Escape to Detroit: Farmington Hills' BEST Hotel Deal!
Escape to Detroit: Farmington Hills' BEST Hotel Deal? – A (Brutally) Honest Review
Okay, so "Escape to Detroit" in Farmington Hills. The name itself is kind of… optimistic, right? More like "Escape to the Suburbs of Detroit," but hey, I'm here, I'm checked in, and I'm ready to see if this place actually lives up to the hype of being "BEST." Let's dive in, shall we? Buckle up, because this is going to be a rollercoaster, folks.
Accessibility:
Right off the bat, a big thumbs up. They've got the basics covered. Wheelchair accessible entrances and facilities? Check. Elevator? Double check. This is huge, and it makes me feel a lot better knowing anyone can theoretically enjoy what this place has to offer. I didn't test it to the limit – I'm ambulatory and thankfully not in a wheelchair – but I did make a mental note of the ramps and wide doorways. Facilities for disabled guests are listed, meaning there's a commitment. Good start, "Escape to Detroit."
Cleanliness and Safety: Holy Moly, Did They Go Overboard (in a Good Way!)
This is where "Escape to Detroit" really surprised me. Let's talk about COVID, because, let's be real, it's still a thing. Forget "basic precautions;" these guys went full-on HAZMAT team. They’ve clearly invested heavily, and it shows (though I secretly, fleetingly, miss some of the charmingly gritty pre-pandemic hotel vibes).
- Anti-viral cleaning products? You betcha.
- Daily disinfection in common areas? Yep, saw it with my own eyes. They have a team dedicated to this task.
- Hand sanitizer everywhere. Like, strategically placed.
- Rooms sanitized between stays? Absolutely. They even offer room sanitization opt-out available meaning you can opt out of the cleaning service. I love flexibility.
- Staff trained in safety protocol? Seemed like it. Polite, efficient, and masked up.
- Cashless payment service? Naturally.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter? Mostly adhered to.
- Safe dining setup? They've got it down.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items? Definitely. (I peeked, don’t judge me)
- Individually-wrapped food options? Yes, the world has changed. Sigh.
Now, the downsides of this hyper-cleanliness? Well, it does feel a bit clinical. A little… sterile, maybe? The aroma of the cleaning products permeates everything. But hey, it’s a small price to pay for being safe. And the sheer volume of effort they put in is honestly impressive. Maybe a little too much effort? I almost felt guilty breathing the air after seeing the level of cleaning. Okay, I AM being dramatic. But, the place looks pristine.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Feast or Famine (Mostly Feast)
Okay, so food. Because, let's face it, a hotel’s reputation can rise or fall on how well-fed you are.
Restaurants: Plural! And they're open. Big points.
Breakfast [buffet]: They had a good breakfast buffet. They had the usual suspects, like eggs, bacon, and pastries. I dove in headfirst. And hey, it’s free with the room.
Breakfast takeaway service: Yes. Very good for busy travelers.
A la carte in restaurant: Yes
Coffee/tea in restaurant & Coffee shop: Good. More good
Bar: Yes. The bar was pretty cool. Relaxing.
Poolside bar: No, I will say, I wanted a poolside bar, but no. I mean, I guess it’s Detroit… but still.
Room service [24-hour]: This is a savior
Buffet in restaurant: Good as well.
Alternative meal arrangement: Yes
Desserts in restaurant: Yes
Salad in restaurant: Yes
Soup in restaurant: Yes
International cuisine in restaurant: Yes
So, the food is there. It's plentiful. You won’t go hungry.
Services and Conveniences: The Nitty Gritty
- Air conditioning in public area & Available in all rooms: Yes, thank goodness.
- CCTV in common areas & CCTV outside property: Great
- Check-in/out [express] & Check-in/out [private]: Good
- Concierge: They were helpful
- Currency exchange: They have it
- Daily housekeeping: Yes, and they did a good job
- Elevator: Also, yes!
- Facilities for disabled guests: Covered.
