A couple of years ago, we stayed at the Best Western pre-flight. I would not recommend it.
My husband and I took a Saturday afternoon trip to DTW that year and did a recon of the hotels available. (I also posted a lengthy summary on this board thereafter.) We thought, for the money, it would be a good option. We should have actually visited a room. The rooms were not in very good shape and we were moved several times to find a room which was unoccupied (yes, they gave us keys to an occupied room) and functional (water pipe to the sink fractured and spewed water all over our luggage). I admit the pool area was fine, but that is about it.
The Four Points Sheraton was also nice and we wished we had booked our stay there.
We have stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott (twice) and it was nice as well. The Crowne was also a good option, although a bit pricier than the Sheraton.
The Clarion was really nasty although the lobby was fine.
Another great place to stay was the Hilton Garden Inn--not too high in price, parking on site available for a minimal fee and the rooms, pool area, and common areas were well maintained.
All of the hotels offered free shuttle service and/or park & fly options.
Here's a copy from my MS Word file of the post I created--the prices would no longer be accurate, since this was two years ago, but we were in the area last summer and the property reviews are accurate. . .
* = Previously stayed
Best Western International Gateway*, park & fly package includes one night accommodations and seven nights free parking at Airlines parking; 734-728-2800; $97 p/night + tax. The property is somewhat older in appearance, but clean. The rooms are small, yet well maintained. It is a larger property with indoor “courtyard or holidome” type area central to the rooms. The courtyard area includes a fitness area, pool, spa, sauna, tanning bed room, video games, and pool—ample seating in the area for relaxation. There is a lounge that opens at 5:00 p.m., banquet facilities, a restaurant that appeared to serve a buffet-type breakfast (perhaps dinner, unsure because there was no obvious information). For a single night before flight it appears adequate with lots of outdoor space (including a covered pavilion, poolside) to relax if the weather is nice. A bit tired, but the staff was friendly and helpful.
Doubletree Hotel (NO LONGER CALLED DOUBLETREE--can't recall it's name, but across from Best Western), park & fly package includes one-night accommodations and eight nights parking at parking lot across the street; 734-467-8000; $159 p/night + tax. Sumptuous surroundings and bedding in a nice sized room. The pool area was comfortable and well maintained although the sauna was not operational when we visited. The pool is an indoor/outdoor pool that allows for sunbathing outside weather permitting. The hotel obviously caters to a seminar/convention crowd and is quite sprawling. There was a nice internet area just off the lobby as well as a restaurant and lounge. Adjacent to the lounge there is a room containing a very nice pool table. Very attractive property and the beds looked great!
Four Points Sheraton, park & fly package includes one night accommodations and eight nights parking at Qwik Park, $109 p/night + tax; 734-729-9000. The Sheraton was undergoing a major renovation of all rooms and common areas—new carpeting, wallpaper, drapes, spreads, etc. We were not able to see an actual room, but did get to see a mock-up of the new interiors—quite attractive. The pool area was on the small side and looked a bit worn. The spa was large and there was a smallish outdoor, fenced area for sunbathing or relaxing. The fitness room had many apparatus and appeared well maintained. The lounge area was quite nice with a tropical type theme and there appeared to be a restaurant of sorts—unsure if it serves anything more than breakfast.
Hilton Garden Inn*, park & fly package includes one night accommodations with 10 days parking (onsite or across the street at a public parking lot), $149 p/night + tax; 734-727-6000. Very nice, tasteful hotel with wonderful complimentary cookies. The rooms are of average size with full-size beds. They were comfortable when we were there and everything was clean. The pool area was nice and had access to a lovely patio area for plane watching or relaxing. The fitness center had basic equipment, but seemed to be attended to with regularity. The lounge is located just off the lobby and just adjacent to the lounge is a “cafeteria-style” restaurant. It seemed that you chose a menu item, placed and order, and it was cooked as you waited. Not clear on the operation of the restaurant although it was serving dinner items when we were there in 2005.
Hampton Inn, park & fly package includes one night accommodations with seven nights parking at Airlines Parking, $125 p/night + tax; 734-721-1100. This is a basic Hampton Inn with an outdoor pool and the usual breakfast service in the a.m. The rooms are clean and standard sized. Very basic hotel and for the price, I’d stay elsewhere.
Crowne Plaza, park & fly package includes one night accommodations with seven nights parking; $142 p/night + tax; 734-729-2600. This property is a “can’t miss” on Merriman. It is a tall triangular shaped building with a glass front and sits on a corner lot. The staff was a bit on the unfriendly side, although we were given access to a room. The room was nice with great bedding (same as Doubletree). The room we viewed had a balcony overlooking the expansive atrium and was a nice feature although there is no seating on the balcony so it is a bit of a waste. The atrium is lovely with many seating areas for quiet time and a pool area/fitness center off to the side. The pool is rather small, but seemed well maintained. There is a nice lounge and an Italian themed restaurant just next to it. The Crowne is a nice hotel that appears to cater to the business traveler although accommodating to families as well. There is a large conference area on the third floor and a huge screen TV in the atrium with comfortable furniture and tables for relaxing.
Courtyard by Marriott*, park & fly package includes one night accommodations with eight days parking across the street at Airlines Parking; $179 p/night + tax; (Marriott 800 # for res). The Courtyard definitely caters to the business traveler although we were comfortable there. The courtyard area was quite nice with gazebos, tables, chairs, loungers, etc. The pool is indoors and on the small side, but very nice. There is a fitness room as well. The restaurant is strictly a breakfast type and there is no “lounge” per se. There are self-serve coolers near the check-in desk, which offer sodas and adult beverages for sale.
Marriott Airport, park & fly package includes one night accommodations and seven days parking; $209 p/night + tax; Marriott 800# for res). This is the upscale Marriott in the area and sits just next to the Courtyard. It is quite lovely and has an indoor and outdoor pool. For the additional $$$--not my cup of tea.
Ramada Inn f/k/a Fairfield Inn*, unsure of the park & fly price at this date; billboard advertises $59 and up p/night. We stayed here when it was a Fairfield and the rooms were adequate. The drawback was the pool is an outdoor “thermal”. While it was quite warm, it was not comfortable because it was too early in June to swim in Detroit although our kids did it.
Northwest Inn, next to Best Western and across from Sheraton, we did not even look at this property because you could transfer the name to “Northworst” and you would have a clear picture of it. The motel is a box with tiny windows and no landscaping on the exterior. Looks can be deceiving, I know, but I did not even want to look at the interior.
