Ann Arbor's BEST Kept Secret Hotel: Microtel Inn & Suites Review!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a hotel review so deep, so detailed, it could probably write its own travel guide. And trust me, I’ve seen travel guides. I’ve lived them. My life is one giant, beautiful, messy travelogue. Let's go.
Let's talk about the unnamed Hotel (Because, honestly, it's beside the point. It’s about the EXPERIENCE, man!)
(Metadata Time! Because SEO is a thing. We'll sprinkle keywords liberally, like glitter on a slightly-too-glued project.)
Keywords: Luxury Hotel Review, Accessible Hotel, Wheelchair Friendly, Spa Hotel, Fitness Center, Pool with a View, Gourmet Dining, Free Wi-Fi, Family-Friendly, Best Hotel Deals, Hotel Amenities, Room Service, 24 Hour Front Desk, Safe Hotel, Clean Hotel, Covid-19 Safety Protocols, Hotel Accessibility, Hotel Dining, Wellness Retreat, Hotel Experience.
Alright, let’s get this show on the road.
Arrival & First Impressions: A Tango with the Front Desk (or, How I Judge a Hotel in 30 Seconds)
First things first, the lobby. Is it air conditioned? (Check!) Is the music vaguely chill and not some elevator Muzak from the 80s? (Mostly, though there was a brief flirtation with smooth jazz that nearly sent me screaming.) The important part? The front desk folks. Now, listen, I need someone who can handle my brand of chaotic energy with a smile. (And ideally, understand that I’m going to need a LOT of coffee.) Thankfully, the folks here were aces. Smiling, efficient, and blessedly, understood the concept of “Can I just… check my email real quick?” without rolling their eyes. Contactless check-in? Yep. Good to go. Immediate points.
Accessibility & The Battle of the Wheelchair (A Personal Saga within a Hotel Review)
Okay, here’s where I get a little… personal. I'm traveling with my Aunt Millie who's in a wheelchair. Accessibility is crucial. We NEED to know if it is really wheelchair friendly.
- (Accessibility): We're talking ramps, elevators that actually work, doorways wide enough for a tank… (Okay, maybe not a tank, but you get the idea.) This place, for the most part, delivered. The elevators were swift and reliable (a huge win). The ramps were well-maintained. The accessible rooms? Spacious, well-equipped, with grab bars in the bathroom and everything. But. There’s always a but, isn't there? There was one little hiccup. The entrance to the pool area. A small step. Just one. Seems tiny, right? But for someone in a wheelchair, it's a mountain. We actually had to flag down a pool attendant to find a ramp (eventually they did). It wasn't a deal-breaker, but it was a reminder that even when a hotel tries, small oversights happen. They need to address this.
- (Wheelchair accessible): Yes, mostly. With a caveat.
- (Facilities for disabled guests): Yes, in rooms.
On-Site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: This is important! The main restaurant had flat access which was great, it was a bit of a squeeze between tables but we made it work.
The Room: My Temporary Fortress (or, Where I Learned to Love Blackout Curtains)
- (Available in all rooms!) Air conditioning, check. Coffee/tea maker, double-check. Free Wi-Fi (thank the heavens!), check. But let's talk about the blackout curtains. Oh, sweet, glorious blackout curtains. I sleep like a vampire. I practically cried when I first pulled them closed. My room was well-appointed, clean, and everything worked.
- (Rooms sanitized between stays): Yes. Big plus. Peace of mind is a luxury.
- (Room sanitization option): Not sure if I wanted to use this, but, it was available.
- (Air conditioning): Absolutely. Vital.
- (Free Wi-Fi): YES!
- (Desk): Always a good necessity.
- (Bathroom phone): Huh. Never used it.
- (Towels and linens): Fine. Clean. No complaints.
- (Complimentary Toiletries, slippers, and bathrobes): Nice!
- (Safe Box and mini bar, refrigerator): all a must.
- (Wake-up service): Good!
- (Non-smoking): Yes, thank you!
- (Alarm clock): Always.
Internet: The Lifeline (and the Minor Annoyance)
- (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!) As previously mentioned: YES.
- (Internet access – wireless): Worked flawlessly. Streamed movies, sent emails, Zoomed with my cat (don't judge).
- (Internet access – LAN), (Internet): I didn’t bother with LAN, but it was available.
- (Wi-fi for special events): I didn’t host an event.
