Alpena, Michigan: Holiday Inn Express and more

December 2024, week night, one night

View from king suite 407 in Holiday Inn Express Alpena, Michigan
Sitting area in king suite 407 below

Holiday Inn Express, king suite 407

I reserved a basic king guestroom in this hotel.  As a platinum member, we received an upgrade to a suite. Although we did not have a river view, the extra sitting area in the room was great. I also received the opportunity to pick a gift from the Christmas tree in the lobby, and received an extra 250 points. Some of the gifts were worth 5,000 points, so I guess I was not so lucky on that draw. 😁

King suite 407 in Holiday Inn Express Alpena, Michigan

This Holiday Inn Express still had Keurig coffee machines in the guestroom. They did not have a fresh brew machine in the lobby, like the location in East Lansing. The guestroom was spacious, comfortable, and very clean. The bathroom shower had glass doors, and a safe was provided in the entry closet.

Breakfast in Holiday Inn Express Alpena, Michigan

Lansing, Michigan: Holiday Inn Express, Visitor Bureau and area

November 2024, weekend, one night 

View from guestroom 326 in Holiday Inn Express & Suites East Lansing

I am sharing a few photos and some basic information from our Lansing visit last month.

Guestroom 326 in Holiday Inn Express & Suites East Lansing

Holiday Inn Express East Lansing, king suite guestroom 326

I reserved a basic king guestroom in this hotel. As a platinum member, I received an upgrade to a king suite. The guestroom was clean and comfortable. 

Guestroom 326 in Holiday Inn Express & Suites East Lansing

San Antonio, Texas: Hampton Inn & Suites Riverwalk, Dining, Attractions

October 2023, weekdays, two nights, king suite 727

Reservations, arrival, diamond perks

I had two reservations for this stay, because one night was a paid stay, and the other night was a points redemption. The same guestroom type was not available both nights, so I had to reserve two different room types. I wanted to reserve a [king] balcony room; however, since a balcony room was not available, I reserved a Jr. suite with a king bed, and a Queen double. I called the hotel a few days ahead of time to make sure the stays were linked together, and to check the availability of a balcony guestroom. Although there were no balcony guestrooms available, the agent told me she could assign us the same Jr. suite for both nights, so we would not need to change rooms. She said this would probably be on floor 3. 

Hampton Inn San Antonio Riverwalk guestroom diagram;
star is location of guestroom 727

When I checked in on the app the next day, the only available guestroom choices were as the agent had stated; guestrooms 320 and 321. On floor 3, guestroom 320 overlooks the roof of the building next door, and 321 sets back in the building corner. I chose guestroom 320 to complete the check-in process. We had to go to the front desk when we arrived to complete check-in, because we needed an elevator key. The agent did not say anything about my guestroom location or type, although she did say something about it being the room I had chosen when I checked in on the app. Imagine my delight when she handed me a key for guestroom 727! We had been upgraded to a one-bedroom suite in a much better location. I also received bottled water and snacks.

Hampton Inn and Home2Suites San Antonio Riverwalk
Above, view from Hampton Inn guestroom 727 

I had a difficult time choosing a hotel and guestroom, so I am sharing a couple photos of the hotel and guestroom diagrams with labeled details. The Hampton Inn is located in the same building as Home2Suites. I originally chose Home2Suites, because we like the roominess and full kitchen that brand offers; however, I changed to the Hampton Inn, because it did not look like the Home2Suites guestrooms had balconies. Both hotels do have balcony rooms, although there are more balcony guestrooms in the Hampton Inn, and these rooms are also closer to the river.

King one-bedroom suite #727 in Hampton Inn San Antonio Riverwalk

Detroit, Michigan: Hotel Indigo, downtown

November 2022, weekday, one night, king guestroom, floor 10?

We stayed in this hotel with a free night certificate, and I do not recall our guestroom number. We were on floor 10 or 11, and the view faced east toward Campus Martius Park.

View from guestroom in Hotel Indigo Detroit, Michigan 

Arrival and platinum perks

I received 600 bonus points at check-in. The agent did not say anything to me about this; I received the email notification that the points had been deposited before we checked out. 