- Food delivery: Yes
- Front desk [24-hour]: Very important
- Ironing service & Ironing facilities: Yes
- Laundry service: Yes
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, & Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! All good
- Car park [free of charge] & Car park [on-site]: Excellent
- Taxi service: Available
- Car power charging station Yes
- Wake-up service: Yes
The biggest plus? The Wi-Fi. Fast, reliable, and FREE. No more of those awful hotel Wi-Fi charges! Thank you.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day, Anyone?
This is where "Escape to Detroit" really shines.
- Swimming pool: Multiple, including a lovely Swimming pool [outdoor]. It was a godsend.
- Sauna, Steamroom, Spa, Spa/sauna: Yup. All the sweaty goodness.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Yup. I tried, I really tried. I failed but I appreciated having it.
- Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap: Yes, they had it all.
I went for the massage. And let me tell you – it was divine. Seriously, one of the best massages I’ve ever had. The masseuse listened to my woes (I have a job that comes with a lot of neck stiffness), and she worked her magic. I felt… well, I felt like a new person. Worth the whole trip.
- Pool with view Yes. But, again, are we in Detroit or Malibu?
For the Kids: Family Friendly or Just Tolerant?
- Babysitting service: Yes.
- Kids facilities: Yes.
- Kids meal: Yes.
- Family/child friendly: Yes.
This place clearly caters to families. I saw kids of all ages running around, splashing in the pool, and generally having a blast. Sounds like a great place for a family getaway.
The Rooms: Cozy or Clutter?
- Air conditioning: Yes
- Non-smoking rooms: Yes.
- Additional toilet, & Additional toilet: Yes
- Alarm clock: Yes
- Bathrobes: Yes
- Bathtub: Yes
- Blackout curtains: Yes
- Closet: Yes
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes
- Free bottled water: Yes
- Hair dryer: Yes
- In-room safe box: Yes
- Internet access – wireless: Yes
- Minibar: Yes
- Refrigerator: Yes
- Satellite/cable channels: Yes
- Seating area: Yes
- Separate shower/bathtub: Yes If you are a person like me who likes to relax at the end of the day, this hotel has everything, and is probably "detroit's best deal."
Overall:
"Escape to Detroit" is a solid choice. It's clean, safe, has all the amenities you could want, and the staff is genuinely helpful. The massage was phenomenal. The food is solid. The location is convenient. It's probably not the most exciting hotel in the world, but it's a reliable, comfortable, and well-equipped base of operations. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Especially if you need to "Escape." And hey, maybe the name is perfect after all. It's a darn good escape to the suburbs, and from the looks of the place, I'm guessing that's exactly what they went for.
Escape to Green Bay: Downtown Luxury at Residence Inn!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This ain't your perfectly curated travel blog. This is… me trying to wrangle a trip at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Detroit Farmington Hills, MI, and probably failing spectacularly. But hey, at least it'll be honest.
Trip: Fairfield Follies - A Detroit Pilgrimage (or, "How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Outlet Mall")
Day 1: Arrival & The Existential Dread of Hotel Carpet
1:00 PM: Touchdown at Detroit Metro Airport. "Welcome to Detroit!" the sign chirped. I wanted to hug it. After a harrowing layover in… let's not talk about it… I was here. I'm immediately questioning all life choices. Are the wings on this flight even REAL?
1:45 PM: Rental car pickup. I'm notorious for getting lost. I mean, really lost. So, I'm terrified of driving in Detroit. But GPS to the rescue! (Hopefully).
2:30 PM: Arrive at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Farmington Hills. It's… clean. Which is a win. But OH GOD, the carpet. That standard hotel carpet. The one that’s seen things. Things you don't want to know about. I swear, it smells faintly of sadness, stale coffee and unspoken regrets. Already contemplating whether to bring my hazmat suit.
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Unpack. Immediately spill coffee on the (clean!) bedspread. Muttering about the carpet. Discover the glorious free Wi-Fi. Bless the internet gods.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Reconnaissance. Wandering the hotel. Locate the gym. Look at the gym. Immediately decide against the gym. Maybe tomorrow. (Spoiler alert: "tomorrow" is a lie.)
6:00 PM: Dinner. Debating between the "nearby" options. Deciding to brave a local (non-chain, fingers crossed) restaurant, if I can find one that delivers. (Spoiler Alert: I get hangry and I will eat whatever is closest and most accessible!)
