Escape to Detroit: Your Dream Stay at Residence Inn!
Okay, buckle up, because we're diving headfirst into my very opinionated review of the Residence Inn in Detroit. Forget the cookie-cutter hotel reviews; this is going to be a ride. Think less Hemingway, more… well, me after a few too many espressos.
Escape to Detroit: Your Dream Stay at Residence Inn! – My Unfiltered Take
Let's be honest, Detroit can be a bit… intense, right? You're in a city with a rich history, a gritty vibe, and a whole lot of soul. You need a good basecamp. And, the Residence Inn? Well, let's just say it's got its moments.
First Impression: The Accessibility Angle (Because That's Important!)
Okay, let's start with the good stuff. Accessibility? That's HUGE for me. I'm always looking for places that actually get it. The Residence Inn seems to try. Wheelchair accessible? Check. Elevator? Double check. I didn't personally use any mobility aids, but I did notice the effort was made. The facilities for disabled guests are listed, but I can't personally vouch for how thoroughly they deliver (I just get annoyed when places don't even try).
Internet - The Modern-Day Essential
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! THANK GOD. Seriously. Because let's face it, trying to work or unwind without Wi-Fi is like trying to knit with mittens on. The Wi-Fi in public areas seemed solid too (I occasionally escaped the room for a change of "scenery" – namely, a comfy armchair). Internet [LAN]? Honestly, I didn't even know that was till I was researching… I'm a Wi-Fi girl, through and through. Internet services are listed, but again, I barely looked further than the speed and signal.
The "Things to Do" and "Ways to Relax" – Okay, Let's Get Real…
Now we hit the category I actually care about… the "chill out" zone. This is where things get interesting.
- Swimming pool [outdoor] and Pool with a view? It's Detroit. Outdoor pools can be a dicey proposition, especially in the off-season, BUT for when the weather is good, that's a huge win! I didn't see a view-view, but it did sound lovely!
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Yes, yes, and more yes. I'm a fitness fanatic, so this is a BIG plus. You know, gotta work off all that Detroit-style pizza somehow.
- Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Sauna, Massage, Foot bath, Body scrub, Body wrap: Now this is the stuff of dreams. I didn't see any of these at this particular Residence Inn, I hate when places list these even though they're not there.
- Steamroom, Sauna, Massage, Foot bath, Body scrub, Body wrap: Now wait a minute… I'm craving a steamroom! And I really wish there was a massage.
Cleanliness and Safety – Because the World!
Let's breathe a sigh of relief. The Residence Inn seems to take hygiene seriously. They have Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, and Sterilizing equipment. Frankly, I'm relieved. Makes me feel slightly safer. Okay, very safer.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Fueling the Adventures!
This is where my memories get a little hazy. Okay, very hazy. After all, I'm supposed to be reviewing the dining experience!
- Breakfast service? The usual suspects: Breakfast [buffet], Asian breakfast, Western breakfast. Honestly, I love a good hotel breakfast buffet. Eggs, bacon, a mountain of pastries… I could eat breakfast all day. But this one felt… ordinary. Not bad, not life-changing.
- Restaurants, a la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine, International cuisine, Vegetarian restaurant? I didn't really see a variety. Nothing to complain about.
- Coffee shop, Bar, Poolside bar, Snack bar: Didn't see any of the options listed.
- Room service [24-hour]? YES. Now we're talking. 24-hour room service is a lifesaver, especially when you're working late or just feeling lazy. Sometimes you need that burger at midnight!
Services and Conveniences – The Stuff That Makes Life Easier
This is the "hidden gem" section. The little things that can make or break a stay.
- Air conditioning in public area: YES.
- Business facilities, Meeting stationery, Seminars: All there, not that I needed to, but the listing implies a business traveler will be comfy.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange: Okay, handy.
- Concierge: Sometimes these are lovely and helpful! Sometimes they're only helpful if you're a high roller.
- Contactless check-in/out? YAS.
- Convenience store, Gift/souvenir shop: Good for those last-minute needs.
- Doorman: Ah, fancy!
- Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service: Thank goodness for these.
- Elevator, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes: Standard, but essential.
For the Kids – Because Even Grown-Ups Need a Break, Sometimes
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: I didn't actually need any of this, but I'm glad they're there.
Rooms: The Inner Sanctum – Where the Magic Happens (Hopefully)
Okay, let's talk about the actual room. This is where you spend most of your time, after all.
Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The bed was comfy (essential!). The blackout curtains were AMAZING. I slept like a log.
The refrigerator was a lifesaver for storing snacks and drinks.
I did see a private bathroom but I'm not sure if a bathroom phone was included.
The desk and laptop workspace was perfect for my work.
The view? Okay, it wasn't exactly postcard-worthy, but hey, I'm in Detroit, not the Swiss Alps!
Getting Around – Airport Transfers, Car Parking, and the Great Outdoors
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: If you're driving, parking is relatively easy. Public transport? Well, good luck. Detroit.
- You can walk or rent a bike (though I'd be cautious doing so), but honestly, a car is probably your best bet.
The Quirks and the Imperfections: My Honest Take
Look, the Residence Inn isn’t perfect. It's not the Ritz, and it doesn’t pretend to be. The service was generally fine, but at times felt a little… perfunctory. It's clean, it's comfortable, and it's located well.
The Verdict: Escape to Detroit: Your Dream Stay at Residence Inn!
Overall? I'd stay here again. It's a solid choice, especially if you're looking for a reliable, comfortable base of operations.
SEO-Boosted Offer: Your Detroit Adventure Awaits!
Ready to explore the Motor City? Look no further than the Residence Inn in Detroit! Experience comfort, convenience, and the perfect launching pad for your Detroit adventure.
- Unwind in our spacious, well-appointed rooms with free Wi-Fi, premium amenities.
- Stay connected with lightning-fast internet for work or play – ideal for remote workers or business travelers!
- Enjoy a complimentary breakfast to fuel your day of exploring the city's iconic museums, vibrant cultural scene, and delicious dining experiences.
- Convenient location puts you near
Alright, alright, settle in, buttercups. You’re about to get a glimpse into my brain-dump of a travel itinerary for… drumroll … the Residence Inn Detroit Sterling Heights Clinton Township! Don't judge, okay? It's not the Amalfi Coast, but hey, it’s where I landed, and that’s what makes it me. Buckle up, it’s gonna be a bumpy, beautiful ride:
Day 1: Arrival & The Eternal Quest for Coffee
1:00 PM: Arrive at Detroit Metro Airport (DTW). Honestly, that airport is FOREVER. Seriously, feels like I walked a marathon just to get to baggage claim. (Emotional reaction: mild annoyance escalating to existential dread). The flight was… well, it was a flight. You know. Cramped, recirculated air, the whole shebang. Ate those tiny airplane pretzels. They were, as always, aggressively salty.
2:00 PM: Pick up rental car. (Anxiety level: HIGH. I’m a terrible parallel parker. Pray for me.) The car rental place was a CHAOS of stressed people, and the lady at the counter looked like she'd seen things. Decided I wouldn't push my luck with an upgrade.
2:45 PM: Drive to Residence Inn. Sigh. Seriously, is there anything more depressing than an endless strip of chain stores on the way to your hotel? (Quirky observation: The endless sea of chain restaurants felt like America in a nutshell - safe, familiar, and deeply unsatisfying).
3:30 PM: Check into Residence Inn. The room? Fine. Standard. Clean enough, I guess. (Emotional reaction: apathy mixed with vague dissatisfaction. The sheets looked clean, but did they feel clean? The world may never know).
3:45 PM: This is crucial: FIND COFFEE. I’m not even kidding. This is priority FREAKING NUMBER ONE. Scrounged around the hotel's "pantry" – instant coffee only…NO! This is an emergency. (Emotional reaction: mild panic).
4:00 PM: Coffee run. Found a Starbucks a few blocks away. Victory! (Emotional reaction: euphoric relief. Literally almost cried). Watched the barista meticulously create my latte. Watched the sunrise in my soul.
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Unpack (sort of) and try to get my bearings. The TV remote is a modern marvel of confusing buttons. Played around a bit, watched some terrible reality TV (don’t judge, I was EXHAUSTED). Scrolled through terrible dating apps. Deleted terrible dating apps.
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner at a local place. I opted for a place called "Buffalo Wild Wings" because it sounded… well, it sounded. The wings were… well, again, they were wings. The service was friendly, though. Always a plus. (Anecdote: I accidentally ordered the “Blazin’ Wings” and nearly set my mouth on fire. Learned a valuable lesson about reading the small print).
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Back to the hotel, watched some more bad TV, and tried to plan the next day. Fell asleep on the couch.
