1. The Kensington Hotel

    1. The Kensington Hotel

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    Ann Arbor, MI

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    The Kensington Hotel

    3.8 (68 reviews)
    ModerateHotels
    Open Open 24 hours

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    Elizabeth B.

    Stayed 3 nights and were so impressed with the value of what we experienced/received. We were greeted warmly upon arrival and offered a champagne to toast - how cool is that? We were on the second floor and had a private greenery view facing the interstate (which wasn't that loud), honestly it was very quiet the whole stay and we enjoyed the blackout curtains at night. We appreciated the coffee/tea in the room, the fridge/microwave, and tv - not smart. Housekeeping came by each day and were quick to replace an iron for us that was damaged and had something on it that stained our clothing. We did utilize the pool, hot tub, sauna, and back patio (should have used the gym - it looked great for those keeping up their routines - 2 ellipticals, 2 treadmills, and weights)! There was a wedding the weekend we were here, and it was cool to see the staff working seamlessly. Everything was very clean and safe. The bed was firm, room was cool, water was hot. The only not so perfect things to mention - the pillows, meh, bring your own if you can, the sink didn't drain well. The location was perfect - a short drive to anything we wanted to do. We visited U of M, the arboretum, the botanical garden, and had the best meals and went to Detroit for one day! We also checked out the Briarwood Mall that is shared space with this hotel - nice area to go walk around/explore/shop/eat. Only recommendations would be to add a shelf beneath the sink for storing items, and new pillows.

    John D.

    Let's cut to the chase: I LOVED staying at this hotel. Want more? Ok: For starters I'm a huge fan of historic places so if I can stay at a hotel rooted in history vs a cookie cutter I'll pick it every time. In addition I chose it because there is a shuttle that takes you straight from the front door to The Big House/Michigan Stadium, which was a key reason for my visit, to see the Michigan vs Illinois game. Service was spot on. The front desk folks were very nice and the people serving breakfast were kind and funny- they let me stay longer than the 11am cutoff given the snow and my awkward time situation with checkout and flight etc. Breakfast was buffet style, $18. Not bad at all and it's all you can eat. Very tasty, and most notable it's one of the only times I've had crispy bacon in a setting like this. Most times, it's chewy and sad. Good job. In addition to the historic charm the room was nice. Definitely very cozy/small giving off NYC hotel vibes. But since I was only doing a weekend stay and not a 2 week stay, that was totally fine. I booked through HotelTonight and got a decent deal on the nights as well. Come here especially if you're thinking about going to a game and you don't want to deal with Bell Tower and other's prices but still want a great experience.

    Chelsea C.

    This review is for their banquet space:: Came here on a Tuesday evening for a lecture/dinner that was organized by my employer and hosted by the hotel. The event space was large but not overwhelming and very clean. It was a pleasant surprise to find that our dinner for the evening was a tacos bar!!! Being able to participate in a work event and still enjoy taco Tuesday was a fantastic surprise! The food was delicious and also gluten-free... As long as you know what items you can and cannot have. Coffee and tea were also options for a beverages, as well as a water pitcher in the center of your table within the banquet room. Staff were prompt to clean up our dishes and stayed hidden in the background. I thoroughly enjoyed this establishment

    Pool area

    I stayed here for one night for a work trip and was very satisfied with my stay. The hotel was clean, the staff were friendly, and the room was nice. I love hotels with nice pools and hot tubs so this was great to me. The only thing I wish is that they had flatter pillows and that the sauna was working but I wouldn't knock it for those small things. Overall I liked it and would definitely stay here again!

    Pool bathroom
    Michelle H.

    I have been to over 150 football games and I never noticed this really cool hotel at I-94 and State street, The Kensington Hotel. The rooms are spacious, very clean, and have nice comfortable beds. The food is tasty and front desk is on point, the staff is very friendly and helpful. They enjoy there jobs and it shows. The bonus is the warmest hotel pool in the world. The pool is massive in size, the deep end is over 9 feet deep. If you need a hotel in the metro detroit area I highly recommend the Kensington hotel.

    Clean and comfortable room
    Kimberly K.

