25 replies to this topic

[Xcheck16]

Hi folks. =) Forum newbie but long-time wing nut here!

My wife and I will be celebrating our 5 year anniversary this month and we have decided to do so by fulfilling a long-time dream of mine, seeing a Wings game at the Joe. We live in Dallas, so we thought it would be fun to make the trip out for the stars/wings game on the 24th. Anyway, we've been researching nice hotels and it seems like our choices boil down to the Westin Book Cadillac and the Marriott at the Ren Center. Do any of the locals have a strong opinion one way or another on which of those two hotels would be the best choice? We won't be renting a car (since we don't have a permit to carry a weapon in other states...i kid i kid.). =)

Thanks in advance & can't even tell you how fired up we are to finally get to see a game at the Joe!

edit: It looks like the Atheneum is a good option as well.

Edited by Xcheck16, 12 February 2011 - 01:20 PM.

[Travis]

My girlfriend and I are heading to Detroit for a weekend in March and we're actually going to stay at Greektown. The people mover has a stop on the 3rd floor and that way we can get as irresponsible as we'd like and all we have to do is make it upstairs to our room.

[Ericfire77]

I stayed at the Doubletree Guest Suites.Doubletree
It was a nice hotel, and within walking distance of the Joe.

[Motown4013]

I love the Motor City Hotel and Casino. there at least 15 times and always enjoyed everything about it. Great rooms..good food and they usually offer a shuttle to the games- if not, a cab ride is 6 bucks. The room rates are fantastic (with oversized spa tubs, flatpanels, ipod docking and 24 hr room service)and if you like to play cards, it makes it even better. Also, its owned by the Illitch family so I always feel like I am supporting the Wings
Enjoy!

[sleepwalker]

We won't be renting a car (since we don't have a permit to carry a weapon in other states...i kid i kid.). =)

I know you were kidding, but I believe Michigan is one of the states that has a reciprocity agreement with Texas, so your Texas CCW permit would also be valid in MI.

[Uncle Danny]

Never stayed at the Westin, but both of the other options are solid. I'd personally opt for the Atheneum over the Ren Cen, though, given it's proximity to everything in Greektown (casino, restaurants, etc). Either way, you'll be in good hands, though.

Welcome to Detroit!

[Jedi]

I went to Detroit a few weekends ago, and stayed at the Marriott in the Ren Cen. It was a nice hotel, with a gorgeous view (we were on the 45th floor, with a view of the Joe from our room), but there were a few things that held it back.

1 - The building layout was a tad confusing. If you're on one of the lower levels in the lobby, it can be quite the adventure trying to find your way back to the center area and be on the right level to get to elevator access back to your room. If you're there long enough, you'll eventually find your way around, but it's still a little bit of a hassle.

2 - Internet access. Yes, they have Wifi, but they'll charge you for it. If I remember correctly, it's something like $12.95 for 24 hours of access. Free Wifi is available at the Starbucks in the lobby, but they're not open 24 hours. So you either can use free Wifi (which seemed to run pretty slow) during the Starbucks business hours, or you can pay for it.

3 - Had to pay for parking. If you're not renting a car, then that's not that big of a problem for you, but if you change your mind and rent a car, then it's $10 a day just to park.

4 - The People Mover. Don't get me wrong, the P.M. is a good system for getting around downtown Detroit, but it gets extremely busy for the Wings games. We had to wait for 20-30 minutes outside on the platform while waiting for a train. Many trains would come by, but by the time they reach the Ren Cen, they only had room for maybe 3 to 4 people per train, so it took forever for our turn to finally make it in. Expect the same long wait after the game too.

Other than those few issues, it was a good hotel. IMO, it wouldn't be the first place I'd look to stay at the next time I go, but I wouldn't complain much if I did stay there again.

[ACallToArms]

4 - The People Mover. Don't get me wrong, the P.M. is a good system for getting around downtown Detroit, but it gets extremely busy for the Wings games. We had to wait for 20-30 minutes outside on the platform while waiting for a train. Many trains would come by, but by the time they reach the Ren Cen, they only had room for maybe 3 to 4 people per train, so it took forever for our turn to finally make it in. Expect the same long wait after the game too.

I think they reversed the direction of the people mover recently. It used to be you could easily get on the people mover at the Ren Cen, but then it was a 20 minute ride around to get to the Joe. Now that its reversed, its overcrowded by the time it gets to you. I still think taking a shuttle from one of the local drinking holes is the way to.