Day 2: The Sterling Heights Shuffle and a Deep Dive (Into a Mall)
7:00 AM: Wake up. Ugh. Seriously, why is the hotel coffee always terrible? (Annoyance level: building). Back to Starbucks. This time, I needed two.
8:00 AM: Decide to hit up a local diner. Found a place called "Leo’s Coney Island" (that's the name of the place, I swear). Ordered the "Classic Coney Dog and Fries" (Opinionated Language: It was fine. It wasn't life-altering, but it filled a hole. The fries were… well, they were fries). The waitress, bless her heart, was a true gem. She knew everyone's order and chatted with everyone like they were family.
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM: This is where things get… interesting. Decision time: where to go? Do I embrace the suburban life? Or go to a museum? I chose the former. Visited a local mall and got lost in the vortex of shopping. (Messy observation: The sheer scale of the American mall is astounding. People were meandering with a strange, determined purpose, searching for… something. What is it about malls?) Got a new pair of jeans. Impulsively bought some bath gel from the scented candle store. (Emotional reaction: a flicker of guilt followed by a wave of pure consumerist bliss).
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch at the mall food court. Ate pizza. It tasted like pizza.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Headed to the local park, a place called "Freedom Hill". Spent a while watching the dog walkers and wondering if the park had to be paid for by taxes or not. I can't recall. (Rambling: Freedom. It's a big word. What does it mean in a place like this? Does it mean parks?).
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Went for a drive. Got semi-lost. Realized I can't read the directions, went back to the hotel.
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Rest. Read. Ate potato chips in bed. Feeling a strange sense of… contentment? (Emotional reaction: a surprising, almost unsettling serenity).
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner at a steakhouse. (Opinionated Language: Steak was okay. The ambiance was… loud. I felt out of place and old. It was a very… American experience).
9:00 PM: Watched more bad TV. Wondered what on earth I’d been doing all day. Went to sleep.
Day 3: The Unexpected Charm of…A Strip Mall? & Departure Prep
7:00 AM: Repeat coffee quest. (Annoyance: escalating).
8:00 AM: Decided to explore more of the area. Headed towards a local strip mall. This sounds horribly boring, I know. BUT. This tiny mall managed to contain a local brewery, a quirky independent bookstore, and a weird "antique mall" that just sold random stuff. (Anecdote: In the bookstore, I overheard a conversation between two people discussing the merits of different kinds of cat food. This is the kind of thing you wouldn't see at home!)
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Spent a couple of hours browsing the bookstore. Bought a book. Enjoyed the peace. (Emotional reaction: genuine, unexpected joy).
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch at the brewery. Food was decent. Atmosphere was lively. Ordered a local beer. (Opinionated Language: Okay, the beer was surprisingly good. Made me feel more at home. Maybe Sterling Heights isn't so bad after all?)
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Back to the hotel to pack. My luggage is a mess.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Did laundry at the hotel. Failed. (Frustration level: maximum).
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Tried to wrap up any last-minute things before departure.
5:00 PM: Final coffee run.
6:00 PM: Headed to Detroit Metro Airport.
7:00 PM: Airport Security: A nightmare. So many people.
8:00 PM: Plane boarding.
9:00 PM: Take off.
Final Thoughts:
So there you have it. A hilariously messy, completely unfiltered account of my trip to Sterling Heights. Was it glamorous? No. Was it profound? Probably not. Did I find moments of unexpected beauty and human connection? Absolutely. Would I go back?… Maybe. But first, I need more coffee. And a therapist. But mostly, coffee.
Escape to Paradise: Paternoster's Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel Awaits
Escape to Detroit: Your (Hopefully) Dream Stay at Residence Inn! - The Uncensored FAQs!
So, like, what *is* this "Residence Inn" thing anyway? Is it actually...nice?
Alright, alright, settle down. Think of Residence Inn as the extended-stay version of your typical hotel. Picture a slightly fancier dorm room... with free breakfast! Yes, the free breakfast is KEY. Honestly, it's decent. They have the usual suspects: scrambled eggs (sometimes they're even...not *too* rubbery!), waffles (make your own, what fun!), and a rotating selection of pastries that range from "surprisingly edible" to "yeah, I think I'll skip that".
It's a good option if you're in town for a week, two, or (God forbid) longer, and need a bit more space than a shoebox room.
Think of it as a place to *escape* to Detroit in, not necessarily *escape* from your life.