Guestroom in Hotel Indigo Detroit, Michigan 

Bay City, Michigan: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Breweries, and more

We have visited the beautiful riverfront town of Bay City several times, and you can find more information about the area by clicking on the Bay City label at the bottom of this post. You can find more information about the DoubleTree Hotel in my March 2019 blog post.

Sunset from the riverwalk behind Real Seafood Company in Bay City

 November 2022, weeknight, one night, suite 431

Other than the fabulous suite upgrade, this stay was similar to previous stays. I have previously stayed in this hotel with gold and diamond status, and have always received an upgrade to a river view room. This time, when I looked on the app before arrival, our room assignment was a suite on floor 4. I had noticed that there is also a suite on floor 5; however, I did not try to exit the current room assignment to see if that one was available. I did not want to take a chance of losing the suite we had been assigned! 

Suite 431 in DoubleTree Hotel in Bay City, Michigan

We stopped at the front desk to get an extra key, cookies, and water when we arrived. The front desk agent did not say anything about breakfast, so I asked if I just needed to provide the guestroom number for breakfast. She said yes, although she did not recap how much I would receive. Our entire meal was comped the next day.

Balcony and view from suite 431 in DoubleTree Hotel in Bay City, Michigan

Cumberland Maryland: Fairfield Inn & Suites, Area Trails, Dining, Brewery

May 2022, weekdays, 2 nights, Fairfield Inn extended king guestroom 419

It has been a few weeks since my stay at this hotel, so I am sharing only minimal info that I recall clearly. If I had been traveling alone, I would have chosen the new Hampton Inn at the next exit north of town. I chose this hotel because it is in a good location with businesses nearby that my husband would enjoy.  

Back of Fairfield Inn & Suites in Cumberland, Maryland from bicycle path

Arrival and check-in

We had not eaten before we arrived at the hotel in the late afternoon. Since it was before check-in time, I went inside to ask the front desk clerk for nearby dining recommendations within walking distance. She provided a printed sheet and verbal recommendations. See the dining section at the bottom of this post for more information about that. I had not received a notification via the app before we returned to the hotel, even though it was almost check-in time. The agent assigned our room when I asked if we could check-in.

Guestroom 419 in Fairfield Inn & Suites in Cumberland, Maryland 

Fairfield Inn standard and extended king guestrooms

We were initially assigned a standard king guestroom on the top floor. I believe it was guestroom 400. This basic room was extremely small, and I wish I had taken a photo before I returned to the front desk. The one small cushioned chair in the room was so tight in the corner, it was up against the bed and wall. It did not look like there was room to walk behind the [second] desk chair if I had been sitting at the desk. Again, if I had been by myself, I would have just let it go. However, since there were two of us staying two nights, I returned to the front desk to ask about a larger room. The agent reassigned us guestroom 419, which met our needs much better.

Guestroom 419 in Fairfield Inn & Suites in Cumberland, Maryland 

Guestroom 419 was similar to most Fairfield Inn rooms I have stayed in before. The bathroom was near the entrance. The beverage center was located in the entry between the bathroom and sitting area. The sitting area was next, and the bed was at the end of the room near the window. The complimentary enhanced internet (for elite members) did not work worth a crap, and would barely load anything the second evening when the hotel was more full. I probably would have requested a refund, if I had paid for this.

Kalamazoo, Michigan: Home2Suites

 October 2021, weekday, 1-night, 1-bedroom suite 830

Home2Suites and Hilton Garden Inn in Kalamazoo, Michigan

This hotel has eight floors, and is in the same building with Hilton Garden Inn. When I made the reservation, I had a difficult time deciding which hotel to choose. I ended up choosing Home2Suites, and was very happy with this decision. Home2Suites is the building section facing away from the parking garage, and that section of the building is taller than Hilton Garden Inn. This is a longer walk from the parking garage than Hilton Garden Inn, which I thought was worth it.

