Ann Arbor's Hidden Gem: Eagle Crest Marriott Luxury You NEED to See!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on Ann Arbor's…wait for it…Eagle Crest Marriott! "Hidden Gem" is a bold claim, right? And you NEED to see it? Alright, alright, let's see if this place lives up to the hype. I'm going to be brutally honest, even if that means accidentally spilling coffee on the keyboard (which, let's be honest, is a real possibility).
First off, let's talk about Accessibility. THIS is HUGE, people. I have a friend who uses a wheelchair, and finding truly accessible places is, well, a pain in the posterior. This place gets a thumbs up. They have Facilities for disabled guests, and a big plus: Elevators. I mean, you'd hope, but you'd be surprised. And the Fitness Center has a good layout so the equipment placement is easy to navigate. Rooms themselves are a big win also.
Then there's the Internet. Okay, okay, this is critical in today's world. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! I need my Netflix, my research, my ability to shamelessly stalk people on the internet. And yes, they also have Internet [LAN], which is nice for those who still prefer the old-school wired connection (are there any of you dinosaurs still out there?). Wi-Fi in public areas? Check. Thank heavens, because I can't be disconnected from the world even for a second. The lack of internet would drive me mad so I have to state that this is a massive win for me.
Now, the fun stuff: Things to Do, Ways to Relax. Oh, baby, let’s dive in!
- Spa/Sauna: Yes! They have a Spa, which includes both a Sauna and a Steamroom. Imagine melting your stress away. Pure bliss. My shoulders are already loosening just thinking about it.
- Swimming pool: Swimming pool [outdoor]? Well, that's the catch: it's a Pool with view! Imagine, lounging by the pool with drinks in hand, and admiring the beauty of the landscape. It’s a perfect way to spend your days soaking up the sun and relaxing.
- Fitness center: Gym/fitness. Another massive plus. Great for those of us who like to burn off any excess calories from all the delicious food we'll be eating.
- Massage: Did someone say Massage? Yes please. Because let's face it, we all need a good rubdown now and then.
- Foot bath: Ok this is just luxurious, I love it.
So that's a pretty good start for a place to relax right?
Cleanliness and Safety. Okay, okay, in this post-pandemic world, this is paramount. Listen up!
- Anti-viral cleaning products? Wonderful. I feel safer already.
- Daily disinfection in common areas? Excellent.
- Hand sanitizer? Essential. Don’t even think about it, I carry this everywhere, but it’s good to know it’s readily available.
- Rooms sanitized between stays? Absolutely crucial.
- Safe dining setup? Gotta love this. I want to enjoy my food with peace of mind.
- Staff trained in safety protocol? Great!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking. Now we’re talking! Food is incredibly important, you know? Like, survival and all that.
- Restaurants? Yes, plural. Good start.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant? Interesting! I’m always up for some good sushi or noodles.
- Bar: A bar? I am a sucker for a good bar. Give me a craft cocktail and a comfy chair and I'm happy.
- Poolside bar? YES!
- Room service [24-hour]? Okay, now you have my attention. Midnight pizza cravings? Sorted!
- Breakfast [buffet]? Breakfast is the MOST important meal of the day, and there’s a Breakfast [buffet]. If it has bacon, I, am in.
- Coffee shop? Coffee is my fuel. I need my caffeine fix, pronto!
- Desserts in restaurant? Because life is too short to skip dessert.
- Vegetarian restaurant? Good on them for catering to all palates.
- A la carte in restaurant: Great for customization.
And there is much, much more!
Services and Conveniences: Okay, here's where a hotel really sets itself apart.
- Concierge: A concierge is a lifesaver, especially in a new city. I am a fan.
- Cash withdrawal: Useful for emergencies or dealing with those cash-only restaurants.
- Dry cleaning & Laundry service: Because who wants to do laundry on vacation? Not me.
- Food delivery: Perfect for those lazy days.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Last-minute gift shopping? Yep.
- On-site event hosting: For weddings and events.
- Smoking area: Okay, some people like this, I guess?
- Air conditioning in public area: Essential, especially in the summer.
