I'll fly in/out of DTW. But the flight in arrives really late on a Friday (around midnight). It is a 3-night stay (including that late night).
The swim begins/ends in the Pickney Recreation Area, Halfmoon Lake; has a Gregory address, but looks closer to Hell. I'd like to be fairly close to there, as it has a crazy early start time (6:30am). It is called
Swim to the Moon.
Much of my Saturday will be sleeping in then heading to a clinic at the site of the swim (and to figure out where it will be the next day). Probably get some snacks/water from a supermarket.
Sunday will be the swim early, then probably head back to the hotel and relax for a bit.
After I check-out on Monday, before my flight (3:30pm), I want to make a run up to Flint to pick up some Dawn Donuts (my other half is from that area and they're a local favorite), maybe grab a Halo Burger, see the Monument to Joe Lewis (if I have time), then head to the airport (probably 4-5 hours for all that).
If I have time, I have a friend who lives in Hillsdale and would like to visit with her. Either late Saturday or Sunday. Not sure if I'd go down there or she'd go to where I'm at (she wants to watch the swim, but I told her she'd see me swim out for maybe 3 minutes, then nothing until I swim in at the end).
Based on all that, it sounds like Ann Arbor might match up the best?
I have a reservation at the Homewood Suites in Brighton, but I can cancel without penalty. Especially when traveling for an event like that, I like having a full fridge and freezer for drinks and water plus ice. It looks like there's a Starbucks, Chipotle, and other stuff all nearby.
The Hampton Ann Arbor-West looks like a decent location but the rates are $80 or so higher. Is it worth the premium?