Question on Good Places to Stay Close to Ann Arbor
Hey Everyone,
I surprised my dad for my 30th birthday and am taking him to the Purdue game Saturday, He's a lifelong fan that has never been before so should be a great time even in the cold. We got these tickets kind of late an upon looking at hotels close by we definitely can't afford to stay in town. My question is do any of you happen to know of a good place to stay within 10-20 miles of Ann Arbor? It seems the rates drop significantly drop once you get that far out.
October 31st, 2023 at 9:34 AM ^
Depends on which way you are driving home. If going west on I-94, for night games I get a room in Jackson at the Holiday Inn Express or the Holiday Inn. Normally under $150 for the night.
October 31st, 2023 at 9:46 AM ^
this is sort of the key question. I've also had luck in VRBO type places near Portage Lake which is a little NW of Ann Arbor and, at least the last time I did it, had really favorable/easy traffic flow. Hope it is a great time for you and your dad.
October 31st, 2023 at 9:56 AM ^
Driving South into Ohio but I'm fine with going slightly West or East, we have no plans for the next day so I'm ok with Driving either way out (except north).
October 31st, 2023 at 10:44 AM ^
If you're coming from the south, maybe one of the hotels in Dundee that surrounds/supports the Cabela's there? I haven't stayed in any of them personally, but they get consistent business and are right by the highway, so they're convenient to Ann Arbor.
October 31st, 2023 at 1:12 PM ^
If you're coming from Ohio, then probably Dundee or Milan, although there are more places in Dundee because of Cabela's. Second best from there might be Belleville Road / I-94, which is east of Ann Arbor by about 20 miles but has hotels which are generally used by Metro Airport commuters so there might be a bit of space available.
October 31st, 2023 at 5:01 PM ^
There are a bunch of affordable IHG hotels in the Monroe/Toledo/Maumee area.
October 31st, 2023 at 9:57 AM ^
I just did this for the Michigan State game with my kids. It is great. There is a Culvers, Olive Garden and Cracker Barrel right next to the hotel.
October 31st, 2023 at 11:51 AM ^
Definitely this. If you are going west on 94, there are several decent hotel options in Jackson right off the highway. My wife and I stay here all of the time before/after games.
October 31st, 2023 at 6:09 PM ^
If you want to venture away from the chain restaurants near I94 in Jackson, check out Rocky Top BBQ. Or Grand River Brewery if you want to go a little further into downtown.
October 31st, 2023 at 9:34 AM ^
I would look in the Brighton area.
October 31st, 2023 at 10:27 AM ^
Dude, I haven't cleaned and my dogs don't like strangers.
October 31st, 2023 at 9:37 AM ^
For the Indiana game, I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Belleville. It was reasonably nice, took about 20 minutes to get to AA, and ran about $150/night.
October 31st, 2023 at 9:38 AM ^
Holiday Inn Express on Beck Rd in Plymouth should be around $100. It's next to USA hockey arena right off M14 maybe 10 miles away.
October 31st, 2023 at 9:52 AM ^
Yes, many reasonable, modest frills hotels (e.g., Hampton Inn; Holiday Inn Express; Hilton Garden) that are basically Belleville (e.g., off I-94) / Canton (e.g., Ford Rd) / Plymouth (e.g., off M-14) or east.
Anything in Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti will be $300 & up, if they are not already sold out.
October 31st, 2023 at 11:19 AM ^
I second this. I have stayed at all three: Belleville, Plymouth, and Canton for games. There are a lot of "basic" national-brand hotels around all three. They are not a long distance from A2. It's the way to go if you have a car.
Also, there are a lot of places around DTW airport that can be cheaper. It's a little bit further out, but it's an easy drive to A2. When you get out to the DTW area, the prices are not exclusively driven by UM events.
October 31st, 2023 at 12:15 PM ^
That's my go to when I don’t want to spend a lot to stay in Ann Arbor.
October 31st, 2023 at 9:41 AM ^
Depends on what way you are coming from. But always stay in Brighton or Jackson.
October 31st, 2023 at 9:42 AM ^
Plenty of AirBnB/VRBO properties in areas like Brighton, Dexter/Chelsea. Decent prices depending on the space you need but if it's just you and your dad I bet you could find something nice this time of year. Best of luck, have fun!