For the Kids. Not a relevant topic for me, but it’s worth noting that they have Babysitting service, and Kids facilities, etc.
Rooms. Let’s talk about the rooms themselves. This is where the rubber meets the road, as my grandpa used to say.
- Air conditioning: Crucial.
- Blackout curtains: Yes, please. I like my beauty sleep.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential for my morning routine.
- Internet access – wireless: So I can constantly be online.
- Ironing facilities: Because wrinkles are a fashion crime.
- Mini bar: Always a plus.
- Non-smoking: Yes!
- Private bathroom: Obviously.
- Shower: You know, I have a preference for showers over bathtubs, but it’s a Separate shower/bathtub anyway!
- Smoke detector: Peace of mind.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Yay!
- Available in all rooms, desk, desk, mirror, reading light. Basic but essential.
Getting Around.
- Airport transfer: Useful, especially if you have an early flight.
- Car park [free of charge]: This is a huge win for Ann Arbor! Parking can be a nightmare.
- Taxi service: Always good to have.
The Verdict?!
Look, Eagle Crest Marriott isn't perfect. No place is. But for a place that promises luxury, accessibility, safety, and a little bit of everything, this is a strong contender. It's not just a place to stay; it's a whole experience. A slightly imperfect, but overall wonderful experience.
MY CRAZY RECOMMENDATION FOR YOU:
Here's the deal, especially if you work remotely. Imagine this: You arrive at Eagle Crest (after a smooth Airport transfer, of course). You check in with their Contactless check-in/out (because, COVID). You grab a coffee at the Coffee shop, then spend the morning working from your room, taking advantage of that sweet, sweet Free Wi-Fi. Then, after you're done with work, you head to the Spa and Sauna for some serious relaxation. Finish the afternoon with a cocktail at the Poolside bar, followed by dinner (that could be A la carte in restaurant) and finish the night by ordering Room service [24-hour]. Boom! Pure bliss.
My Quirky Observation: I’m genuinely excited about the prospect of that pool. I'm already imagining myself lounging in the sun with a good book, completely oblivious to the worries of the world! And that’s a huge win.
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Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. We're going to Ypsilanti, MI, and we're embracing the chaos. Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest? Sounds fancy. My bank account? Not so much. But hey, that's the charm of travel, right? The constant juggling act of wanting luxury and eating ramen for a week beforehand.
The Messy, Human Itinerary: Ypsilanti Edition
Day 1: Arrival, Awkward Hellos, and the Quest for Decent Coffee
- 1:00 PM - Arrival & Check-In: Alright, so the drive from… wherever I'm coming from (let's just say it's a saga) was a drag. Traffic, screaming kids, and my own anxieties – a lovely trifecta. I stumble into the Marriott, looking like I've wrestled a bear (metaphorically, mostly). The lobby is… well, a lobby. I hope it's not a foreshadowing of the room, which will either be a glorious haven or a portal to the Upside Down. Check-in is a blur of pleasantries. "Welcome! Enjoy your stay!" Right back at ya, pal. Finding the room is a minor victory.
- 1:30 PM - Room Reconnaissance: Okay, the room is… fine. Standard hotel room. Clean-ish. The view is of… something. Probably a parking lot. But hey, at least there's a bed! And a tiny TV that I'll probably never use. The bathroom - which is an important part of a room - is… cleanish. But… the toilet paper situation is… questionable. This might be an adventure in itself.
- 2:00 PM - Coffee Crisis: Coffee. The most important meal of the day… even though it's technically not a meal. Where the heck am I going to find decent coffee around here? Starbucks is right out. No judgment, but I need a shot of authenticity. Research begins. Yelp, Google Maps, the desperate pleas of a caffeine-deprived traveler. Any recommendations? I'm open to suggestions.
- 3:00 PM - The Ypsilanti (Maybe) Scavenger Hunt Attempt: Okay, this is where it gets sketchy. I've got a vague list of "things to see" – the Depot Town area, maybe some quirky shops. The problem? I'm directionally challenged. This "scavenger hunt" is likely to turn into a "wander around aimlessly and get lost repeatedly" situation. The good news? It'll probably produce some good stories.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner & The "Don't Feel Like Cooking" Dilemma: Dinner time. "Feeling like cooking" is a feeling I haven't had in, oh, maybe a decade. So, restaurant research time again. Any local hidden gems around here? Or am I doomed to end up at a chain restaurant, filled with the existential dread of mediocrity? Fingers crossed for something interesting.