- (Internet Services): Fine.
Things To Do & Ways to Relax: Body Scrubs, Pools, and the Eternal Pursuit of Serenity (or At Least, a Decent Nap)
Okay, let's be honest. I’m not a "sit still and do nothing" kind of person. I need options. This place had 'em.
- (Swimming pool [outdoor]:) Absolutely. A lovely pool with a view. The water was perfect. The sun was warm. The problem? Finding a decent spot to lounge without feeling like I was competing with a colony of sunbathing seals. Priorities. I conquered.
- (Pool with view): It did!
- (Spa): Ooooh, baby. I sprung for a massage. Worth. Every. Penny.
- (Body scrub/wrap): They had these too, but I didn’t get any.
- (Sauna, steamroom): Yes!
- (Massage): Highly recommended. My masseuse was a magician. Seriously, she could probably solve world hunger with her hands.
- (Fitness center/Gym): I briefly considered it. Then I ordered room service. Priorities, people.
Cleanliness & Safety: The COVID Era (or, How to Not Freak Out)
Look, we're all a little jumpy these days. I was checking for this.
- (Anti-viral cleaning products, professional-grade sanitizing services, room sanitization opt-out): Check, check, and check.
- (Daily disinfection in common areas): Yep.
- (Rooms sanitized between stays): Absolutely. Made me feel a lot better!
- (Hand sanitizer): Everywhere.
- (Staff trained in safety protocol): The staff clearly had been. Professional.
- (Safe dining setup): Tables spaced out, etc.
- (Sanitized kitchen and tableware items): Yes.
- (Physical distancing): Worked out well!
- (Cashless payment service): YES.
- (Hygiene certification): Did not see one.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (or, What I Ate During My Stay)
- (Restaurants): Multiple, diverse, options.
- (A la carte in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Buffet in restaurant): Buffet for breakfast. Was good!
- (Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee Shop): Excellent coffee. A must-have in my life.
- (Bar, Poolside Bar, Happy Hour): Had a drink at the pool bar. Not bad.
- (Room service [24-hour]): Did I mention I ordered room service? Multiple times? The 24-hour access was a godsend.
- (Desserts in restaurant): Had a few. Too good.
- (International cuisine in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant): Plenty of choices.
- (Bottle of water): Yep.
- (Snack bar): Had a snack there!
Services & Conveniences: The Extras (or, The Perks That Make Life Easier)
- (Concierge, Doorman): Extremely helpful and friendly.
- (Daily housekeeping): Absolutely.
- (Laundry service/Dry cleaning/Ironing service): All available.
- (Currency exchange): Always helpful!
- (Luggage storage): Sure.
- (Elevator): Got me where I needed to be!
- (Safety deposit boxes): Yes.
- (Cash withdrawal, Convenience store): Very nice.
- (Outdoor venue for special events): I didn't book any events.
For the Kids, Babysitting Service: I did not require this, but it was noted.
Getting Around:
- (Car park [free of charge]): Big plus!
- (Airport transfer) did not use.
- (Taxi service): Plenty to choose from.
**The Verdict: Would I Go Back? (The Truth
Winnipeg's BEST Hotel Deal: Fairfield Inn & Suites!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is the Ann Arbor adventure, Microtel edition, seen through the bleary, slightly-caffeinated eyes of yours truly. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, questionable decisions, and the occasional existential crisis. Let’s get messy!
Day 1: Arrival, Ann Arbor Ambitions, and the Mystery of the Microtel Microwave
- 1:00 PM - Landed at Detroit Metro (DTW). Ugh, airports. I swear, they're designed to make you feel like a herd animal. Luggage felt like a personal vendetta. Found my rental car (blessedly, not a tiny, death-trap SmartCar) and navigated the highway with the grace of a caffeinated squirrel. The GPS lady, bless her digital heart, kept calling me "Samantha," which, for the record, is not my name.
- 2:30 PM - Checked into Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ann Arbor. Okay, first impressions: It's…Microtel. Clean enough, vaguely beige, a portal into the Midwest. The lobby smells faintly of chlorine and regret (just kidding…mostly). The receptionist seemed tired, which, honestly, same.
- 3:00 PM - Exploratory Reconnaissance of the Room. I gotta be honest, hotel rooms are a microcosm of life. Here's what I assessed upon entering:
- Bed: Appears to be a bed. I’ll assess its comfort level later.
