Ann Arbor Regent Hotel & Suites

This tidy, independent hotel attracts a diverse clientele, from business travelers, hospital patients, and university parents to transient leisure travelers and groups attending sports tournaments or weddings. It makes a good first impression even though the lobby is rather staid, with a dark wood registration desk, high ceilings, and brown damask carpet. But further inspection reveals some playful touches, like a large sculpture of a tuxedo-clad frog playing a violin, and several pieces of interesting, surrealist-style art. Comfortable sofas and armchairs are tucked into corners, providing quiet and cozy spots to relax. The game room above the lobby can become a lively area in the evening at times, but the Regent is generally a quiet hotel with a friendly and relaxed vibe. The lovely courtyard is a particularly peaceful place. 

The Regent sits on a busy road between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, close to the intersection of Interstate 94 and Highway 23. Other hotels, commercial buildings, and restaurants line the road, including an adjacent Bob Evans and a Red Lobster across the street. A few other restaurants are within a short walk, and a large retail complex with a grocery store is just a couple of minutes away by car. The hotel operates a free shuttle to area hospitals including St. Joseph (eight minutes) and the University of Michigan Hospital (12 minutes). Downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan Stadium, and the main university campus are 15-minute drives, depending on traffic. It’s a 10-minute drive to Ypsilanti, and approximately eight minutes by car to Eastern Michigan University. Depending on traffic, it takes about 30 minutes to drive to Detroit’s airport.

Travelers who have stayed in mid-range chain hotels should find these tidy rooms familiar in many respects. They are decorated in soft earth tones, with white walls and duvets, green- and gold-patterned carpet, and striped drapes in brown, gray, and blue. Tasteful art depicting pastoral scenes adds some color and class to decor that otherwise is low on personality. Dark wood furniture includes headboards and desks with two upholstered armchairs. Larger suites with wet bars and sleeper sofas in separate living areas are available. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and flat-screen TVs, but there are no safes. Bathrooms are the most attractive aspect of guest rooms, with wide, granite vanities and shower/tub combos framed by beige marble tiling. Units are generally quiet, and the best views overlook the peaceful landscaped courtyard.  

This property has some nice features for a hotel in its category, but a few have drawbacks. There's a free hot breakfast buffet that includes eggs, although the area where it's served is cramped and lines can form at times. Free coffee is available all day, as are newspapers found in the lobby, and there's a lovely landscaped courtyard with tables and a fountain that's a peaceful place to enjoy them. However, the hotel doesn't have a full restaurant or bar on-site. For wellness, the indoor pool is small, but there's an adjacent whirlpool that’s part of a large and cheerful patio area that has a skylight, tables, and tropical plants. While the fitness center offers enough space, it only has four pieces of cardio equipment and no weight-training equipment. The game room in a loft above the lobby that features a billiards table, foosball table, and indoor shuffleboard is great perk. The hotel has event space for up to 120 people, as well as free Wi-Fi throughout and two computers tucked away in the lobby that serves as the business center. On-site parking is free, as is the hotel shuttle that takes guests to local hospitals.