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Dinner arrives (eventually). I eat what I can, and the rest goes in the fridge- which is a real perk of this hotel! I get my food!
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Staring out the window. Thinking about the carpet. Maybe a good book… and maybe a strong cocktail. The latter wins.
9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Bed and Netflix. Praying the carpet doesn't give me nightmares.
Day 2: Outlet Malls, Bad Decisions, and the Art of Pretending to be Cultured
8:00 AM: Wake up feeling…surprisingly okay! The carpet's not haunted…yet. Breakfast: the free continental kind. Generic, but fuel. I'll take it.
9:00 AM: The real mission begins. The Outlet Mall. After an hour of struggling with driving and traffic, I finally make it. This is what I've planned for?
9:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Outlet Mall Black Hole. This place is a vortex! I find myself surrounded by deals, and other people with the same glazed over expression. I buy things I don't need, things I probably won't wear, and things I definitely don't have room for. It's a glorious, chaotic, retail therapy-fueled free-for-all. I'm pretty sure I saw a toddler shedding a tear next to a rack of discounted hoodies. He got me.
1:00 PM: Lunch at the food court. Regret the questionable pizza choice.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Head to the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). I want to be cultured and not all retail! I see some art and attempt to have opinions. I pretend to understand the abstract stuff. I fail miserably, but I pretend. "Intriguing brushstrokes!" I declare, hoping someone will think I'm smart. (They probably don’t).
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: More art, even more pretending. I may need another nap.
6:00 PM: Dinner. Ordering pizza (again). Don’t judge me. I’m tired.
7:00 PM: Back to the hotel. More Netflix. Realizing I have to pack up tomorrow. I don't want to think about it. The carpet is starting to win.
Day 3: Farewell, Faint Dust Mites, and the Road Ahead
8:00 AM: Wake up. Another free breakfast. Maybe this time I'll try the…waffles? (I won't).
9:00 AM: Pack! Sort of. Realize I bought way too much at the outlet mall. Somehow cram it all into my suitcase. Wonder if I can leave some things at the hotel. Briefly consider becoming a permanent resident of the carpet-land.
10:00 AM: Last minute checks. Did I leave my…sock? My wallet? My sanity?
11:00 AM: Check out. Say a reluctant goodbye to the carpet. Maybe I'll miss it. (I won't).
11:30 PM: Back to the airport. More questioning of life choices. Mostly the pizza. And the carpet.
12:00 PM: Flight home. Contemplating the meaning of life. And if I spent too much at the outlet mall. (I did).
Final Thoughts:
Detroit, you were…an experience. The Fairfield Inn & Suites, you were…a hotel. And the carpet…well, you were unforgettable. I may need therapy.
But hey! I survived. And that, my friends, is a travel victory. Until the next time.
Raleigh-Durham Airport's BEST Kept Secret: Days Inn Morrisville!
Escape to Detroit: Farmington Hills' BEST Hotel Deal?! (Let's See...) - Your Burning Questions Answered (Maybe)
Okay, Okay, So... Is This "BEST" Deal REALLY the BEST? Like, Truly, Madly, Deeply?
Alright, buckle up, because honey, that "BEST" is subjective as heck. Let's be real, "best" depends on what tickles your fancy. Are you a luxury-snob, a budget-baller, or somewhere delightfully in between (like me! My bank account weeps, but my soul craves a good deal.)?
Look, I'll be honest. I've stayed at places that promised the stars and delivered... well, maybe a dim, flickering bulb. Then I've stumbled upon absolute gems that made me a believer. This Farmington Hills deal? I've gotta say… it *could* be great. It *could* be a total steal. It *could* also leave you feeling like you paid too much for a slightly-better-than-motel-6 experience.
The price is usually competitive, I've checked! And the location is pretty decent – close to, like, everything in Farmington Hills. But the *ambiance*? Well, that's the wild card, isn't it? Is it gonna be sparkling clean? Cozy? Or is it gonna smell faintly of chlorine and desperation? I’m betting on the former, but you know… life. Expect the unexpected, right?