October 31st, 2023 at 9:43 AM ^
Well, I was going to recommend the Baymont by Wyndham in Milan, which is right off US-23 and is only 20 minutes from the Big House, but the current rate for Saturday to Sunday is over $300, so that probably isn't worth it.
October 31st, 2023 at 9:43 AM ^
Yes the one of many hotels in the Plymouth area. Hilton-Garden Inn is a decent hotel within the driving distance you're looking for!!! God Bless and GO BLUE!!!
October 31st, 2023 at 9:44 AM ^
Howard Johnsons DTW. Walk to Bob Evans for breakfast next door. 30 minute drive to Big House.
October 31st, 2023 at 9:45 AM ^
Like some have said, it depends on where you’re coming from and where you need to go afterward. I cannot speak it how cheap the hotels are in these areas either, so I apologize for that.
I’d echo what some have said here already.
-Jackson (west) is cheap and has quite a few food options. Would be about 40 or so minutes from A2.
-Brighton (north) if you’re needing to be up that way and/or are flying out of DTW since it’s right next to I96. Would be about 20-30 minutes from A2.
-I’m, unfortunately, not familiar with much east or south of A2, so I can’t help ya there.
October 31st, 2023 at 9:46 AM ^
A few quick things / perspectives - and, I drive to Ann Arbor for about five games a year which requires me to stay at a hotel.
First - it's Parents / Family weekend - SO, even hotels a bit "further away" will either: 1) be booked, or 2) raise their rates. Brighton hotels are aware of this - and, their rates aren't low for "in demand" weekends - and, Parents / Family weekend is one of those "in demand" weekends.
Second - it's a night game, which is great. You can avoid the "real bad traffic" on Saturday when you drive into town. I would suggest you consider whether you'll stay for the entire game - based on the lead / outcome / temperature / etc.
Third - dress comfortable - the temperature won't be freezing; however, it will be cool. SO - if you've got a walk to get back to your car after the game - or - being in the stadium for the game - being warm and dry makes it a LOT easier.
Finally - where to stay - I've stayed in every direction from Ann Arbor. I think there are hotels in Northville, Livonia, or Novi that can combine distance and price / value. Driving an extra ten or fifteen minutes into / out of Ann Arbor isn't really that much time - and, you can save a fair amount on a hotel.
FWIW - we usually stay "east" of Ann Arbor.
October 31st, 2023 at 10:38 AM ^
Very true about parents weekend.
I know OP is not going north but even the cheap places are pretty up-priced and booked right now.
Cheap ($84) Days Inn 15 N of Ann Arbor now $210 with only King bed left, Holiday Inn Express Brighton ($99) 20 min N now completely sold out.
Otherwise I'd suggest a few miles N even if it's not your preferred Sun direction.
October 31st, 2023 at 9:48 AM ^
Sorry I should've added coming South from Southeast Ohio.
October 31st, 2023 at 10:03 AM ^
This made me chuckle. I apologize for my geographical location. For what it's worth I'm closer to Charleston West Va. than Columbus..
October 31st, 2023 at 10:08 AM ^
Southern Ohioan here....We are driving up from Chillicothe, and are staying in Dundee!
October 31st, 2023 at 9:59 AM ^
If you're coming from Ohio, Dundee might be a good spot for you... hotels, Cabela's, restaurants. YMMV.
GO BLUE!
October 31st, 2023 at 10:06 AM ^
Mike, I'd check out the hotels in / near Toledo / Sylvania / Maumee. It could be a good "balance" of cost and distance. The Marriott Courtyard in Maumee is a nice place - and, getting to Ann Arbor is a relatively quick drive up 23.
Depending on what you and your father want to do - I suggest getting to Ann Arbor early - grabbing a parking spot - and enjoying the campus before the game. "Easy out" parking is always a good thing.
And - if you're staying "south" - which is something you may / probably do (because of your location) - I think there's some construction on US 23 - so, be aware of that.
Enjoy the game. Go Blue!
October 31st, 2023 at 7:10 PM ^
I agree that Toledo is a great option coming from the South. The prices are very reasonable compared to game weekends in or around Ann Arbor, so that is my default location to stay. It takes around an hour to get to campus if you arrive ahead of the heaviest traffic. If you are able to walk for parking, I have found parking in residential areas a bit southwest of Main Street / downtown and then heading west to 94 enabled me to get out after night games more quickly than I would have anticipated.