    I booked the Kensington Hotel for one night and was given the VIP treatment upon check in. Literally. They upgraded me to the Superior King room on the executive level with late check out. They have a evening social hour from 5-7 with complementary wine and hors d'oeuvres. The hotel is nicely appointed and the decor is fresh and modern. Guest rooms are clean and comfortable. Decor is minimal. The rooms have a microwave and fridge. The bathroom and shower were on the small side and could stand to be updated but other than that the rooms are very nice. I didn't encounter any issues during my stay and enjoyed a restful nights sleep. Kensington was a great choice and the upgrade was a nice bonus!

    Cheese
    Spamton N.

    Everything was perfect here, amazing rooms,huge pool and food BUT this lady working at the front desk is sooo stuck up she was rude, careless and had no hospitality and just a few minutes ago we got a call from her saying that the room next to us said that we were being too loud and slamming doors When they are just loud it's not our fault that they slam like that! Everything else was perfect except for the front desk lady giving us a hard time also below is a photo of the easy cheese i brung sitting on the chair with a room card

    Kristin M.

    Wowza - What a hidden gem!! I've been visiting Ann Arbor area for years & never knew this place existed. I travel around North America for work every month and this property is easily in my top 3. The room is top notch, the bed is divine, the property is GORGEOUS, and the staff is amazing. HIGHLY recommend!!

    Puppet friendly rooms for only $35 more for the whole stay.
    Beth H.

    This review is for a 100-person holiday party in on event room, and the hotel room itself. 4-stars: hotel room and check in Check-in was friendly and efficient, offering me a glass of bubbly upon arriving. We found ourselves without a sitter for our geriatric pupper for the night of our company holiday party. I am glad I called to ask if the hotel allows dogs. They have a great set up. If you are bringing your dog (dogs only), they will put you on the ground floor, westside, near the side door. There is a grassy area for their use and your convenience that is away from traffic and fairly open. We had no problem getting our guy in and out with minimal disruption to any guests. For our visit, we weren't close to the door but I was glad they could accommodate us. The room was large and clean. Accessible for those with working dogs. Only $35 extra for the whole stay to include our pet. 2-stars: the party facilities and service We are a fun blue-collar shop of guys and gals that like to cut loose and dance. Except when it's 85 degrees in the space and no one wants to dance because they are melting in their dress clothes. That killed the party. Then we tried to get the party started once people changed after dinner, but no one could figure out how to properly dim the lights. That killed the vibe. Kensington can do better. They have done better. What happened? Then there was dinner. No servers to refill water, no water pitchers to refill ourselves. No drinks besides water and coffee. Everyone was so hot, we needed water. I needed a fork and had to track someone down. No one was around. I spent my evening chasing workers to get water pitchers, refill water pitchers, ask someone to check the thermostat, and fetch myself a drink from the bar in Relish, since I gave away my ticket to employees that were complaining about the drink ticket situation. It was too late before realizing the bartender took our issued drink tickets for sodas when they were supposed to be for alcohol. Dude just took them, didn't care. Everyone is given an allotment of drink tickets when they arrive but if you want a regular Coke, it's a drink ticket. You could buy more drink tickets but why when you can pay a dollar more for double the drink in the bar? Unfortunately, I think the company was charged for the $5 alcohol per ticket regardless if they got a $2 soda or whiskey. That's shady Kensington. The only upside to the actual event was that the food was good. I don't know what was up with the bar this year, but Relish was seriously understocked. No Godiva for chocolate martinis as we do there every year. They were out of a couple other things that I asked for too. Had to figure out what they did have in stock to be able to pick a drink. Whoever was at the check in desk at 12am was abbravise and threatening when one of our managers asked if a few people could play a card game in the third floor lounge. "First giggle I hear and you're out!" She was afraid we were going to disturb the other rooms. That's fair but don't need to be so rude. The holiday party was a bust. We couldn't play cards in the ballroom or the lounge. (the lobby table was already full) Everyone went their separate ways. Maybe next year will be better. I'll call ahead to ask them to stock Godiva for martinis, make sure the room is cooler so people can dance, and ask that there be someone attending to the party for guests that need things like WATER.

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    3 years ago

    Beautiful, quaint hotel. Staff was pleasant. Only complaint was the beds were very uncomfortable. Other wise it was lovely.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - The Kensington Hotel

    Review Highlights - The Kensington Hotel

    Although all of the hotel functions were not available due to COVID, we still had a great time.

