Can anyone give suggestions about Weber's Inn in Ann Arbor? I remembered them as being more expensive than I'm currently finding which can sometimes mean a decline in the hotel. I'm going to be in Jackson next weekend but none of the hotels in Jackson look appealing. If not Weber's - any suggestions? Thanks!

That's really a tough one as Ann Arbor is a college town and the hotels are geared towards the football crowds staying overnight on the weekends. I don't know really anything about the hotels, but I think if you actually found a quaint inn to stay at then that's what you should go with. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Actually, I'd say that most hotels in Ann Arbor are geared toward business - just like most other places. Football Saturdays comprise 6 or 7 days per year. No hotel exists because of college footabll.

I don't really know about the quality of the rooms/service at Webers as I've never stayed there - I live just about 1/4 mile away. But, the restaurant is really nice still, and as far as I know from people who have lived in town for a while, Webers is still considered a very nice, family run hotel. Maybe prices have gone down due to competition? Right across the street there are now a Super 8, Best Western and Microtel, plus tons of moderate chain hotels have popped up over near the mall area in the last 5-10 years.

Certainly Webers is convenient to getting to Jackson! Is there something in particular you're looking for in the hotel?

Hi - I travel to Ann Arbor every month for business and stay at the Campus Inn. It's very comfortable, very clean, and the people who work there are great. I've also stayed at the Bell Tower in Ann Arbor (owned by the same people as Campus Inn) -- another very nice hotel -- looks more upscale inside than Campus Inn but they are very comparable. In the 7 years I've been traveling to Ann Arbor I've never stayed at Weber's Inn -- it looks too "cheesey" to me on the internet. I would suggest you give Campus Inn a try.

Both Campus Inn and Bell Tower Hotel are downtown Ann Arbor and in walking distance from most of the UofM Campus and many great downtown restaurants.

Stay away from Kensington Court in Ann Arbor -- ick!

www.campusinn.com
www.belltowerhotel.copm

Thank you all very much! I was hoping to find a quaint little hotel/inn. I'm surprising my husband with a weekend at the Civil War Muster in Jackson for his birthday (he's a huge history buff). I also wanted a nice dinner so maybe Weber's is the way to go. I will also check out Bell Tower - thanks everyone.

In that case, it might make more sense to stay downtown at either hotel already mentioned, or even a bed & breakfast if that interests you. There are two near downtown that I've always thought looked cute, but have never stayed at. If you want the names I can try to find them.

Although the restaurant at Weber's is quite nice, it wouldn't generally be my choice given all the other wonderful options in town. Because we can walk there, it suits us sometimes just fine, but staying and eating downtown would probably be more enjoyable.

Did you have any particular cuisine and budget in mind for the nice dinner? Ann Arbor has so many great restaurants to choose from.

If you'd like a special birthday treat for your husband, or just a way to cool off after a long day in the sun, try The Parlour. It's an old fashioned ice cream parlor with huge, but reasonably priced, sundaes.

http://www.jacksonmagazine.com/best_icecream.php

Thanks Merry Travel - I'm already planning on stopping at the Parlor (heard lots about it).

jlm - I had thought about a b&b - do you know the names? Also, I've heard the Prickly Pear for dinner is good - any comments? I've been to the Real Seafood Company in AA and although it was good, I think I'd like something different. Maybe a steakhouse? Thanks!

SOrry guys I didn't mean to imply that the hotels in Ann Arbor were there for the sole purpose of the football crowd. I what I meant was I think that everything is mostly nice motels and hotels and that I don't think there are too many Inns in the area.

tdmort I do know that there are several B&B's in the Chelsea area. And the Common Grill right in town is a great restaurant.

I am a huge fan of Prickly Pear--there is also a steak house (The Chop House) on Main, just north of Prickly Pear. However, you will spend around 3 times as much. My husband and I went last year and spent over $225--and that was with 3 drinks only.

I've also had a fantastic meal at the Common Grill.

Hope you have a great weekend!

The Bell Tower Hotel has a great French restaurant called The Earle Uptown. Additionally, there is a lesser price Earle downtown on Washington Street. Both are great and have great wine lists but I prefer the one downtown -- it's dark and has great atmosphere. Website is www.theearle.com.

Another fantastic restaurant I highly recommend is the West End Grill -- also great atmosphere and the food is fantastic. It's on West Liberty Ave.

Have a great time!

After living in Ann Arbor for almost 10 years, I have only just discovered the Prickly Pear, and I love, love, love it!!!!! It's moderately priced (entrees typically in the $15-$20 range) and the food is sooooo good! I have had the buffalo enchiladas and the chicken enpanadas there. The buffalo enchiladas were so good I thought I had died and gone to heaven. The enpanadas were good tasting, but not over the top good. I've tasted the crab cakes - good, but mushy. I'm told that their outdoor patio (not the sidewalk seating out front) is among the best outdoor eating spots around, but it was closed when I went.

As to a steakhouse - the Chop House is there, and very expensive as mentioned. If you want really good food and don't mind sacrificing atmosphere, Knights is a great steakhouse on the west side of town. It's on Dexter, just east of Maple. There is no name on the sign out front - just a chess knight. I've never had a bad meal there, but the calves liver is the best I've ever tasted, and friends and family rave about the prime rib. They also have really tasty hamburgers.

As to bed and breakfasts, here are a few:

I've toured the gardens of this one, and they're very nice! A quaint little outside eating area if the morning is pleasant. It's just a couple blocks west of main street, so an easy walk to downtown http://www.firststreetgardeninn.com/

This one is more on the campus side - on Huron Street, near the bell tower. I don't know anything about it, except that every time I drive by I think I'd like to stay there sometime. http://annarborbedandbreakfast.com/

There are some others listed in the Yahoo! Yellow Pages if you search Ann Arbor, but I don't know anything about them.

I wish I could offer more personal reviews of them, but haven't had much need for them living here.

Does Prickly Pear or Knights have a website?