Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, Michigan: Marriott at Eagle Crest, Hiking, Dining & Breweries

December 2021, Weekend-weekdays between Christmas and New Years

Sunset from guestroom 834 in Marriott Ypsilanti Eagle Crest

Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest king concierge guestroom 834

We had a great stay at this hotel in 2014, so we chose it again for this trip. Unfortunately, this stay was not as impressive as last time. As a gold member, I did not initially receive any extra perks or an upgrade, even though the hotel was not very full, and the app had said I was eligible for an upgrade, when I checked in. I received a notification the afternoon before our arrival saying that guestroom 518 was ready for us. I then sent a message to the hotel to ask about a concierge room upgrade (I had already checked online, and knew there were rooms available). I received a reply telling me there were plenty of rooms available, and that I would receive a new key shortly. The next mobile key I received was for guestroom 834 on the concierge floor.

Concierge guestroom 834 in Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest

The bed was comfortable with the usual good quality Marriott linens. Along with the king size bed and nightstands, this guestroom contained a large flatscreen TV, work desk and chair, small table, and one soft chair. A small fridge, ice bucket, and coffeemaker were located under the TV. There were no cups in the guestroom; none for coffee nor with the ice bucket. We had to make two trips downstairs to get these items. I like the small reading lights in many Marriott hotels on the bed headboards; however, neither of the lights above the bed in this guestroom worked. I tried all the switches in the guestroom to make sure the lights were not also connected to something else. 

[Non] connecting room door in guestroom 834
in Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest

I had requested a corner quiet room away from the elevator; guestroom 834 is located next to the concierge lounge and across from the elevator. We could hear the elevator ding every time it stopped on our floor. There is a large gap at the bottom of the guestroom door. This guestroom overlooks the parking lot, and has a closed off connecting room door to the lounge. I felt like we had been given one of the worst guestrooms on the concierge floor. 

A few additional disappointments with this room: The heater in the guestroom did not work when we arrived, and we waited over 20 minutes for someone to come and fix it (the batteries were dead, so the control panel was not working). When I inquired about a robe, I was told the hotel no longer has them. The caulk around the bathtub was peeling, and the seal was so poor, that there was a puddle of water on the floor in the corner next to the tub after every shower, even though we had the shower curtain in the tub properly. Apparently, housekeeping is only offered when requested, because no one came to our guestroom during stayover. We requested fresh washcloths and coffee supplies via the app after realizing this when we returned to our room that evening. 

Concierge lounge in Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest

The concierge lounge is a spacious and comfortable room. I was able to print a document from the computer and printer when it opened on Monday. It was not open when we arrived on Sunday evening. It was open with only snacks and beverages starting Monday morning. Items included coffee, tea, bagels, yogurt, instant oatmeal, granola bars, chips, nuts, package cookies, and cold beverages. I called the front desk on Monday evening to inquire about food in the lounge, because in addition to snacks, the website says concierge rooms also include: "Complimentary food - Hot buffet breakfast - hors d'oeuvres - dessert - Cocktails, for a fee." The agent I spoke with said they have not been offering anything except the grab-and-go items since COVID. When I made our reservation, concierge rooms were available for $20 more per night. At the time of this post, just a few days after our stay, concierge rooms are no longer available to reserve. Possibly, I was not the only to inquire about lounge offerings. 

Closed pool and whirlpool tub in Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest

The pool area was closed for renovations during our stay, which I had not noticed when we made our reservation. This information was not on the Marriott app; I saw the note on the website a few day before our stay. This was another disappointment, as the pool area is spacious, and we had enjoyed the spa tub during our last stay.

Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest from North Bay Park island trail

North Bay Park trail below 

Carnival Valor Ports of Call on Western Caribbean 4-day and 5-day cruises: Cozumel and Progresso

November - December 2021

Carnival Valor from Puerto Maya pier in Cozumel.

We did not go on any excursions at either of these ports, although we did get off the ship in both locations. You can find additional information about Cozumel in my previous posts by clicking on the label at the bottom of this post.

COVID guidelines for disembarking in Mexico: unvaccinated guests are only allowed to disembark on a Carnival "bubble tour." Vaccinated guests may disembark on their own. Masks are required for all when inside and outside. Social distancing is also recommended.

