Originally Posted by
ohmark
The times given for automobile transit to downtown Detroit are a bit understated. A better breakfast buffet is, IMO, a poor reason to stay a significant drive from downtown Detroit, when attending a downtown Detroit convention, or the such. Downtown Detroit is, contrary to some of the comments in this thread (mostly from a few years ago) a lively, happening place. The intersection of Pontiac and Bloomfield Township, and the area of Laurel Park Place Mall (Livonia Marriott) are not. Sorry, don't know the family breakfast policies of the Ren Cen Marriott and, and I haven't stayed at the Ren Cen Marriott for years, so I can't recommend it one way or the other. Not disagreeing with hockeyinsider's assessment of the Ren Cen Marriott, just don't think it makes sense to stay in Pontiac or Livonia for a 2-day downtown convention.
Don't forget, there's also an SPG Westin and SPG Aloft downtown, and a number of casino hotels.
Without traffic and on the weekends, 20, maybe 25 minutes, is reasonable. I agree that you probably want to be downtown for a convention, but since he has family with him and he's using points it probably doesn't make sense. The Marriott Renaissance Center is a category-6 redemption while the Marriott Livonia and Marriott Auburn Hills/Pontiac/Bloomfield Township is a category-3 redemption. Don't forget another $20-$40 per night for parking downtown. Staying out in the suburbs could be a significant savings. Livonia is closer and more direct to downtown, though the Auburn Hills/Pontiac/Bloomfield Township hotel is recently renovated and has a 24/7 M Club lounge.