST

Dunno bout that Tommy. You save time by being right at the crux of the freeway. Prob 25 minutes and 10-15 to park and walk. That location is a good 4 miles away from that mall. But, as I suggested, it's all what you (snooze) are looking for.

What I suggested about some West Siders and The D is true.

Re: Accommodations for Finals

feeds@kickapps.com (TNTDyno) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:49:53 PST

I've used priceline in the past and ended up at the Dearborn Inn if you select Dearborn as an area to stay. I've actually stayed there twice, each time for $55.00/night or less. Not too far to downtown, and the place is pretty nice.

If you want to see what hotels you can get through priceline, check the site www.biddingfortravel.com. Its actually on yuku, so your Searn ID works there too. You can check hotels in Michigan, then click to Metro Detroit, and you can see what hotels people end up at when trying to land in Dearborn.

Comfort Inn on East Jefferson is actually showing $89 per night during the Finals timeframe, so that is an option too.

Re: Accommodations for Finals

feeds@kickapps.com (EastGuRu) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:28:11 PST

pavlov wrote:
BiasedGuy has an extra room at his place.

......the pool, or the pond...the pond would be good for you Carl....

Re: Accommodations for Finals

feeds@kickapps.com (pavlov) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:57:15 PST

BiasedGuy has an extra room at his place.

Re: Accommodations for Finals

feeds@kickapps.com (TOMMYZ) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:55:11 PST

BiasedGuy wrote:

Hey Snooze.

There is a Knight Inn in Farmington Hills that I have notice running weekend specials of $39.99 per night. It is fairly close to Detroit Catholic Central's campus so I have noticed it.

Here is the ungodly ugly link. http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&source=hp&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Knights+Inn+Farmington+hills&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Knights+Inn&hnear=Farmington+hills&cid=0,0,9192185929375727008&ei=_OvyStfbBoKgMKCyqekF&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CA8QnwIwAA

I've...

Re: Accommodations for Finals

feeds@kickapps.com (TOMMYZ) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:50:33 PST

BigRed92 wrote:
You can get in the Detroit Omni (4 star hotel) for $93/night if you book 21 days early, which means you need to do it today. Even if you don't book early, they have pretty reasonable rates. It's about 1 mile from Ford Field. They have shuttle service to Greektown for dining or the Atwater Brewery is located about one block from the hotel.

http://www.omnihotels.com...l/DetroitRiverPlace.aspx

My wife and I stayed there last year and have no complaints.

Another good place to stay

Re: Accommodations for Finals

feeds@kickapps.com (TOMMYZ) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:50:14 PST

mehairbowl01 wrote:
Hey Snooze,

We have stayed for all eight games five times and we now have our favorite place to stay. The Greenfield Inn, which is technically in Allen Park on Enterprise Dr. and right next to Melvindale. It is really in Dearborn - just on the other side of the expressway.

The expressway takes you right downtown or you can take Michigan like I did a couple of years ago and it only took us about 15 minutes.

This hotel usually cost us around $80, is very clean, has a nice restaurant for breakfast, and is close to a large number of restaurants. We usually are whipped on Saturday and order in pizza!

Hey, maybe I'll see ya at Ford Field!

This here is a nice place to stay...

Re: Accommodations for Finals

feeds@kickapps.com (BiasedGuy) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:35:20 PST

Hey Snooze.

There is a Knight Inn in Farmington Hills that I have notice running weekend specials of $39.99 per night. It is fairly close to Detroit Catholic Central's campus so I have noticed it.

Here is the ungodly ugly link. http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&source=hp&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Knights+Inn+Farmington+hills&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Knights+Inn&hnear=Farmington+hills&cid=0,0,9192185929375727008&ei=_OvyStfbBoKgMKCyqekF&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CA8QnwIwAA

I've stayed at Knights Inns in the past and have been pleased with their accommodations. This particular...

Re: Accommodations for Finals

feeds@kickapps.com (BigRed92) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:20:37 PST

You can get in the Detroit Omni (4 star hotel) for $93/night if you book 21 days early, which means you need to do it today. Even if you don't book early, they have pretty reasonable rates. It's about 1 mile from Ford Field. They have shuttle service to Greektown for dining or the Atwater Brewery is located about one block from the hotel.

http://www.omnihotels.com...l/DetroitRiverPlace.aspx

My wife and I stayed there last year and have no complaints.

Accommodations for Finals

feeds@kickapps.com (SnoozeToMe) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:25:01 PST

This year, I'm planning on watching all eight football finals in person. It will be my first time seeing D1, D7 and all of the even divisions, and I'm really looking forward to it.

For those who travel from outside the metro Detroit area, where do you stay? For those in the Detroit area, where do you recommend (general areas or specific hotels)?

I asked for recommendations earlier, and somebody said to check out the casinos in Detroit. But the cheapest room I found was over $200 for one night. I don't need anything fancy... just a clean bed, a warm shower, a working TV, and free WiFi. Bonus points if it's in a nice area, where I can get a late dinner Friday night and good breakfast Saturday morning.

Thanks for your help.

P.S. Out of curiosity, how many of you regularly take in more than two finals games a year?