Where to Stay in Ann Arbor

Downtown Ann Arbor puts you within walking distance of the University of Michigan campus, restaurants on Main Street, and the Michigan Theater. If you're visiting for a football game, the Stadium Boulevard area offers hotels with shuttles to Michigan Stadium, though prices spike on game weekends. The Kerrytown neighborhood north of downtown has quieter boutique options near the farmers market.

Weekend rates during home football games (September through November) typically jump from $150–200 to $300–500 per night, sometimes higher for premium properties. The Graduate Ann Arbor and Bell Tower Hotel are within walking distance of the stadium but book months ahead. For better rates, consider staying in nearby Ypsilanti (10 minutes east) or Brighton (20 minutes west) and driving in.

The Hampton Inn on Jackson Avenue and Fairfield Inn near Briarwood Mall offer reliable mid-range options around $120–160 per night outside peak weekends. The Lamp Post Inn on Plymouth Road is an independent motel with basic rooms under $100, popular with visiting families. Airbnb rentals in the Old West Side or Burns Park neighborhoods often cost less than downtown hotels and give you a residential feel.

Downtown keeps you close to central campus, the Diag, and evening spots like the Blind Pig or Zingerman's Deli, but parking costs $15–25 per day at most hotels. Hotels along State Street (US-23) or near I-94 offer free parking and are a 10-minute drive to campus, which works if you have a car. If you're here for a campus tour or prospective student visit, downtown saves you the hassle of moving your car multiple times.

The neighborhoods around Nichols Arboretum on the east side (near Geddes Avenue) are residential and peaceful, with a few small inns and vacation rentals. The Weber's Inn on Jackson Road sits in a quiet stretch west of downtown with large grounds and a pool, popular with families. Avoid South University Avenue and the area around campus bars on Thursday through Saturday nights if you want guaranteed quiet.

Most chain hotels along Briarwood Circle (Red Roof Inn, La Quinta, Residence Inn) welcome pets with no extra fees or nominal charges around $25 per stay. Downtown, the Graduate Ann Arbor allows dogs up to 25 pounds for a fee. Always confirm weight limits and fees when booking, as policies change seasonally.

The Bell Tower Hotel on South Thayer is the only AAA Four Diamond property in town, an elegant brick building steps from campus with a rooftop bar overlooking the stadium. The Campus Inn on Huron Street has hosted visitors since the 1920s and sits directly across from the Diag. For true historic character, check vacation rentals in the Old Fourth Ward, where you'll find Victorian homes converted into guest suites.

Commencement weekend in late April or early May books up six months to a year ahead, with prices comparable to football weekends. The Bell Tower, Graduate, and downtown properties fill first. If you're coming for a specific college ceremony, reserve as soon as the date is announced—waiting until March leaves you with slim pickings or a 30-minute commute from Ypsilanti or Saline.

Ann Arbor doesn't have a traditional hostel, but the Lamp Post Inn and Red Roof Inn near Briarwood are the most affordable hotels, often under $90 on weeknights. Solo travelers also book private rooms through Airbnb in student-heavy areas like Packard Road or near Washtenaw Avenue, where you can find entire studio apartments for $60–80 per night outside event weekends.

The hospital complex sits on the northeast side of central campus near Fuller Road. The Residence Inn and Courtyard Marriott on South State Street are a 5-minute drive or a short bus ride on the hospital shuttle route. Some families of long-term patients use extended-stay hotels like TownePlace Suites or rent furnished apartments in the nearby Burns Park or Geddes neighborhoods for stays longer than a few weeks.

Downtown hotels typically charge $15–25 per night for parking, and street parking near them is metered or permit-only. Chain hotels along Plymouth Road, Briarwood Circle, and near I-94 all offer free parking. If you're visiting without a car, downtown is walkable and served by the AATA bus system, so paying for hotel parking isn't necessary.

Hampton Inn on Jackson Avenue and Fairfield Inn near Briarwood both serve complimentary hot breakfast with eggs, waffles, and coffee. The Residence Inn has a similar spread and works well for families staying multiple nights. Downtown hotels rarely include breakfast, but you're steps from Northside Grill, Angelo's, or Zingerman's Roadhouse if you'd rather eat out.