[Jedi]

I think they reversed the direction of the people mover recently. It used to be you could easily get on the people mover at the Ren Cen, but then it was a 20 minute ride around to get to the Joe. Now that its reversed, its overcrowded by the time it gets to you. I still think taking a shuttle from one of the local drinking holes is the way to.

Yeah, I think it is reversed (or was a few weeks ago). When we finally got on the train, it was only 3 or 4 stops to the Joe. I'm betting that most of the crowd that we saw on all the trains was from the Greektown stop. You're probably exactly right, in that if it went the other way, we'd be one of the first on the train.

We were originally planning on taking the people mover back after the game, but decided to find another way back. We met up with Matt & his wife, and we managed to hop on the bus to the Old Shillelagh. After grabbing a bite to eat at a bar in Greektown, they were kind enough to give me and my friend a ride back to the Ren Cen.

[Jenny]

I'd go with the Marriott. If we go to a weekend game, we usually park at the Ren Cen ($6 in the Port Atwater or Beaubien garages on weekends), and I've never had an issue with the People Mover being overcrowded on the way to the game. (But then, we do try to get to the Joe just as the doors open, so we probably beat the Greektown crowd.) Or if the weather happens to be mild, it's just a nice short walk down the Riverwalk.

[ACallToArms]

Or if the weather happens to be mild, it's just a nice short walk down the Riverwalk.

I love taking the Riverwalk during playoff games. Its full of crazy wings fans, especially after a victory.

[Yzermania]

I just went out from california for a game and stayed at the westin book cadillac. It was very nice and very classy. The room service food was really good as well and they had a free fitness center which was really nice.

[FireCaptain]

Except that the PM stops running at midnight.. found that out the hard way..

I think we stayed at the Marriot or Radisson.. it was like stop #4 on the PM. Nice place, not too expensive and good security.

My girlfriend and I are heading to Detroit for a weekend in March and we're actually going to stay at Greektown. The people mover has a stop on the 3rd floor and that way we can get as irresponsible as we'd like and all we have to do is make it upstairs to our room.

Edited by FireCaptain, 13 February 2011 - 02:17 AM.

[FireCaptain]

I was going to answer this as well..

MI DEFINITELY honors TX.

http://www.usacarry.com/concealed_carry_permit_reciprocity_maps.html

I carried in MI with my TN permit and never had an issue.

I know you were kidding, but I believe Michigan is one of the states that has a reciprocity agreement with Texas, so your Texas CCW permit would also be valid in MI.

[eva unit zero]

Yeah, I think it is reversed (or was a few weeks ago).

Which is why I have always said they should have made the damn thing go both ways all of the time. Or alternatively, reverse direction after Wings games, as that would provide shorter "in" and "out" rides for most people not parking in the JLA structure.

[Travis]

Except that the PM stops running at midnight.. found that out the hard way..

I think we stayed at the Marriot or Radisson.. it was like stop #4 on the PM. Nice place, not too expensive and good security.

I think we'd be in the casino by 12, but that's really awesome to know.

[GOBLUE1892]

My wife and I have stayed at Greektown a few times, I had no problems there and it is easy to get to and from the Joe.

[Xcheck16]

My wife and I have stayed at Greektown a few times, I had no problems there and it is easy to get to and from the Joe.

Hey guys. Thanks for all the feedback (both in this thread and in private messages). With your help, we've settled on the Westin. Really appreciate the hospitality/help and absolutely cannot wait to get to Hockeytown! Now, I just need to find a way to convince people I'm focusing on my work between now and then!

Any other tips, suggestions, etc for a 30-something (ok..full disclosure, damn near 40) married couple in terms of things to do at the game....after the game...or just in general in the downtown area? we'll be there for about 2 1/2 days.

Also, does the Joe Louis Arena wings shop sell Konstantinov jerseys by chance? I've always wanted one and it would make it perfect if i could actually buy it *in* detroit at the joe. a little hokey probably...but I still think that would be cool. =) Thanks again guys!

[ACallToArms]

Also, does the Joe Louis Arena wings shop sell Konstantinov jerseys by chance? I've always wanted one and it would make it perfect if i could actually buy it *in* detroit at the joe. a little hokey probably...but I still think that would be cool. =) Thanks again guys!

Your best bet is probably Hockeytown Authentics in Troy. I think they only sell current players at the Joe.

[Jenny]

They do have a customize-while-you-wait jersey booth at the Joe. I'm not sure how the prices compare to the pre-made jerseys, but it could be worth a look.