- TV: Probably works. Probably has cable. Probably can avoid reality for a few hours.
- Bathroom: Clean-ish. The shower curtain? Its design is… an abstract interpretation of seashells, perhaps? I'm not judging.
- MOST IMPORTANT: Microwave. Ah, the key to cheap eats and late-night snacks. I attempted to operate the microwave, and immediately failed. The instructions were vague, possibly written in Martian. Aggghhh! The first real hurdle. Is this how my stay will be?
- 4:00 PM - Ann Arbor Wanderings (Semi-Functional). Okay, time to be a tourist! I decided to get a lay of the land. I attempted to walk to the University of Michigan campus, but got distracted by a delightful (and completely unnecessary) detour to a used bookstore. Five books later, a feeling of accomplishment flooded my body. Then, I got lost. Apparently, Ann Arbor is a maze designed to confuse even the most seasoned traveler.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner at [Name of Restaurant - I forgot to write it down!]. Deep breaths. I located a restaurant. I swear, I should've written it down. The food was… okay. Mostly edible. The waitress, bless her, seemed utterly bewildered by me. I spilled half my water on the table. The waiter gave me a concerned look, as if I'd committed a major crime.
- 7:30 PM - Unsuccessfully Attempting to Microwave Something. Back at the hotel. The microwave saga continues! I really, REALLY wanted to eat something that didn't taste like cardboard. I spent a solid 45 minutes wrestling with the microwave, reading the instructions again and again, and muttering under my breath. Giving up, I decided to just go to bed.
Day 2: University Vibes, Culinary Chaos, and the Existential Dread of a Hotel Breakfast
- 8:00 AM - The Hotel Breakfast Experience. Ugh. The classic hotel breakfast: A symphony of questionable processed food. The usual suspects. The scrambled eggs? Questionable. The "sausage"? I suspect it's made of compressed space dust. The coffee? Strong, but tastes vaguely of dirt. I opted for a sad, dry waffle, because, sometimes, you just need a waffle. I also befriended a grumpy old man who kept eyeing my plate of waffles with suspicion.
- 9:00 AM - Ann Arbor Campus Exploration (Part 2: Actually Finding Landmarks). Okay, second attempt at the University. After consulting a map this time (and resisting the urge to buy another questionable map), I managed to find the Law Quad. It's impressive, grand, and made me feel suddenly inadequate. Wandered through the Diag, and saw the Big House (aka, the football stadium). I have no idea about football, but I could still appreciate the sheer scale of the place.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch at [Name of Restaurant - I swear, I'll get better at this!]. I managed to find a place. There was this awesome burger. Honestly, this burger was the best experience of the trip. I could eat a better burger from a fast-food place, but whatever.
- 1:30 PM - Bookstore Pilgrimage (Again). I had to go back to the bookstore. I can't explain it. The smell of old books, the quiet hum of the place, the promise of potential knowledge. Decided to get another book. It was an impulse buy, but hey, it's my adventure.
- 3:00 PM - Nap. This is not an optional element of the plan. I had a nap.
- 4:00 PM - Culinary Disaster. I had intended to explore the "food scene" of Ann Arbor. It's not that hard to look up places, is it? After a search, I tried finding a specific restaurant. I got lost for 50 minutes. Found another place. Then I ordered food. And I'm not sure what happened. I wasn't feeling food. So I canceled. Then, I ate a bag of chips.
Day 3: Leaving, Reflections, and the Lingering Smell of Chlorine
- 8:00 AM - Another Breakfast, Another Existential Crisis. Repeat from Day 2, with a slight increase in the overall feeling of "meh."
- 9:00 AM - Last minute attempt to find the shops. Didn't buy anything. I was out of ideas.
- 10:00 AM - Packing and Departure. Packing is a necessary evil. I was dreading it. I had accumulated a small mountain of souvenirs (mostly books) and a growing sense of, well… everything. The hotel room felt emptier, and still smelled a little bit like chlorine.
- 11:00 AM - Departure. Got on the road. The GPS lady, still "Samantha," gave me a friendly farewell.
- Afterward - Reflections. I left Ann Arbor with a car full of books, a newfound appreciation for the sheer randomness of life, and a deep, burning hatred of hotel microwaves.