- 8:00 PM - Evening Wind-Down (or Total Meltdown): Okay, this is when the travel fatigue hits. Will I gracefully sip a glass of wine in my room, or will I succumb to the allure of the hotel's bar and make a fool of myself by telling a story about a dead goldfish? Too early to tell.
Day 2: The Ypsilanti Experience – Doubling Down
9:00 AM - Coffee Quest Achieved (or Attempted): Found a local coffee shop! This is a major victory, the kind of thing that makes me feel like I’ve conquered Everest. It's called…let's say it's called "The Daily Grind." The coffee is AMAZING. I'm talking, "I might consider moving to Ypsilanti" amazing. I settle into my comfy chair and realize… I'm the only one here not on a laptop, typing away on a deadline. I wonder if I should pretend to be busy too. I’m also in a mood.
10:00 AM - Depot Town Delight (or Disappointment): Okay, here we go. Depot Town. Is it going to be charming? Quaint? Or just a bunch of overpriced boutiques and disappointed promises? I'm steeling myself for either outcome. I saw a store selling vintage clothing and I already know that I'm going to buy some thing I don't need.
12:00 PM - Lunch & The "Lunch Is the Best Meal of the Day" Affirmation: Found a small diner. The burger I ordered was amazing and had a good price. Why is lunch so inherently satisfying? Is it the break from the day? The promise of delicious food without the pressure of dinner? I have no idea, but I'm embracing it wholeheartedly.
1:00 PM - Ypsilanti Historical Museum: Let's get cultural! History. I'm here for it. Or at least, I'm here to pretend I'm here for it. I'm secretly hoping for some juicy gossip about scandalous affairs or hidden treasures.
3:00 PM - The Quest for a Book: Books. My old friends. I want one, but I don't know where there is one near me.
5:00 PM: Double down on the Bar: I am back at the hotel bar - I don't plan to go out tonight. Maybe I'll talk to some of the other customers?
Day 3: Departure, Reflections, and The Search for Snacks
- 9:00 AM - The Last Coffee Run: One last shot of caffeine before hitting the road. Will the baristas remember me? Will this be a "Cheers"-esque situation? Probably not. But the coffee is good. That's all that matters.
- 10:00 AM - Breakfast & The Dreaded Packing: Packing. The ultimate test of travel resilience. Did I bring too much? Not enough? Why are socks always so hard to fold? The world may never know.
- 11:00 AM - Check-Out & Farewell to the Room: Okay, time to say goodbye to the room. Did I leave it in an acceptable state? Did I accidentally steal anything? The paranoia sets in. I hope the cleaning crew doesn't hate me.
- 11:30 AM - Snack Attack: Before heading out, one last mission: snacks. I'm getting those for the road. All of the snacks.
- 12:00 PM - The Journey Home (and Already Planning the Next Trip): The drive back, the memories of Ypsilanti, the things I saw and things I didn't see, the experiences good and bad. On the list of places I want to go? Of course.
There you have it. My messy, human, probably-slightly-over-caffeinated adventure in Ypsilanti. It's not perfect, it's not polished, but it's mine. And hopefully, some of it was relatable. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find more coffee. And maybe a massage. Or a nap. Or all three. Peace out, y'all!
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Ann Arbor's Eagle Crest Marriott: Is It REALLY a Hidden Gem?! Let's Unpack This...
Okay, Seriously, What IS Eagle Crest Marriott? 'Cause I'm picturing stale bagels and sad gym equipment already...
Alright, alright, breathe. Yes, it's a Marriott, so the "luxury" part might have you side-eyeing me. But Eagle Crest in Ann Arbor? It's actually pretty darn nice. Think upscale-ish hotel, but with a golf course (that's kinda the draw, if we're real), decent dining, and generally a vibe that leans more "retreat weekend" than "budget business trip." It's not the Ritz, mind you, but for Ann Arbor, where a decent hotel room can cost you an arm and a leg, it’s a surprisingly good value.