Okay, space sounds good. What kind of "space" are we talking? Like, a broom closet with a mini-fridge?
Haha, good one! No broom closets (usually). You get a suite. Imagine a living room with a couch (potentially with questionable stains – always do a quick visual inspection, okay?), a small kitchenette (microwave, fridge, sometimes a stovetop – *bliss*!), and a separate bedroom. They vary, some bigger than others. I once stayed in one where the living room was practically the size of my entire apartment back home. Honestly, I almost didn't want to leave. Almost. Then reality hit: I was still in a hotel in Detroit. But the *space* was glorious.
Free breakfast is a huge plus. But is it ACTUALLY free? And what about coffee? I *need* coffee.
Yes, the breakfast is truly *free*. Bless them. And yes, there's coffee. Industrial-strength, keeps-you-alive, probably-made-in-a-giant-vat coffee. It's not *good* coffee, mind you. Let's be honest. It's hotel coffee. But it's hot, it's caffeinated, and it's available from, like, 6 AM until they mercifully shut it down. They're often using the same thermos for days, too. Just sayin'. I always bring my own K-Cups for the in-room Keurig. Priorities, people, priorities. Also, they *sometimes* have little packets of flavored creamer. Score!
Parking, though. What's the parking situation? I'm envisioning circling the block for an hour...
It *varies*. Some Residence Inns have dedicated parking, sometimes even free. Others... well, let's just say you might get to know your fellow hotel guests pretty well as you desperately hunt for a spot. Read the fine print when you book! Trust me on this. My horror story? I once checked into a Residence Inn near a conference center. Nightmare! They had *valet parking*, which, theoretically, is nice. In reality, it was a clusterf*ck of epic proportions. Waiting times of 45 minutes *just to get your car back*. Ugh. I've never been so grateful for a bus pass in my life. Always Always Always check the parking details.
Alright, let's talk about the staff. Are they friendly? Or are they the kind who look like they've seen too much?
It's a mixed bag, like life itself! You'll encounter everything from genuinely lovely people who go above and beyond (bless those angels!) to... well, folks who might be having a rough day. I’ve had both. Sometimes the staff is *amazing*. One time, I was late for a wedding and they totally helped me out - iron, the works, a lifesaver! Other times, it's been a bit more "business as usual." Just remember to be nice, folks. A little kindness can go a long way. And maybe tip the cleaning crew. They work hard. They really do. They are the reason the rooms don't look like crime scenes.
Any tips for making my stay less...hotel-ish? I wanna feel like I'm *living*, not just existing in a box.
Okay, here's where I get serious (ish). First, unpack! Seriously, ditch the suitcase and make the place *yours*. Bring candles (unscented, please, for the sake of your neighbors). Get groceries and use that kitchenette! It makes a world of difference. And most importantly: *explore Detroit!* The city has so much to offer. Get out of the hotel and find some soul. Go to a concert, eat some real Coney Island food (no pre-made chili!), visit a museum, just... experience Detroit. Otherwise, you're just paying for a slightly bigger box with free breakfast. That's *not* a dream stay, my friends! That's just...a hotel.
What if something goes wrong? Like, REALLY wrong? Lost luggage? Roaches? (Please, God, no roaches...)
Okay, deep breaths. Lost luggage? Call the front desk *immediately*. They should have procedures in place. Roaches? Pray to God that doesn't happen. And if it does? Document everything! Take photos! Demand to be moved to another room (preferably on a higher floor). Speak to the manager. Be polite, but firm. You are paying for a service, and you deserve a clean and comfortable stay. And if it's *really* bad? Consider, I don't know, finding a place that isn't infested with... well, you get the idea. Be prepared to advocate for yourself. That's just basic grown-up life, right? And that's all I can say about that.
Speaking of which… Is it safe? I mean, Detroit *is* Detroit…
Look, let’s be real. Detroit has a reputation. Do your research. Check the hotel’s location. Read recent reviews—like, really recent. Pay attention. Is it near a busy street? Is it well-lit? Talk to people who live there. It's not fair to scaremonger but it's also not helpful to pretend things don't exist. Most Residence Inns are in safer areas, or at least have adequate security. Use common sense. Don't wander around alone at night. Be aware of your surroundings. And always trust your gut. Safety is everyone's responsibility.
Okay, so, the *actual* burning question: Would *you* stay atEasy Hotel Hunt
