Ann Arbor's BEST Kept Secret: Days Inn Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Ann Arbor's "BEST Kept Secret" Days Inn Review: Prepare to be… Intrigued (and Maybe a Little Confused)
Okay, people, buckle up. We're about to dive headfirst into the swirling, slightly-musty embrace of the Days Inn in Ann Arbor. Now, the title promised a secret. Well, let's just say "secret" might be a slight overstatement. But the experience? Oh, the experience… let’s just say it's memorable.
First Impressions (and a Potential Existential Crisis)
Finding this "secret" wasn't hard. It's there. The parking lot, a sprawling testament to the American love of the automobile, was thankfully…free? Yes, free parking! A small victory in a world where everything nickel-and-dimes you. The exterior? Let's call it "functional." It's not going to win any architectural awards, but hey, it's a building, right? And it's got… Exterior corridor access. Now, this might sound trivial, but for a seasoned hotel-dweller, it's a gamble. You’re exposed to the elements, and let's be honest, the possibility of rogue late-night conversations happening just outside your door.
But I was already in, committed to this "best-kept" whatever.
Accessibility - Navigating the Labyrinth (or at Least, the Hallway)
Okay, Facilities for disabled guests are listed. I didn't investigate these specifics (I'm able-bodied, though I walk with a certain je ne sais quoi of a limp that I've decided is dramatic), but it gave me the impression that things might be on the level. The elevator was reassuring. Less reassuring? The slightly-askew sign pointing to the ice machine. Small things, but they add to the…charm. If you are looking for Wheelchair accessible rooms, you'll hopefully have better luck than I had at just finding the ice machine in the first place.
The Room: A Study in Contradictions (and Free Wi-Fi!)
Step inside - my room, at least - and you're greeted by… wait for it… Air conditioning! Yes, you can control the temperature! A huge plus for a person who feels too hot all the time. And the Wi-Fi [free]? Yep, it's there, and thankfully, it worked! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is a serious win. Seriously. I need that sweet, sweet streaming ability.
Now, the room itself. The bed? Comfortable enough. Not the cloud-like perfection of a Ritz, but perfectly fine for catching some zzz's. The decor? Let’s just say it's a collection of neutral colors and functional furnishings. There was even a desk, a laptop workspace and Internet access – wireless, so I could (pretend to) work away from the office. There really was a Coffee/tea maker. That's essential. I took advantage, it was a saving grace for making the day bearable.
But here's the thing: the soundproofing? Questionable. I could hear the street noise (luckily it wasn't a terribly busy street), and I think I could make out snippets of a conversation a few doors down. Was it a passionate argument about… something? I'll never know. It definitely wasn’t a quiet retreat, but for the price, I wasn't expecting the Abbey Road Studios.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Germaphobe's Dilemma
Alright, in these post-pandemic times, cleanliness ALWAYS weighs heavily. So, what's the scene? The Days Inn does list Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays. Plus, there's Hand sanitizer at the front desk. The staff are listed as being trained in safety protocol. I give them credit for listing it. I really, really do. However, there was no Room sanitization opt-out available, so you can only decide to do it or not. The room was clean, mind you, but I can't claim to have whipped out a UV wand and gone to town. Smoke alarms are there, just in case.
One thing that struck me was the CCTV in common areas and (I think) CCTV outside property! And, of course, the 24-hour Front desk. So, safety measures were present.
Getting Down to Brass Tacks: Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (or the Lack Thereof)
Now, here's where things get a bit… thin. According to the list, we have Restaurants. Okay. But the on-site dining situation seemed nonexistent. There was no physical restaurant. I couldn't locate the Coffee/tea in restaurant. sigh Maybe it's a secret within a secret?! I’ll never know.
However, you could get Breakfast [buffet], but the list fails to detail the details. But this is a Days Inn. Don't go expecting Michelin stars.
So, the dining situation is best managed by looking elsewhere. Luckily, Ann Arbor is a food paradise – trust me.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the…Missing?
Daily housekeeping? Present and accounted for! Thank goodness. Laundry service? Perhaps. I didn’t use it, so I can't confirm. The Cash withdrawal and Currency exchange options? Well, I'm not betting on it.
What's completely missing? Many of the bells and whistles, the spa, the gym, and the fancy stuff. Don't expect a Pool with view. The Sauna seems to be MIA. Spa? Forget about it. Fitness center? I didn't see one.
For the Kids: Can They Handle the Mystery?
Family/child friendly? Hmm, that's tricky. There's no indication of dedicated kids' facilities, but, families are allowed? It's a budget-friendly option, so maybe?