Cozumel: 8:15 AM - 3:30 PM 

Carnival Valor was scheduled to dock at the Puerto Maya cruise terminal the same length of time for both cruises. The first week, we did not leave Cozumel until 4:30 PM. We watched many people returning to the ship during the last hour. At least one person had a roller bag, as if we were possibly waiting for a delayed crew member. It is also possible that a Carnival excursion returned late, since there were quite a few passengers returning in small groups together. When we passed our room steward in the hall that evening, she made brief mention of our stay being extended until 4:30. She did not explain this, and we did not ask her about it. If there was an announcement about our stay being extended, we missed it.

Puerto Maya pier in Cozumel with only one other ship in port.
Top: view from cabin 7220. Bottom: view from serenity spa tubs.

There were only two ships (counting Carnival Valor) in Cozumel when were there on our 4-day cruise on a Saturday. 

Puerto Maya pier in Cozumel with four other ships in port.
Bottom photo taken from cabin 7220 on Carnival Valor.

On our 5-day cruise, the ship docked on a Wednesday, and there were five ships in port. Even though we docked in a different location each time, our cabin was still on the best viewing side of the ship.

Carnival Valor Cruise: 4 and 5 day Western Caribbean from Port of New Orleans

November - December 2021

You can find additional photos for these cruises in the Carnival Valor Facebook album. I am sharing only a few of them here.

Carnival Valor docked at Port of New Orleans

Pre-cruise

This was our first experience cruising since the pandemic, and the weeks leading up to the cruise were a tad stressful. Even though we are fully vaccinated, we had to have negative COVID tests less than 48 hours before the cruise. This is more difficult if you are flying. Many locations that offer no-charge tests, do not schedule appointments until a couple of days ahead of time, so it is difficult to pre-plan. If we had not booked this cruise a couple of years ago, before the pandemic, I doubt we would be going  on any cruises. If we could have had our tests done even one day earlier (3 days ahead, instead of 2), it would have lessoned the anxiety. Two days is not much time when you do not live near the cruise port, and you cannot make an advance appointment. Many people are paying for in-home tests ($69 for 2), or having the test done at the cruise port for $150 each; however, that is not an expense we had planned on when booking our cruise. The online health assessment that needs to be completed, was available to complete the day before we were allowed to have our COVID test. 😳  

This was also our first back-to-back (B2B) cruise; a 4-day and then a 5-day. Before the pandemic, we had been nearing our 25th cruise, which we wanted to take as a Panama Canal cruise. I am not sure where we are headed with those plans now. 

Arrival and check-in at Port of New Orleans

We checked in online, as usual. I had read many complaints about pre-boarding not being offered for elite guests; however, when we checked in, the process led me to believe that this would be happening. Check-in was available for platinum and diamond guests a couple of days before everyone else. The appointment times on the boarding passes also included zone numbers; ours was A01. Our son had the same check-in time as us, and as a gold member, his boarding pass said zone A04.

Carnival information says not to arrive at the port until your appointment time, because you will be turned away. That was not happening the day we departed. We arrived at 10:00 AM, which is the earliest appointment time scheduled, and the area was already packed! The check-in process was very quick, and then we found seats to wait for boarding. There was a VIP waiting area for guests with suites; however, there was not an area for platinum or diamond guests. Our A01 zone was the second to board, right after guests in suites. We were on the ship before 11:00 AM.

Sunrise from cabin 7220 on Carnival Valor at New Orleans port

Balcony cabin 7220, category 8B

Our cabin keys were in the mailbox in an envelope when the cabin was ready. This was around noon for us (platinum), and 1:30 PM for other passengers. Our luggage was delivered very quickly--right after our room was ready.

Sunset from cabin 7220 on Carnival Valor departing Progresso

This cabin is back just far enough from the front of the ship so that the bridge did not obstruct our view. The cabin is on a great side of the ship for the routes we were on. We were on the dock side at every port except when we were docked in New Orleans. And, in New Orleans we thought the river view was better. You can see more port photos showing the views from this cabin in the Facebook album (link above). 