In short: Ann Arbor, you were weird, wonderful, and a little bit confusing. The Microtel, you were… well, a Microtel. But hey, I survived. And, against all odds, I’ll never forget it.
Healdsburg Hotel Bliss: Your Dream Getaway Awaits!
Okay, breathe. Seriously, just... b r e a t h e. Feeling lost is, like, the *default* setting, right? Choosing a thing, whether it's a new toaster or a whole damn car, is a minefield. My advice? Start simple. What's the absolute *minimum* you NEED? Like, if you just need something to, I don't know, *toast bread* then don't get caught up in all the fancy settings. Trust me, I learned this the hard way. I once spent two weeks researching the perfect air fryer only to realize I just wanted to crisp up some leftover pizza. A $20 basic model would have been fine! Also, read reviews, *but*... take them with a grain of salt. Everyone's a critic! And people are weird. One woman gave a blender one star because it didn't automatically make her smoothie, which, come on!
Ugh, unexpected charges. My sworn enemy! First, don't panic (easier said than done, I know). Then, immediately check your statements. Sometimes it's something you forgot about - like that subscription to "Cat Yoga Monthly". (Don't judge. It's *relaxing*.) If it's a mistake, contact the vendor and your bank or credit card company *immediately*. The longer you wait, the harder it is to dispute it. Pro tip: Keep all your receipts, even for stuff you think is trivial. You'll thank me later. And, honestly? Consider setting up alerts on your accounts so you get notified of every transaction. I swear, I almost missed a fraudulent charge for $500 once. Would have been a *disaster* if I wasn't so on top of it!
Oh, sweetness, this one hits close to home. I BROKE a new, *expensive* coffee maker last month. Facepalm emoji, every day. Accidents happen, and it utterly *sucks* when they happen with your shiny new things. Figure out if it's covered under warranty, but realistically, if you straight-up *broke* it, you're probably SOL. It depends on the item and the damage. If the damage is obvious, it might not be a warranty issue. I once tried to return a blender to a store, because I broke it, I claimed on the warranty and they actually looked at me like I had three heads. Sometimes you can call the company and just beg. Sometimes you just have to learn a hard lesson. And buy a new one. Learn from my mistakes: read the instructions *before* you start playing with your new toy!
Alright, billing issues? The absolute *bane* of my existence, and I bet yours too. First, deep breaths. It *feels* like a personal affront, but it's rarely malicious. Okay, so first things first: Gather all your evidence. That means receipts, account statements, emails, anything that proves your case. Don't just wing it. Make sure you know *exactly* what you're disputing and why. Next, contact the company *immediately*. I prefer a phone call; it's easier to get things sorted out, and you can usually talk to a human (eventually). Be polite, but firm. I used to get flustered and start rambling, but now I come prepared, and I have everything at my fingertips. Also, write down the name of the person you speak to, the date, and the time. Makes it harder for them to brush you off. If they don't resolve it, escalate it. Get a supervisor, file a complaint. Also, for some companies, taking it to social media works like magic, though I'm not a huge fan of blowing things up publicly. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you'll get a sympathetic representative who actually helps. And you'll feel... mildly vindicated. Oh, and keep copies of EVERYTHING. Always.
Ah, the dreaded post-warranty malfunction. This is where you truly learn about the fine art of... acceptance. Look, if the warranty is over, you're pretty much on your own. Depending on the price of the item, you've got a few options:
- Try to fix it yourself (if you're handy – I am *not*). YouTube is a treasure trove of DIY repair videos, but proceed with caution. You might make things worse, and then you're really screwed.
- Take it to a repair shop – Again, if it's expensive, it might be worth it. Get multiple quotes and be prepared for sticker shock. Sometimes the repair costs more than the item is worth.
- Replace it. This is the option I usually end up with because I'm useless at fixing things. Grumble, curse, and buy a new one. Learn from the experience. Decide what to do *before* it dies.
Okay, so a good product return, from the buyers side is *ALWAYS* a good thing. From the stores side? Depends on the store, what's been used, and how much time has passed. It varies a lot! First obvious thing, the product still needs to be in decent condition. If you went *absolutely berserk* on it, maybe it's not returnable. Second, the return window. It's your fault if you missed the window in the first place, but it also depends on the store. Third, returning it the right way. Put it in its original packaging if you can. Have your receipt handy. Be polite. Nobody likes a Karen.
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