The Verdict: Secret Worth Keeping? (Maybe Not)
So, is the Days Inn in Ann Arbor a "best kept secret?" Honestly, it depends on what you're looking for. It's not glamorous. It's not luxurious. It's not going to blow your mind with its amenities.
But… it's clean. It's functional. And, importantly, it's affordable. And the Wi-Fi [free] is a huge win. Especially if you love the outdoors and exploring everything that Ann Arbor has to offer.
I'd say the Days Inn is a perfectly reasonable option if you prioritize budget and a convenient location over all the fancy trimmings. It's straightforward. It's there. And it leaves you enough room in your budget so you can go eat something delicious!
Final Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars. Solid, reliable, and a little bit strange. And for the price? I'd probably go back. But I'm still searching for that ice machine…
Amsterdam Hotel Stamford (CT): Your Dreamy Dutch Escape Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my Ann Arbor adventure, specifically, the Days Inn by Wyndham! Truthfully, the "by Wyndham" part gives me a nervous twitch right off the bat. Let's see how this actually goes…
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Hotel Hunt
Afternoon (Around 3 PM): Arrive in Ann Arbor. "Ann Arbor!" I exclaimed, mostly to myself. The town felt… dense. Like a giant hive of preppy bees. I swear, everyone had a tote bag. Where's my tote bag?! Must rectify that immediately. Fly in, grab my (thankfully not delayed) luggage. The rental car pickup was smooth. Too smooth. Suspicious.
3:30 PM (give or take): The Days Inn. Found it! Which, let me tell you, felt like a minor miracle. Maps, you know, they're suggestions, not gospel. Driving into the parking lot, I noticed a distinct lack of the promised "lake view." Ah, well. False advertising, welcome to travel. Check-in. Lady at the desk seemed… tired. I get it, honey. I am too. I think I've spent the last five years of my life in a constant state of feeling slightly tired.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: The Room. Okay, let's be real. It's… a Days Inn room. Standard. The carpet, a shade of beige that screams "I've seen some things." But hey, it's clean-ish, the A/C (a MUST) works, and the bed… well, the bed looks like it might hold me. Praying. I'm a person who likes a good bed.
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM (ish): Exploring the Surrounding Area. Oh, the glorious, walkable area! Turns out, the Days Inn is… on a busy road. Like, really busy. My grand visions of quaint, leafy streets are immediately dashed. There's a gas station and a fast-food place. Glamorous. Decide that if I get to a nice cafe, It makes up for the highway surroundings.
6:30 PM (give or take): Dinner. Found a decent diner. Ate the onion rings! So good! It was something out of a movie. The waitress was kind, the food was edible, and the air conditioning was blasting.
Day 2: Campus Capers & That Damn Bed
- Morning (8:00 AM): Breakfast at the hotel. "Continental breakfast," they promised. Continental, like, with a hint of continent? Nope. Just the usual parade of questionable pastries, stale bagels, and lukewarm coffee. Fuel up, deal with it. This is where I really start missing decent coffee .
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The University of Michigan! Okay, NOW we're talking. The campus is gorgeous. Stunning. The architecture, the history… it's overwhelming. Walked around, marveling at the libraries and the law Quad. Spent a good hour just staring at the Law Quad. Then… that bed! Again. It's not terrible, but it's not doing anything for my back. Sigh.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch at a very average deli. Needed to eat. My stomach did not care about historic buildings.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Ann Arbor Art Center. Took in a lot of art here. A nice break from the busy campus. Feeling surprisingly inspired.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Back to the Days Inn to rest. That bed still seems… a little lumpy. I'm starting to feel like Goldilocks, but instead of porridge, it's beds. This one is neither too hard, nor too soft. It is just there.
- 6:00 PM - Later: Dinner tonight! Went to an Indian Resturant. Found some great food!
Day 3: Farewell, Frustrations, and a Flickering Hope
- Morning (8:00 AM): Hotel Breakfast, take two. Same deal. Wondering if maybe I should have grabbed something at the gas station the day before.
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Trying (and failing) to figure out how to do laundry. Okay, I can admit it. I'm a laundry idiot. This place doesn't have laundry service. Sigh. My clothes will just have to stink.
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Final stroll down the street. Check out. Bye bye, Days Inn. You weren't special, but you were there. And you were air-conditioned.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch and Departure
Final Thoughts:
Honestly. The Days Inn? It's a Days Inn, you know? Functionally adequate. The surrounding area? A bit depressing. The bed? Meh. But Ann Arbor? Ann Arbor's pretty darn cool. The art, the campus, the overall… vibe. This trip wasn't perfect. It was a bit messy. But it was mine. And that's what counts, right?
