World Series 2012: The MLB Hotel Rundown

Game one of the 2012 World Series is going down tonight in San Francisco as the Giants take on the Detroit Tigers for (global?) supremacy. Though we here at Oyster are still mourning the Yanks not making the cut (we blame umpires, A-Rods, and ankles -- in that order), it won't stop us from tuning into this series with high hopes for some first-class baseball. And we're also hoping to get the skinny on the first-class digs Verlander & Co. will be calling home during their stint in San Fran — as well which hotels are big enough to fit a roster full of Giants in Detroit. So we dug through the baseball archives and discovered the MLB's favorite hotels while visiting these championship cities in the past. These hotels, not surprisingly, feature all kinds of ballplayer-approved amenities, including state-of-the-art fitness centers and luxe beds perfect for getting a good night's sleep. The Giants and the Tigers definitely won't be able to blame any lackluster performances on where they batter shack up.

Though both teams are being awfully mum on where they'll be staying (they do want to try to get some rest), chances are the Tigers will be bedding up at San Francisco's historic grand dame, The Westin St. Francis. Almost all MLB teams opt to stay at this Westin when facing off against the Giants thanks to its solid location and bevy of amenities. This turn of the century hotel features spacious and modern rooms, amazing panoramic views of the city, and an acclaimed restaurant from Michael Mina. If all goes well for the Tigers, they might stop in at the happening Clock Bar for a post-game toast (and if things go badly, they might just stop by anyway to drown their sorrows instead). But most likely, you'll find the Tigers at the 24-hour fitness center, which boasts two stories of Life Fitness cardio machines, strength-training machines, free weights, and even a Nintendo Wii Fitness system for those players looking to infuse some fun into their workouts as well.

Sadly, Oyster has yet to make its way to Motor City (so stay tuned!), but we've heard nice things about The Townsend, one of the most popular hotels for the MLB when taking on Detroit. Located a half hour away from the stadium in ritzy Birmingham, Michigan, The Townsend exudes old-world elegance and a formal air — the Giants are sure to be pampered by the staff, which is well-versed in catering to ballplayers and celebrities alike. The on-site Rugby Grill is a delicious spot at which to wind down after a long game, but the hotel is also within easy walking distance of many nice restaurants and art galleries (should the players have the urge to fit a little culture into their schedule). The rooms, featuring traditional decor, deep soaking tubs, and 300-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets will act as welcoming havens for the team, and the fitness center is packed with state-of-the-art Precor treadmills and Cybex weight machines.


RELATED LINKS:

• Yankees versus Red Sox: The greatest rivalry in sports, hotel edition
• Vacation like a US Olympian
• The 5 best workout spots for celebrity sightings