They *do* have a gym... and yeah, some of the equipment is probably older than your grandma. But hey, the pool is decent, and the views from some of the rooms overlooking the golf course are actually... serene. I mean, I've stared out the window, a cup of lukewarm coffee in hand, and genuinely felt a tiny bit of peace. That’s saying something, believe me.
Is that Golf Course Actually Good? Because I'm Terrible at Golf, But I Like to Look Fancy...
Okay, here's the deal on the golf course. I'm with you. I swing the club like a confused octopus, but I *love* the *idea* of golf. The Eagle Crest course is… challenging. Let's put it that way. It's not the easiest course in the world, especially if you're battling wind coming off the… well, whatever body of water is nearby. But it's beautiful, and the scenery is top-notch. The rolling hills, the lush greens… it's a very pretty place to spend a few hours flailing, even if you're mostly picking up your ball and discreetly moving it to a slightly better spot.
My *friend*, on the other hand, is a decent golfer. He *loved* it. He said something about "well-designed holes" and "strategic bunkering." I just saw a beautiful landscape, and a place where I can pretend I know what I'm doing while mostly drinking a beer. Either way, it's a win.
The Food: Is It Hotel Food, or Is There Hope?
Okay, the food. This is where things get a little... unpredictable. They have a few dining options. The main restaurant, whatever it’s called this week – seriously, they change names more often than my socks – is decent. I had a surprisingly good burger there once, though the service was a little… leisurely, to put it kindly. I remember waiting for an eternity for the check, and then finally just getting up and going to the front desk to pay because I was convinced the entire waitstaff had staged a coup and fled to Fiji.
The breakfast buffet? It's a buffet. Eggs, bacon, the usual suspects. Nothing earth-shattering, but it'll fill you up. The coffee is... coffee. Just don't expect Michelin-star quality food and you won’t be disappointed. Low expectations, people. Low expectations.
Amenities: Beyond the Golf, What Else is There?
Hmm, the amenities... The pool is fine. The water is usually a vaguely pleasant temperature. I've splashed around in there with kids many times, so if I'm not screaming it's probably decent. There's also a decent-sized fitness center, although the equipment is getting a little bit dated and there's only so much I can take of the 80s-era machines before my body (and mind!) begs for mercy. They also have a spa, which I've never actually experienced. I'm guessing it's like most hotel spas: overpriced, but with luxurious lotions and dimly lit rooms. One day, I'll probably splurge. Or, more realistically, I'll just stick to the pool and contemplate my questionable golf skills. Oh, and there are a bunch of meeting rooms. So, you know, business stuff. Unless they're all booked, in which case that's quiet for you.
Parking: Is Finding a Spot a Nightmare?
Ah, parking. This is a common hotel complaint. Luckily, for the most part, Eagle Crest is okay. There's a good amount of parking… but I did have ONE NIGHTMARE parking experience and I will never let it go. I was there for a *wedding*, and it was a packed house. I spent, no joke, a solid *twenty minutes* driving around the parking lot like a deranged vulture, searching for a space. I finally ended up parking what felt like a mile away, by some bushes. I was nearly late for the ceremony. And then I had to walk back through pouring rain to get my car the next morning.
So, yeah, usually the parking is fine, but if there's a huge event? Prepare for a bit of a trek. Come on, Marriott, hire some more folks to help out on the busy days!
The Rooms: Clean? Comfortable? Or Closet-Sized?
The rooms are generally good. They're clean, which is obviously the most important thing. The beds are pretty comfortable – I’ve definitely slept better there than on some hotel beds, and also much worse. You're not getting a tiny, cramped shoebox. They're a decent size, especially if you're just looking for a place to crash after...golfing-ing or wedding-ing!
I really liked the bathroom setup in the room I was in. No complaints there, and the water pressure was decent enough. So you can actually tell you've washed your hair.
Is It REALLY "Hidden" Though?
Okay, "hidden gem" is a strong term. It's not like it's a secret club whispered about in hushed tones. ItInfinity Inns
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