My verdict: It warrants a closer look. Read the fine print. Read the *reviews* (and take them with a grain of salt, because people are weird, bless their hearts). Then, and only then, decide if it's *your* "best." For *me*? Still researching!
What's the Catch? There's Always a Catch, Right? Spill the Tea!
Gosh, you're psychic! Yes, there *usually* is a catch. It's the cosmic law of hotel deals. Here’s what I'd be looking for, based on my personal hotel-deal-detective experience:
- Hidden Fees: "Resort fees," "facility fees," "urban fees"... they're all designed to quietly empty your wallet. Look for them, and factor 'em in! I once got hit with a $25 "mandatory cleaning fee" on top of a already-pricy room. I was *not* happy.
- Fine Print Restrictions: Is it non-refundable? Can you change dates? Are there blackout dates? Read. The. Fine. Print. Unless you enjoy a side of misery with your vacation.
- "Limited Time" Offers: This is a classic! It's probably not *truly* that limited. But it might be… if you’re like me, and spend far too long researching and then the deal is GONE. Do your due diligence, but pull the trigger if it seems solid (and you're not prone to decision-making paralysis, like certain people I know.)
- The "Room with a View" That Actually Faces a Brick Wall: I've seen it happen. Don't be swayed by flowery descriptions. If you can, CALL the hotel and ask to verify the view... or just be prepared to laugh. (Or cry.)
And a secret: Sometimes, the "catch" is simply that the hotel's slightly outdated. Which, you know, might not be a deal-breaker if you're prioritizing budget over, say, a super-fancy, modern vibe. Just. Be. Aware.
Okay, Let's Talk Parking. Free? Paid? Am I Gonna Be Wrangling for a Spot at 3 AM?
Parking! The bane of every road-tripper's existence, especially in urban(ish) areas. I'm guessing the deal *probably* includes parking, but... don't assume! That's hotel-deal mistake number one.
If parking is *not* included: Sigh. Prepare to factor in extra costs. Is there a public parking garage nearby? Street parking? (Good luck finding any *free* street parking in Farmington Hills, by the way. I've tried.) Remember to account for this in your budget. If there’s like a $20/night parking fee, that adds up fast!
If parking *is* included, BUT there are limited spots: This is where your inner parking-spot ninja needs to awaken! Get there early, especially if you're arriving late at night. Be strategic. Do NOT circle endlessly, like I sometimes do. (It's embarrassing.) Look for the most accessible spots.
My Parking Anecdote (Brace Yourself): I stayed at a place once in another city (not Farmington Hills... this time!) that *said* parking was included. Turns out, it was *shared* with a busy bar. I arrived at 11 PM, and the lot was a chaotic free-for-all. After 30 minutes of fruitless circling, I was forced to park, illegally, and endure a night of sheer panic, worrying about getting towed. I did NOT sleep well. Lesson learned: inquire *specifically* about parking arrangements. Don't be like me.
Are There Any Hidden Perks? Pool? Free Breakfast? A Massage Chair You Can Hog for Hours?
Ah, the sweet, sweet perks. These are the things that can elevate a "good" deal to a "HECK YES!" situation.
Think about your priorities: Is a pool essential? (Especially if you're traveling with kids, or if, like me, you secretly want to pretend you're on a tropical getaway even in Michigan). Free breakfast? A godsend if you're trying to save money (or just hate cooking on vacation – also me!). A gym? Well, let's be honest, I *intend* to use it... but rarely do. But still, nice to have the option, right?
What to look for:
- Free Breakfast: Check the reviews! Is it a continental breakfast of sad pastries, or a glorious buffet with waffles and all the fixings? A good breakfast can seriously boost your mood.
- Pool/Hot Tub: Essential for relaxation! But read the reviews to make sure they're clean and well-maintained. Nothing's worse than a murky pool experience.
- Wi-Fi: Hopefully, this is standard, but double-check! Especially if you need to work (or just stay connected to the world... no judgment).
- Other Amenities: Some places have fitness centers, business centers, laundry facilities... See what tickles your fancy.
Okay… that massage chair hypothetical? I’m now *officially* on the lookout for a hotel for that. If I find one, I'm booking a month. Wish me luck!
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