October 31st, 2023 at 9:54 AM ^
The Holiday Inn close to Jackson/Zeeb is like $130/night, you could probably catch an Ann Arbor bus within walking distance (at the Meijer on Zeeb).
October 31st, 2023 at 11:11 AM ^
I just looked and a room at the Zeeb exit in Ann Arbor is currently $508/night for Friday and Saturday this weekend.
Maybe $130/night on a non football Saturday.
October 31st, 2023 at 9:54 AM ^
Northville/Plymouth
October 31st, 2023 at 10:07 AM ^
Some VRBOs and AirBnBs do one night stays. We stayed at a townhouse in Detroit for the Rutgers weekend and is was a lot cheaper than any hotel. I have never had a bad experience in one (knock on wood) worth checking out.
October 31st, 2023 at 10:28 AM ^
looks like you are getting some good ideas here. one i will add, maybe look at driving into toledo. a lot of times the hotels in downtown business districts are cheaper on the weekends because they are mainly catering to the monday-friday business travelers. and then those areas always have fun restaurants where you can snag a good brunch.
October 31st, 2023 at 10:38 AM ^
Try the Holiday Inn Express in Brighton. It is right on US-23, so it would be an easy drive in.
https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/brighton/brtwl/hotel…
October 31st, 2023 at 11:00 AM ^
I live in Grand Rapids, so my friend and I always stay in Brighton, there are a few places to eat, a few bars to watch other games (probably too late after this weekends games) and is easy to hop on 96 to head home in the morning. Nothing else special about it lol.
October 31st, 2023 at 11:10 AM ^
I stay at the Holiday Inn in Plymouth whenever I'm in town for a game. It's not the Four Seasons or Ritz, but plenty nice.
Continental+ (eggs, breakfast meats, pastries in addition to the normal fruits, yogurt, etc) breakfast as well and it's right off the highway to Ann Arbor.
October 31st, 2023 at 11:11 AM ^
I hate to give out the secret, but Dundee is the place.
October 31st, 2023 at 11:13 AM ^
First of all, I wanted to say happy birthday. And how nice of you to get *your dad* something for your birthday. Classy!
And finally, I say: treasure those moments. I still remember fondly the last game I got to attend with my dad. It all goes by too quickly.
Have a great weekend.
October 31st, 2023 at 11:40 AM ^
Definitely agree - and, take plenty of pics. Just make sure that your phone isn't accidentally set to "video" - and, you're not viewing the opposing team's sideline for the entire game - with clear view of any posters with various images the opposing staff might be showing to their team.
Have a blast... Go Blue!
November 1st, 2023 at 7:57 AM ^
I agree. Taking your dad, a lifelong fan, to his first game is amazing. Taking him on your birthday is priceless.
October 31st, 2023 at 11:34 AM ^
Plymouth has some decent hotels. It gets you within about 20-25 minutes of the stadium.
EDIT: Just saw that you are coming from Ohio. Dundee would work best.
Or even the Westin at DTW (airport).
October 31st, 2023 at 11:40 AM ^
Plenty of decent hotels in Toledo, OH, Adrian, MI, Dundee, MI area in the $150 or less range that very weekend (according to Hotels.com)
October 31st, 2023 at 11:46 AM ^
The very best place to stay is the Palmer House https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Palmer_Residence, but you're asking far too late to book it. https://www.vrbo.com/246204.
You can probably find something in Brighton, Chelsea or the Plymouth/Livonia/Novi area.
October 31st, 2023 at 12:11 PM ^
I don't think there is much in the way of hotels between Ann Arbor and Toledo but I could be wrong. If you are just looking for a place to stay, there are a ton of hotels by the DTW airport at a variety of price ranges and it is an easy drive to Ann Arbor and to Toledo from there.
Several years ago I came from out of town on a flight that arrived after midnight and the Purdue game was at noon the next day so I stayed at a hotel by the airport (DTW Marriott) rather than go home. The Purdue team was also staying there.
October 31st, 2023 at 12:16 PM ^
Owosso
October 31st, 2023 at 12:23 PM ^
Inn at St. John, Plymouth. You're welcome.
October 31st, 2023 at 2:38 PM ^
I see that they're booked Saturday, and $330 Friday. I think they're on to you.