View looking west from suite 830 in Home2Suites Kalamazoo, Michigan

Arrival and check-in

The first time I tried to check-in on the app, I was assigned a guestroom on floor 2, and the app was not showing any available guestrooms on the top floor. When I checked again a few hours before arrival, room 830 was available. Even though I did not have a hotel floor plan on the app to see exactly where the room was located, I decided to take my chances, so I chose it to complete check-in. After we got to our room, I realized it was a slight upgrade. It was not clear where to park when we arrived, so we stopped in front of the hotel on N. Rose Street, and went inside to ask. The entrance on this road is actually for Hilton Garden Inn. Home2Suites entrance door is on Eleanor Street; however, that road was under construction. The person at the front desk told me to park in the city lot across N. Rose Street and take the walkway over. The walkway comes over on level 2, and there are absolutely no signs in the walkways or at the elevators for either hotel. I was using the guestroom entrance key on the app, so we got on the elevator intending to go to floor 8. The first elevator we got on only had 6 floors, so we got off without going up. I decided to walk down the hallway, away from the parking garage, rather than go down a floor to street level and the lobby. We found another elevator, which had 8 floors, so we went up to the 8th floor where we easily found our suite.

Suite 830 in Home2Suites Kalamazoo, Michigan

Guestroom 830 and diamond perks

We both loved this guestroom! The view is amazing, and it is very soundproof. If the weather had cooperated, we would have had a fabulous sunset view. Some people may have thought the construction was a view obstruction; however, in our case, it was a bonus. It kept my husband entertained while I worked! 😁

I could not get the bathroom light to turn on when we arrived, and there was no welcome letter or information in the suite, so I went down to the front desk. The person I spoke with told me there is a fuse panel in each suite. After I inquired about breakfast and wifi, he provided an information/welcome letter, and an extra key in a packet with the wifi password. I also received two welcome bags containing water and a snack. The front desk agent told me they do not do put the items in the guestroom, because entering guests' rooms is limited due to COVID. Although I did not reply, I thought: Before I arrive--huh? How is me coming to the front desk, face-to-face with someone to get items directly from their hands, safer than someone entering my room before I arrive? Going to the front desk was not a big deal; I just thought the reasoning did not make sense.

Suite 830 in Home2Suites Kalamazoo, Michigan

Back to the guestroom - As I said, this is a fabulous room! The kitchen/living area contained a dishwasher, full size fridge, microwave, limited dishes, coffeemaker with supplies, sofa, footstool, end tables, flatscreen TV on an armoire, and kitchen table with 4 chairs. 

Suite 830 in Home2Suites Kalamazoo, Michigan
Bathroom on right; bedroom behind closed door

A work area with chair was located next to the TV and across from the bathroom.

Suite 830 in Home2Suites Kalamazoo, Michigan

Northern Michigan Color and Brew Tour: West Branch, Harrisville, Alpena, Mackinaw City, Cheboygan, Afton

 October 2021, three days, weekday - weekend

View of Pigeon River
Bridge in the distance goes to Andreae Cabin and Nature Preserve parking lot

We decided to combine our HopPassports with a northern Michigan color and hiking tour. Although we visited a bit past peak colors, this was still a great trip! I am sharing info about some of the places we visited. See my two posts before this one for lodging information.

Hiking, trails, parks, rivers, colors...

We recently learned about Nature Megaphone in Boyd B. Banwell Nature Preserve in Afton, Michigan. This is a structure designed to magnify the sounds of nature. Unfortunately, it was raining lightly when we visited, and there was not much activity in the forest. It was still very cool! The rain in the video above sounds louder than it actually was. There is a bird chirping about 14 seconds in that is also magnified. We did not see any birds during our entire hike, and I am not sure how far away this bird was. I suggest playing the video on full screen with the volume up.

Nature Megaphone

The structure is about 5½' tall at the widest point. I am 5'2" tall, and I could easily stand up inside. The hike from Agnes S. Andreae Nature Preserve parking lot at the end of Riverwoods Trail was under 2 miles round-trip, and it was pretty easy. The only hill was on the way back up to the parking lot after crossing the river, and there are a couple of small hills, if you take the longer path along the river.

View from inside Nature Megaphone above
Trail map in parking lot below

The hike from Boyd B. Banwell Family Nature Preserve parking lot on M-68 is a longer hike. We would have hiked from this area, if the weather had been better, because the roads back to Agnes S. Andreae Nature Preserve are dirt.

