Friday, March 30, 2012

Comerica Park - Hotels booked - Advice needed

Will be in Detroit for ball game in June. All of the downtown hotels near Comerica Park are booked. Would it be better to stay in a suburb of Detroit or in Windsor? I know if I stay in a suburb, I%26#39;ll have to drive and then fight the traffic leaving the stadium. What about from Windsor? is there any public transportation from there or do cabs cross the border? The Quality Suites in Windsor is 1.2 miles from Comerica. Thanks.



Comerica Park - Hotels booked - Advice needed


Windsor is closer in miles but isn%26#39;t too often closer in time. Yes, there is a bus that connects downtown Windsor with downtown Detroit.





The border problem is that traffic in the tunnel or on the bridge can delay things unpredictably. Going through US customs and immigration often is the larger hold up. I go to Windsor once or twice a month (was last there 4 days ago) and border crossing can take 5 minutes in one direction and 45 on the return. It just is that unpredictable. A lot depends upon time of day, day of week, etc. but even that isn%26#39;t a reliable predictor.





Also, in case this is an issue for you, each person in your group will need a US passport (obviously only for American citizens) or other acceptable documentation to cross the border. The present rules change June 1 and the new, more stringent ones can be found at the Department of Homeland Security website.





You could stay in one of the suburbs (Dearborn is among the closest and has lots of hotels/motels in all price ranges) and not have to worry about the border crossing. Driving time from Dearborn to Comerica Park is 12-15 minutes, but (as you noted) can be longer at game time. You also could stay downtown for an after game drink or snack until the traffic clears.



Comerica Park - Hotels booked - Advice needed


Windsor, while nice, is not worth the bother to try to commute for a hotel. I was just there today and it took 30 minutes into Canada and 15 back to the US (tunnel on both crossings). I%26#39;m thinking cab fare would be VERY expensive with a 30 minute delay, and the tunnel bus did not look like fun when they herd everyone off at US Immigration to process them individually before getting back on the bus.





Madison Heights/Troy is another option that is 15 minutes from downtown. Every chain is well represented along I-75 from 14 mile (Exit 65) up to Big Beaver (Exit 69).






I also agree with not staying in Canada because of the unpredictable traffic wait times. Livonia is another option along the I-275 corridor at the 6, 7 or 8 Mile Roads. Or the Hilton Garden Inn in Plymouth located on Sheldon Rd. just north of M-14. Travel time would be 20 - 30 minutes from these locations.





Just curious, what dates are you looking at?




Thanks for the advice. I will be in for the Tigers/ Cubs game on June 24. Just staying the one night.






Would you be interested in staying at one of the casinos? Don%26#39;t know what price range you%26#39;re looking at, but it looks like the MGM and the Motor City both have rooms.




LoveVacations has an interesting idea. Greektown Casino just opened their hotel and, at least at the moment, are offering $99 room rates. No idea if they will still apply in June, but it might be worth checking into it. Greektown is within walking distance of Comerica Park (and also within easy People Mover distance), plus Greektown, the neighborhood, has lots of restaurants and bars.





If you can get an acceptable rate at the casino hotel, I would grab it.




Also, Antheneum Suites in Detroit, next to Greektown casino gives you free transportation with in a 5 mile radius of the hotel if your staying there. They have great rooms, and great service. If you choose this place, make sure you sign up for there I Prefer membership before you book. The I Prefer membership gets you free Valet, 2 free drinks in the lobby bar, and two free breakfasts in the morning and express check in. And it is a 2 room suite not just a room. Good Luck!




If you do drive in, check out the PEOPLE MOVER WEBSITE and also PARKING on the Detroit Tigers Website. There are many parking lots on the people mover route. If you drive in Chicago, and around Wrigley at all, that is harder I think then Detroit. There are wide multiple lane streets on Woodward etc and traffic, while certainly heavy for a while, does move over time. Not like the two lane roads around Wrigley everywhere ... So don%26#39;t necessarily let that stop you from driving. Marriott at the REN Center full?? thats right on the ppl mover route too. If you don%26#39;t find a place as already suggested, consider the suburbs. Troy, Sterling Heights, Utica, Dearborn etc... much like your suburbs... altho no METRA lol... I 75 and I 94 are both accessible however and will get you to Comerica off Hwy 1 aka Woodward. Parking lots range from 10-25 dollars as I recall. 25 being on the grounds of the stadium. Maybe it went up this year. Beautiful ball park if you have not been there yet.





Definately check the news reports on Construction Zone closings. There is again some big projects on the freeways over the summer.





Should be a fun game to see!




Thank you for the advice. Since I am driving from Chicago, I have booked the Embassy Suites near the airport. I will keep trying other hotels in the downtown area as time passes in the hope there are some cancellations.




If you end up driving in from your current hotel, it%26#39;s very do-able (that a real word??) !!! just head to the park plenty early ( you already know that ) to find a parking spot and enjoy the game.... that is what the vast majority of ppl do that go to Comerica. Just be patient leaving, and learn which way you have to go to get back to the freeway. Those GPS units really can be handy for this, but you can study a map or ask someone if you don%26#39;t have one. You would exit (and return) at Grand Cirus stop, but also Broadway stop works.





COBO HALL , or JOE LOUIS ARENA, would be fairly easy to find if you want a suggestion, as would be GREEK TOWN CASINO, and take the ppl mover to the park. Each one of those places have Websites too. But again, there is pay parking all around the stadium for blocks if you study the map and learn how to get to them.





enjoy!







Would LOVE to see a REDLINE ADDISON type stop by the park LOL!!!





take care and enjoy!! btw we love chicago, cud you tell?? :)

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