Midwest - DTW - hotel near any amenities without travelling far?

I am transiting DTW in a few weeks on a business trip from the UK to LA. The break at DTW is because the location of one regional office is in Flint and is automatically a base for me for co-ordinating colleagues from a number of other locations including overseas who are are funnelling-through.

I am the European co-ordinator, and could theoretically be based in Flint for what is to be done but what is needed with those transiting colleagues can more-readily be taken care of right at the airport as they transit if I can just get placed ok - way simpler than alternatives.

So it works best if I base myself at a DTW-or-close hotel for those days from when I get in, meet flights or have colleagues come to me if there's time for them between connections, take care of business, then carry on to LA myself.

However ....

There's seven European colleagues travelling from their respective locations, and all are on different flights over most of three days, and are stretched over those days ... the way those timings work out gives me a lot of dead time inbetween, though not enough to go and take in the sights, head downtown, stuff like that ...

So, is anyone who knows the surrounding areas able to suggest a hotel that has any amenities nearby like maybe a mall, restaurants, entertainment etc for a break at times through the day? Ideally walkable as it is pointless renting a car just to stay right-there, and if we get a drop-off on the hotel's shuttle the times aren't going to be guaranteed which could mess-up meeting those in transit with fixed times of their own to meet ... ?

The important part! :)

Yes, I said "we" ... if it was just me I could probably manage to kick my heels around DTW between meeting flights, put up with it for those days just to get things taken care of and then fly on to LA myself.

However, delightfully my girl is coming with me, she works in the same office and is part of the team ... so having somewhere to go for an hour or two or three at intervals would be good rather than hanging around the hotel across almost three days waiting for the next flight-meet or hotel-visitor ... and that includes "Gentlemens Clubs" lol which she gets fun sometimes visiting with me - gotta love her :)

But anyway, any ideas about a hotel somewhere that coiuld be a base, hopefully pretty tight in to the airport so their shuttle doesn't take too long coming and going, and with a little go-see potential of almost any kind nerarby?

All I have found on a websearch is a Hampton Inn in Romulus right on the edge of the 'field, with a Bob Evans right next door ... lol, limited go-see potential!

Any guidance would be much appreciated, thanks!

H

I am transiting DTW in a few weeks on a business trip from the UK to LA. The break at DTW is because the location of one regional office is in Flint and is automatically a base for me for co-ordinating colleagues from a number of other locations including overseas who are are funnelling-through.

--- snip ---

All I have found on a websearch is a Hampton Inn in Romulus right on the edge of the 'field, with a Bob Evans right next door ... lol, limited go-see potential!

Any guidance would be much appreciated, thanks!

H

Closest mall with 4 starish hotels within walking distance is Fairlane Mall in Dearborn .... but it's pretty hard to get around Detroit without a car.

Bob H

The Westin is located inside DTW's McNamara terminal. This would be ideal for your meetings with your transiting colleagues:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1415

As far as the time between business meetings: At one time the hotel, which has a TSA security checkpoint adjacent to its fromt desk, was able to arrange concourse passes for registered guests, even if they were not flying that day. I have not stayed there recently, so I do not know if this service is still available.

The selection of food and shoppingr outlets in the terminal is not too bad, although nowhere as extensive as Fairlane or even downtown Ann Arbor would be (both of which are best reached via rental car).

I too agree on Westin inside the airport.

Westin as well. Its convenient, but sometimes I haven't been able to get a room as well as times when meeting rooms are hard to come by as well.

The Crowne Plaza-DTW is about a mile away, has a shuttle, and is a nice dig as well, especially if you're a priority club member.

I don't know if Delta will do this for sky club members, but continental will give gate passes for its president club members as well as for up to 2 guests. If you're a DL SC member try that and you could hopefully get a meeting room there as well. CO PC's aren't too bad @ $~35/hr for a meeting room.

I believe Crown Plaza is $40 on priceline via bid.