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Ann Arbor's "Best Kept Secret" Days Inn Review (You Won't Believe This!): FAQ - The Unfiltered Truth
Okay, Seriously, "Best Kept Secret"? Why? Is This Some Kind of Joke?
Look, I'm usually one for a good hotel-hunting adventure, you know? The boutique hotels, charming B&Bs... But sometimes, life throws you a curveball. Ann Arbor's expensive, folks! And sometimes, your budget screams "Days Inn!" So, "best kept secret" is relative. It's not like, a hidden Michelin-starred restaurant. It's more like... a place where you can survive a weekend in Ann Arbor without selling a kidney. Honestly, the "secret" is mostly the price. And maybe... maybe it’s the vibe. Which, depending on your mood, can be either endearing or terrifying.
What's the Room Like? Spill the Tea (or the Coffee, Considering it's a Days Inn...)?
Alright. The room. Let's be real. It's not winning any design awards. Think... functional. Think... vaguely beige. Think... carpets that have seen things. I'm not going to lie, I've questioned the stain's origins on more than one occasion. But hey, the bed (usually a king, thank you very much) *was* comfortable. Actually, one time, I swear the mattress was newer. I think they swap them out sporadically because I *swear* the last time I stayed it sagged slightly. And the TV? It works. Sometimes. The remote is probably older than me, the batteries probably corroded, and you'll have to wrangle it, but it'll eventually get you to HGTV. And that’s all that matters after a long day of museum hopping.
The Bathroom: Clean or a Biohazard? Be Brutally Honest!
Okay, this is where it gets... interesting. The bathroom *can* be clean. Sometimes. I've definitely seen better, and I've definitely seen worse. The water pressure in the shower? It's a gamble. You might get a gentle trickle, you might get a surprisingly forceful blast that nearly knocks you over. It’s like roulette. The towels are... well, they're towels. Let's just leave it at that. I suggest bringing your own. (My own personal tip: always carry Clorox wipes. Trust me.)
What About the Breakfast? Is it, You Know, Edible?
Ugh. Breakfast. Alright. This is where you set your expectations *low*. Like, subterranean-level low. They *offer* a continental breakfast. That means, usually, pre-packaged muffins that taste vaguely of sadness, some questionable fruit (if you're lucky), instant oatmeal, and a waffle maker. The waffle maker is the hero. Embrace it. Love it. It's your only friend. The coffee? It's coffee. Drinkable, but don't get your hopes up for a barista experience. I once found a rogue, suspiciously shaped, blob of something in the orange juice. I will not get into it.
The Staff: Helpful or Horrorshow?
The staff at this Ann Arbor Days Inn are… a mixed bag. I won't lie. There was one night, I specifically requested the top floor and a corner room. And I got neither. I felt the front desk was probably manned by different people each shift. It's a roll of the dice, truly. I've had incredibly friendly, helpful folks who went above and beyond. And I've had… less enthusiastic encounters. Let's just say, the "customer service" level varies. Be nice, be patient, and try to channel your inner zen master. It probably helps if you don't have extremely high expectations.
Location, Location, Location! How Far From the Action?
Okay, the *location* is actually pretty decent. It isn't exactly *in* downtown, but it's a relatively short drive (or a slightly longer bus ride) to most of the key spots in Ann Arbor. You're not going to be walking everywhere. But you're also not paying downtown prices, which is a huge win. It's near some decent restaurants (not that the Days Inn's eating is going to knock your socks off). It’s probably the best thing this place has going for it. Easy access to the stadium if you're into that kind of thing.
Parking: Is it a Nightmare?
Parking is... fine. There's usually *enough* parking. It's not a huge, sprawling lot, but you're highly unlickely to circle for half an hour. Don't expect valet. Don't expect anything fancy. Just park, and move on. It's pretty painless.
The Pool: Is it... Pool-Shaped? Or a Green Swamp?
There *is* a pool. I have not personally braved the pool. I saw it once. It looked... pool-ish. I can't vouch for cleanliness. I'll leave that up to the adventurous. I'm more of a "stay in my beige room with the questionable carpet" type of person.
Would You Stay There Again? Be Honest!
Look, if I'm on a budget, yes. Absolutely, yes. If I need a place to crash, and I don't want to spend a fortune, the Days Inn in Ann Arbor is a perfectly serviceable option. Especially if it's a quick trip and you're expecting to spend most of your time out and about! Just remember, it's not a luxury hotel. It's a functional place to rest your weary head. Set your expections accordingly, bring some Clorox wipes, and you should be fine. Also, seriously, the waffles. Make sure you get the waffles.
The MOST Memorable Ann Arbor Days Inn Experience? Spill!
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