Sunset from cabin 7220 on Carnival Valor 

This is a basic balcony cabin on Empress deck. It contained a sofa, chair, small table, vanity stool, small flatscreen TV, small fridge, safe, and hairdryer. The safe locked with a strip card, rather than by entering a code. The fridge worked very well. There were two chairs and a small table on the balcony.

Cabin 7220 on Carnival Valor

We had sufficient storage space in the four drawers and three closets for two people for nine days. One of the three closets contained shelves; the other two had hangers. 

Bathroom in cabin 7220 on Carnival Valor.

Amenities in the bathroom included bar soap, shampoo, and shower gel. Our shower drain was sluggish. We did not turn the water on all the way, because the shower would get close to overflowing when on full blast. Our son used our shower once, because there was one day when the water in his cabin was cold (interior cabin 6214).

It was quiet and comfortable in both our cabins. The only problem we encountered (other than the sluggish drain) was from people smoking on their balconies. Most times, it was difficult to tell where this was coming from, which makes it impossible to resolve.

Food & beverages

Guests were expected to check-in on the app for a table when going for breakfast or brunch (I assume this is the same for anytime dining, as well). You have the option to choose as many companions from your group as desired for check-in. There is also an option to check whether you want to be seated alone or with others; however, this did not always work. Sometimes, we were seated with others when we had not chosen that option, and sometimes we were seated alone.

Huevos Rancheros and cheese grits at Sea day brunch

New Orleans: Kimpton Hotel Fontenot

 November 2021, weekday, 1-night, king suite 808

View from bedroom window in suite 808 Kimpton Hotel Fontenot

Pre-arrival and mishap with first airport hotel reservation 

This hotel reservation was an unplanned booking for us. We had originally planned to stay at the DoubleTree MSY airport, as our flight was not arriving until evening. We were staying just the one night, and had planned to get a ride from the airport to the cruise port in the morning. About 7 weeks before our stay at the DoubleTree, we found out our reservation had been cancelled. We were NOT notified of the cancellation, even though the Hilton website stated that a cancellation notice had been sent. I knew about the damages from Hurricane Ida, so I had been checking our reservation periodically to make sure all was well. One day when I checked, I saw the reservation had been cancelled. This may have happened as much as a week before I discovered it, as I was only checking every few days. I checked all my SPAM and trash folders after I saw the cancellation on their website, to make sure I had not missed a notification, and there was nothing I had missed. I then wrote a letter to Hilton expressing my disappointment with the way the cancellation had been handled. As a diamond member, I expected they would at least rebook a room in a similar location for a similar price. Apparently, I have too high of expectations! The reply from Hilton (3 weeks after I submitted it) basically just told me to call customer service to make a new reservation. Another Hilton diamond disappointment. I am slowly realizing the unappreciated loyalty I have been giving to this hotel chain. 

After the cancellation, I considered Hilton properties at the airport and downtown, before deciding to forgo Hilton and go with Kimpton Hotel Fontenot, an IHG property. This was our first stay at a Kimpton Hotel, and this stay won me over as a loyal guest! Since we were not arriving until evening, I contacted the hotel beforehand via email with our expected arrival time, and a few questions. The immediate reply I received said we had been upgraded to a suite, and that we would receive "a bit of lagniappe," since we were going to miss the evening social hour.

Amenity in our suite in Kimpton Hotel Fontenot 

Check-in and platinum perks

I had reserved a king guestroom with points, and as I already mentioned, we were upgraded to a suite. When we arrived, it took a few minutes to check-in at the front desk, and our amenity was in the suite.

Suite #808

The guestroom was clean, spacious, and comfortable. Even though we were not on the top floor (my usual preference), we did not hear any noise overhead. 

Kimpton Hotel Fontenot wardrobe closet in suite 808

The suite entrance from the hall opened into the living area, which was quite spacious. Other than the amenity and wardrobe photos above, I forgot to take photos of this room. Furnishings I recall included: a large desk with plenty of outlets, desk chair, sofa, coffee table, large flatscreen TV, cabinet under the TV, small table and chairs (in front of window, partially visible in amenity photo), and a padded suitcase bench.

I loved the luxurious bathrobes in the wardrobe closet. A small fridge is located behind the door under the ice bucket. The door between the living area and bedroom could be closed.