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    Residence Inn by Marriott Ann Arbor Downtown - Exterior

    Residence Inn by Marriott Ann Arbor Downtown

    (37 reviews)

    $$

    Kerrytown Ann Arbor

    I made arrangements for two international colleagues and one domestic to stay at this hotel for one…read moreweek. I went about a week ahead to check things out and the walking proximity to local businesses as the international guests could not drive. I was introduced to Erin Hill, Director of Sales, who was very kind and helpful when I was sharing my situation and she promptly emailed me with a quote that was competitive. I personally did not stay, but I dropped them off after their arrival and periodically throughout the week. There was a hot breakfast served at 6:30am which was one of the services desired. There was parking nearby for a fee in the parking garage or valet was an option. This hotel was about one block off of Main Street which offered a variety of restaurants and entertainment which was one of the key factors influencing the choice we had of seven hotels provided by a supplier they were visiting. The only challenge was that they were unable to extend their stay when business conditions required four more nights as they were sold out.

    I had a pretty wonderful experience during a 3-night stay here. Front desk staff was super friendly…read moreand helpful. Easy check in and check out. There's also a small market and they provide complimentary bags of ice there to bring up to the rooms. I was placed on the 5th floor and the room was really nice. Like, super nice. Full kitchen (fridge, freezer, microwave, sink, etc.) with cutlery and dishes/cups. It felt like an AirBnB. There was a couch, C-table, desk, drawers, TV (weird orientation, but I didn't use it anyway), comfortable bed, and a nice bathroom. Quiet room too, minus some street noise. There was complimentary breakfast, but I didn't take advantage of it this time. Perhaps next time!

    Library Bed and Breakfast

    Library Bed and Breakfast

    (10 reviews)

    $

    Joan is a wonderful, cultured, and exuberant woman who can give you much insight on Ann Arbor's…read morehistory, UM's football athletics program, and just about anything she collects (UM football memorabilia, miniature books, red items). She knows her way around so please feel welcomed to ask her for directions. Her cozy abode is quirky at first but you'll be drawn by the deep passion this lady has for these knickknacks. Home is well furnished: community bathroom, community kitchen, 3 bedrooms, and dining room (red room) for breakfast. Very clean and full of color. She cooks a pretty good "eggs in a basket" dish that's a scramble of eggs, asparagus, almonds, cranberries, and chicken/asiago cheese sausages. Croissant (so good!), coffee, tea, and orange juice is also available. She's very accommodating so don't be afraid to ask. The only issues we came across were the extra soft beds and fleece sheets that may be uncomfortable for some. Room's aren't too spacious but enough to house two people comfortably (but who stays in on a vacation?). She does have cats but they stay in her room and may roam in the breakfast area. I'm allergic to cats but they were not a problem for me at all. Please do keep the library bed and breakfast in mind the next time you come to Ann Arbor as her price is comparable and she'll make your experience a pleasurable memory!

    I cannot say enough about the experience we had here. We admittedly called VERY late in the…read moreafternoon after a day of Antiquing. The owner, Joan Knoertzer, indicated that she was late for an appointment, but asked for a minute, then came back and told us to come by anyway! We arrive to a non-description residence covered with grapevines and trees on Mary Street, just off the busy corner of Packard and State. You could almost throw a rock and hit the Athletic Administration building we were so close! We parked on the street and walked up the curving steps to warmly greeted by a wonderful lady decked out in full Maize and Blue. This was just the beginning, as we entered which could best described as a bibliophile paradise crossed with a museum to all things Ann Arbor/ U of M. Climbing the steps, you first encounter the Poetry and Mystery Rooms, followed by a full Pullman kitchen and sitting area. If your into Ann Arbor's past, you'll find two great hanging lights from the old Pretzel Bell Restaurant, surrounded by books of all types. Last is the Tiny Book Room, which is filled with - you guessed it - tiny books. We had a great dinner later than night at Melting Pot (review forthcoming) and went to bed early and slept great. We woke up the next morning to amazing smells coming from downstairs, where we and another couple were greeted to fresh coffee, OJ, homemade pumpkin bread and pumpkin butter! This was followed by a fruit course and an amazing quiche. Mixed with a wonderful conversation, we felt like we were totally at home. Even the three cats, Kipling, Cinnamon and, well, I forget the third, treated us well. We then spent the next hour talking about everything books - we just didn't want to leave! Trust me, there is no better place to stay in AA, especially for the price and the food. Try it, you won't be sorry!

