noplasticshowers

Here we are again in a university town, this time Ann Arbor. This town is great. Books, coffee, food, cocktails. Almost everything you need, but still no good hotel.

The Residence Inn is a Marriott property, and it is brand new. It’s pretty much what you would expect of a mid-tier mid-market Marriott hotel. Shiny suburban fake is the style. NPS has different style.

When the reservation was made, we requested a high floor and a Panoramic City View Suite. The first room we were assigned was 414 which is ADA formatted. When asking for a non-ADA configured room instead were assigned down to 214. The rooms are almost exactly identical. Moving down was a big mistake because traffic noise starts at 5am. Alas.

So much for the high floor request.

The manager, having heard tell of checkin problems, was very gracious. We had a nice chat. His valet staff is super.

The view from 214 says it all

The room is filled with lots of shiny new veneer cheap furniture that looks better than it feels when you use it. The suite includes a kitchenette.

Entry hallway kitchenette

desk room

desk room couch

View from the bed to a nice bank of windows

large (impersonal) bathroom

The real problem is the shower, which is partially glass and partially plastic. It is open to the huge bathroom without a glass door. Cold air makes for a less than stellar shower experience.

shower. not approved

Anyway, we knew what we were getting into when we agreed to come to Ann Arbor. Apparently, there is a copy of The Graduate here too BTW. Sure wish university towns had better hotel kung fu!

Coffee @LiteratiCoffee is far superior to the hotel situation

— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 6, 2018

Dinner at Mikette was delicious. Great service.

Your oyster sir pic.twitter.com/ddHsrKh9ix

— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 7, 2018

The cocktail scene in Ann Arbor remains vibrant. A Sunday night visit to Nightcap was optimal in all respects. Andy was a blast behind the bar.

Sunday cocktail @nightcapa2 pic.twitter.com/SAVx8hj9EA

— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 7, 2018

El Presidente with @flordecanarum pic.twitter.com/3o7mAeU3g1

— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 7, 2018

Outstanding use of liquid nitrogen here

— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 7, 2018

Great luminaries pic.twitter.com/pLMYFM8ZMs

— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 7, 2018

Yeah. It got worse. pic.twitter.com/vjnFoEKIgm

— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 7, 2018

Because there was Handy in the house, we present, The Handy Handy
1.75 Thomas Handy Rye
.3 oz Del’erborista ultra-bitters
.3 carpano antica
2 dashes scrappy aromatic
Stir. Strain. Express orange peel and drop in.

Three showerheads for the Residence Inn in Ann Arbor. Dang university towns.