Downtown Cheboygan above
Thunder Bay River looking toward Rotary Island Mill Park in Alpena below

In Alpena and Cheboygan, there are riverwalk trails along Thunder Bay River and Cheboygan River, parks, locks in Cheboygan, preserves, and more. In Alpena, you can get to Lake Huron walking most of the way along the river, and in Cheboygan the route has more sidewalk/town walking. 

Tawas Bay

The bay was beautiful the day we drove by Tawas Bay! There are great trails in Tawas Bay that we biked when we camped at the state park here a few years ago.

Entrance door into Alocona Brew Haus below

Breweries and dining

Our favorite brewery this trip was Alcona Brew Haus in Harrisville, MI. I was impressed with the building preservation from the moment we entered. We got a building tour from the owner, and I took way more photos than I am able to post here. I am sharing a couple more below.

Alpena, Michigan: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Downtown

October 2021, weekend, one-night, queen river view guestroom 320

Alpena Holiday Inn Express from across the river

Arrival and platinum perks

I redeemed points for a river view room with two queen beds, because king river view rooms were not available with points. This hotel was very full, and apparently sold out the night of our stay. I had requested a top floor room in a quiet area, and the agent did not acknowledge my request nor recognize my status. She merely said the hotel was full, after I asked if she had been able to give us a room in a quiet area. Bonus points must be automatic, because I received an email right after check-in from IHG for my 500 bonus points.

Sunrise from guestroom 320 in Alpena Holiday Inn Express

Guestroom 320

This room is a nice size, and it was comfortable. The parking lot is between the hotel and river at this end of the hotel. The windows are soundproof, although there is a gap under the entrance door from the hallway. There was a lot of ruckus the night of our stay from kids running up and down the halls. Fortunately, the guests above us were relatively quiet. 

Guestroom 320 in Alpena, Michigan Holiday Inn Express

The bedsheets were silky soft, and the pillows were good quality. The bed seemed smaller than our queen size bed at home. I was actually surprised that hotel staff did not switch our room out for a single king bed, since there were so many families the night of our stay. I did not ask about this at check-in, although I had written in my reservation comments that we only needed one bed.

There is a work desk with chair in this room, and a single soft chair. A suitcase bench is located at the foot of the bed next to the armoire and TV.

Guestroom 320 in Alpena, Michigan Holiday Inn Express

Michigan Tri-Cities Area: Saginaw, Frankenmuth, Bay City, Midland

 March 2021, Weekday and Weekend days

Covered bridge in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Recreation: hiking, bicycle trails, etc.

We loved all the hiking and biking trails in the towns we visited! We were disappointed we missed a few, which we will try to visit next time.  😊

Gunzenhausen Street Walkway in Frankenmuth looking south.
Holiday Inn Express straight ahead on the right.

In Frankenmuth, we walked through River Place Shops, over the covered bridge, along Cass River (Gunzenhausen Street Walkway, and the area north of the bridges), and to Frankenmuth Brewery. All of the walkways are paved, and beautifully landscaped. Some of the concrete and landscaping was brand new.

You can cross the river in three spots: the covered bridge, the pedestrian bridge next to Main Street, and there is a walkway alongside the road on Main Street.  

Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Riverwalk Trail is located in Heritage Park north of Bavarian Inn Lodge. We did not walk this trail because it was windy and cold out, and we did not realize until later, that we could have gotten to the park by walking through the Bavarian Inn parking lot and then out to the sidewalk. This would have been an easy addition to the route we took, if we had known. 

White peacock in front of Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Be sure to stop and see the peacocks and doves on the grounds of Bavarian Inn Lodge near the covered bridge!

Bavarian Belle Riverboat area, and River Place Shops
in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

We enjoyed a peaceful and scenic walk through River Place Shops, as the stores were still closed when we walked through the area in the morning.

Woodland Trail map in Saginaw, Michigan. 

In Saginaw, we hiked Woodland Trail [nature area]. I could not find a trail map online before our visit, so I have included a photo of the map that is in the parking lot. I suggest printing this, or taking a photo when you arrive, as the trails are not well marked. There were signs at the beginning of the trail where River Trail splits off; however, we did not see any signs when we rejoined Woodland Trail from the river.

Tittabawassee River from River Trail in Saginaw, Michigan.