Ann Arbor/Bloomington/State College/College Park hotel recommendations?

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

My husband and son are visiting some colleges next week. Would anyone who is really familiar with any of these areas be able to recommend a clean, nice hotel in any of them? Doesn't have to be fancy but shouldn't be a dump either....

Ann Arbor, MI
Bloomington, IN
College Park, MD
State College, PA

Thanks!

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Sharon, our favorite in State College, PA (we've stayed there many, many times) is the Hampton Inn & Suites Williamsburg Square.

http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hote...tyhocn=SCEHSHX

We like the location, and the hotel is fairly new. There are a couple other hotels right there that are nice as well, a Springhill Suites and a Holiday Inn Express.

Also, most colleges will have a link on their website to hotels/motels in the area. Sometimes these places will give a discount if you are visiting the school.

[bnoble Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bnoble]

When we're hosting faculty candidates, we usually put them in one of these two:

Ann Arbor hotels, Ann Arbor Michigan hotel - Bell Tower Hotel, Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor Michigan Hotels | Campus Inn Hotel | University of Michigan

Both might be a little more than you're looking for, but both are within walking distance of Central Campus. There are also rooms at the Leauge, but I'm not sure if you have to be visiting for "an event" or if just anyone can rent them:

University Unions Services - Inn at the Michigan League

When I host meetings, I typically try to hold them in the League, and have out-of-town guests stay there. They give it good marks. The League rooms will probably be a bit less expensive.

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

Thank you very much! Two down, two to go!

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Sharon, if you don't get input on the other locations, check the college websites for recommendations. That is pretty much how I found all of the places we stayed during college visits.

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

Luanne, what are the names of the college websites? I know about College Confidential but that's about it....

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

I mean the website for the colleges your son is going to visit. For example, I assume in State College (which I've already given you a recommendation) he's visiting Penn State. You'd go to the Penn State website. Usually there is a link for Parents, or for Prospective Students. From there you can usually get to a link of local hotels.

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

Thanks again. Luanne, I started at the websites, but they seem to list all the local places and some of them didn't have good reviews. I figured it would be faster to ask some people who have been there!

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Thanks again. Luanne, I started at the websites, but they seem to list all the local places and some of them didn't have good reviews. I figured it would be faster to ask some people who have been there!

And you can see how many responses you've gotten, .

What I did was use the college websites to see which hotels they listed, then I'd go to tripadvisor to see if there were any reviews.

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

College Park

Sharon,

I haven't chimed in, even though I live (sometimes) in the DC area because I'm not familiar with that side of DC at all. BWI airport area isn't too far from there and there are lots of hotels around it. I'm sure there are some closer to College Park, I just don't know that area. Closer into DC the area isn't too good, but again I can't tell you where bad ends and good starts. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Nancy

[SallyHoover Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close SallyHoover]

College Park Hotels

There is a Marriot and a Sheraton in the College Park area. I've never stayed in either but I am sure they are nice. College Park is on the Green metro line and can be used for easy commutes into and from DC if you don't want to deal with driving in the District and want to get in some sightseeing while there. Greenbelt is the next stop on the green line. It also has plenty of hotels. My family has used priceline for hotels near DC and College Park is an option for area for MD suburbs of DC. I don't doubt that you would be ok in the 3 and 3.5* places. There could be safety issues in some of the areas but the better hotels should have adequate security if needed or be in better areas.

T

[EAM Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close EAM]

Bloomington, IN area

I replied to your post OY but thought I'd reply here as well and give a little more detail.

When we go to the hills of Indiana, we usually stay at Hotel Nashville in Nashville, IN. Nashville is an artsy-touristy area about a half hours' drive from Bloomington via IN 46, which is a lovely drive in spring when the redbuds and dogwoods are blooming and also in the fall when the leaves change color. The redbuds are just starting to bloom now. It will be a couple of weeks or so until the dogwoods are blooming.

If you would prefer to stay on campus, you can get lodging at the Indiana Memorial Union.

Monroe and Brown Counties in Indiana are some of my favorite places. I was in Bloomington for four years as a student and for one semester as visiting faculty, but that was all a long time ago. However, I still go back for the ethnic food, bookstores, opera, etc. Let me know if I can answer any other questions about the area or about IU.