javaman

Does the Marriott at the Detroit Ren Center have STSN or other high speed Internet in the rooms?


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Marriott Platinum, NWA Platinum

UA835

I don't believe so, although my last stay there was in September of last year. If you want, I can ask my co-workers who are staying there next week.

socrates

Correct...no HSI

TravelMann

I don't know how well this search feature works, but you can find hotels with HSI using the following page:

http://www.wirelessmarriott.com/defa...VCEC=InProcess


Incidentally, I used this at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. The $9.95 bundle that includes unlimited long distance and local calling plus high speed internet seemed like an incredible deal. I had to get it refunded because the high speed access was fouled up. Tech support tried some stuff about "RECONFIG" to recapture IP addresses and such, but nothing worked.

NOTE: I used the search feature and it did not bring up the Marriott Philadelphia property I stayed at, but several others. Weird, because I just stayed there over Memorial Day Weekend, and it mostly certainly has HSI (well, it works 50% of the time).


[This message has been edited by TravelMann (edited 05-28-2003).]

[This message has been edited by TravelMann (edited 05-28-2003).]

BigLar

<sigh> no search, so ...

Anyone ever stay here? Thinking of using the 2-for-1 coupon I got for an upcoming weekend.

How do they treat plats? Ever get upgraded to a suite? It's on a weekend, so just wondering if my chances are better then.

Do they have a Concierge floor and/or lounge?

Anything else I should know?

UA835

BigLar, There was this thread a while back ... while it was on the Dearborn Inn, there are references as what to expect as an elite at the Marriott Detroit RenCen:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/archi.../t-138408.html

Most of my stays have been during the week, and have had very limited success with upgrades ... may be different on the weekend. Just make sure you're above the 56th floor, as the beds are Courtyard-like below that.

Concierge lounge is on the 56th floor if I remember correctly. Unfortunately, I do not think they are open on the weekend.

I'd say that the best thing about the Marriott are the views from the higher floors, and it's proximity to the Greektown Casino (just 2 stops on the PeopleMover). I've found Coach Insignia, the restaurant at the top of the hotel, to be just ok, but have been very happy with the Itallian at Andiamo, which is somewhat hidden in the Wintergarden area of the RenCen.

Let me know if you have any other questions on the Marriott RenCen or this area of Detroit.

BigLar

Wow. Thanks.

These folks are really not too thrilled with the Renaissance property!

OTOH, that Dearborn Marriott looks pretty nice, and it seems that upgrades actually happen there. Might be worth serious consideration.

But back to the original topic: that thread was two years old. Any updated info or it still to be avoided?

UA835

I haven't heard of any improvements from my friends who have stayed there recently.

As far as whether or not this property should be avoided, it depends on what you want to do in Detroit. I assume you are not going there on Business, but if Casinos or going to Canada are what you are interested in, then it's probably your best bet.

As far as dining, I think you have better options in Dearborn, Annam for upscale Vietnamese, and La Shish for excellent Mediterranean. Dearborn also has the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, which are both worth visiting.

Sluggy58

We stayed at this property twice, perhaps 18 months ago. I believe they were doing some renovating and the restaurant at the top was no longer open. We got upgraded to a suite for the one weekend stay we had. It was pretty large and had a great view of the river and Canada.

I remember thinking that it wasn't the greatest location for being near many activities or walking around much. There was a mini mall below ground as I recall. The bottom line is that I would stay there again.

Robgofourth1

I have stayed here for the last 3 years on just about a weekly basis (last year I stayed 202 nights but in more than just this location). As far as suite upgrades, during the week it would never happen but might on the weekend. The info about the beds above 56 is correct. The resident manager is Mr. Lawley and is very accomodating to Plat. As you can see, I am very loyal to Marriot, I have never gotten a upgraded to a suite but they have a list of 50 top members and I'm no where close....just a lot of business travelers. In addition to other fun stuff nearby, you can drive into Windsor, Canada which has a nicer casino and great italian food (I recommend Brigatino's). Hope this helps. And no lounge on the weekends.

jmgummerson

I will be spending the next 6-8 weeks in Detroit for business (office located downtown) and will likely spend most weeks at the Marriott Renaissance Center. Does anyone have tips regarding special room to ask for (which side for best view, etc.) or restaurants / nightlife in the area? I know about the casinos downtown and definitely plan to check them out but looking for some nice places to have dinner that won't be the same old thing night after night.

Thanks for any input. For what it's worth I am currently a silver and will become gold at some point during the 6-8 weeks.

rubesl

I live in metro Detroit - if you want to try some different dinner places in the downtown area:

Cliff Bell's (Jazz)
Atlas Global Bistro
Slow's (barbecue)
Mosaic (nicer), Fishbones (casual) or Pizzapaplis (great pizza) in Greektown

Some of these require a short cab ride or use of the People Mover (monorail that circles downtown).

If you bring your passport you can go over to Windsor (Canada) - that casino is much nicer than any of the Detroit casinos (& there is no smoking anywhere in the casino, unlike Detroit where the gaming floors allow smoking) & they have some nice restaurants. Also, on Erie St. there are some great Italian restaurants. Also, The Cook's Shop restaurant on Ouellette Ave. Remember, Windsor is just 5 min. from the Renaissance Center via the tunnel under the river.

Don't forget about baseball at Comerica Park, football at Ford Field & hockey at Joe Louis Arena - all very close in the downtown area.

SkiAdcock

Sign up for the Gold challenge if you're going to have a lot of stays. You'd get the Gold bennies immediately.

Cheers.

KMC1982

I spent about 3 months in Detroit in 2009, so this may be a little dated, but I thought the Courtyard across the street from the RenCen was a much better hotel. It had big rooms (and great suites, if you got upgraded), a nice gym, outdoor tennis courts, and a decent restaurant attached. You could also walk to the RenCen (and the PeopleMover) without going outside.

My favorite restaurant there was Roast (which is in the Westin, I think and is owned by Michael Symon). Slow's is pretty good and I liked Fishbone. Nothing else was that memorable.

Make sure to catch a Tigers game! Comerica Park is a great stadium (and easy to access via the PeopleMover!)

CJKatl

This is one of my favorite hotels. Ask for a high floor (and it will be a HIGH floor) facing Windsor. Also, see if you can finagle CL access somehow. Try asking for a Gold challenge or just ask the hotel directly if they will throw it in if you stay there instead of elsewhere. Their CL is one of the best. The car displays downstairs are a nice diversion without even having to leave the hotel. (Assuming those are still there - I think they're always there.)