    Exhibit A2

    Exhibit A2

    (13 reviews)

    Downtown Ann Arbor

    My thoughts after staying for 2 weeks: -super convenient…read morelocation, can walk anywhere to restaurants, parking garage, super markets, etc -Really convenient to not have to carry around keys (it's by code) -Nice colored mugs and utensils that are necessary -loud music plays on every weekend night and its hard to fall asleep (especially on Sunday nights which is right before a work day! It ends by 10:30pm the latest on most days) -the lights by the bed were not thought out and the switch is far up where you have to get up to turn it off instead of being able to turn it off when lying down -there is a lot of homeless on almost every corner. Sometimes they will ask you things or make comments so beware that you might not always feel safe if you are a female and alone

    Pros: the room here was quite nice for the rate. Everything seemed clean enough…read more Cons: literally everything else. As others have noted, this place is just weird. Firstly, reserving a room and uploading my info was just all around weird and confusing. The keypad was also strange (it's really low, so you can barely see the numbers while homeless people come and ask you for money). The lack of any employees anywhere is bonkers. There's literally no information anywhere, so I was just guessing at what to do half the time. And when I got stuck dealing with the elevator, I had to text some random people (seemed like in India??), wait 5 minutes. Rinse. Repeat. They told me I could street park, which you cannot because all cars are towed if there between 3-6am (a police officer walking by told me that). There's a parking garage nearby, but I also had to figure that out myself. WiFi was spotty, and the people I was texting in India weren't much help. I was told there was no gym and then was told there was. Seemed nice but found out about it too late. Check out is at 10:30, which is fine, but I almost got locked out of the lobby where my bag was. They quite literally deactivate your door code at 10:29am. Thank god for the cleaning staff, who also think this whole place is sketchy AF. In summary: clean but weird, confusing and honestly a tad sketchy. This whole concept is just a non-starter for me, and just a liability waiting to happen. I suggest you avoid it. The downsides are too great.

    The Palmer House - The master bedroom with green views.

    The Palmer House

    (4 reviews)

    It's not cheap, and know what you're getting into but this rental house opportunity for a Frank…read moreLloyd Wright house is amazing for those interested in architecture, history, and just a unique one-of-a-kind experience. Pretty much everything including the furniture is original FLW and lovingly cared for across only 2 owners over the past 70+ years. It's only a few minutes from downtown Ann Arbor and yet within the house it feels like you're in the middle of nowhere not only surrounded by nature but part of it. Plan to spend some significant time in the house if you're staying here, and watch the squirrels, chipmunks, and deer outside that are often right by the windows or will stare at you since you're kind of in their wilderness environment. There are of course quirks about the house and rules given the significance of this FLW "Usonian" house and the costs to maintain and/or repair anything that might have issues. If you're a FLW fan or just like unique experiences definitely check out this house that can be rented through AirBnB or VRBO. There are 7 FLW houses in the U.S. which are available to rent as far as I know, and I'm going to say this is likely the best. Bravo!

    I was looking for unique accommodation in Ann Arbor (other than middle-of-the-road corporate…read morehotels, very hard to find), when I found this unique Frank Lloyd Wright-designed vacation rental on V.R.B.O. So, I decided to book it for a couple days over the Labour Day weekend. The property owners were very nice to us, and made sure we were set for our sojourn in Ann Arbor. Renting this home is not for everybody, that's for sure. You have to put up with F.L.W.'s eccentric designs, and just go with the flow, and see the beauty of this particular home. For, the beds are not rectangular, more triangular. The bathrooms are small, the doors narrow (Mr. & Mrs. Palmer were petite people, as was F.L.W.). Living and dining rooms are spacious, yet, feature F.L.W.'s signature (hard) custom furniture, not exactly comfortable as more modern furniture we're all used to by now. The kitchen is quite small, but, workable for the simplest self-catering - don't expect a Viking range! Remember, this is a 50's home, pretty much left 'as is' in that decade of design. To conclude, one really must love architecture and design in order to make the most out of a stay here. Do not rent this property thinking it will be luxurious and modern by 2000's standards, this will be a big disappointment for you.

    The Kensington Hotel - hotels - Updated July 2026

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