Spark by Hilton Ann Arbor South

The location is great, close to the university, and the room was clean with a comfortable bed. The building is older and has been updated but not remodeled, and that showed in the noisy old heater, whose fan rattled whenever it ran. The in-room refrigerator also made noise all night. The fitness room was adequate but tiny, with only 5-20 lb weights and no mats for floor exercises. The elliptical and treadmill both worked well. Breakfast was okay: cereal, dry oatmeal, a few bagels, juice, apples, and bananas, but no hot food or yogurt.

The only odd thing was that my room was missing soap and an ice bucket. I asked, and staff brought both quickly, though it was strange they weren't there already. Otherwise, the hotel and room were clean and well maintained. The staff were friendly and courteous, breakfast was fine, and the pool and gym were adequate. I stayed while in town to pack up my son's U of M dorm room. The hotel is among lots of other hotels on State Street, in a safe part of town.

We won't be back. After driving here three times a year for six years and staying at this hotel every visit, this was our first stay since the ownership changed, and it was a total downgrade. Our room was next to a couple having sex and playing loud music all night, even though there were only about 10 cars in the parking lot. Breakfast was worse, and our TV flickered on and off all night. The worst part was the “disposable ice buckets”. Nothing in 2026 should be “disposable”.

The second-floor ice machine was the one letdown. The ice looked like melted snow with dirt in it, and I was pretty grossed out. The first-floor machine was fine. Otherwise, a nice hotel for what it is. Breakfast is bagels and other cold options, but there’s a decent selection, and the rooms have smart TVs.