Most area hotels booked, others increase rates for MSU weekend

More than 50,000 visitors are expected to stream into the city of Mount Pleasant to witness a football game this weekend – dubbed “The Clash” between Central Michigan University and Michigan State University.

With about 10 hotels, motels and inns in the area and many are already completely booked the weekend of the game.

While the game is set for Saturday, many visitors are planning on staying the entire weekend. As a result, hotels in the area started booking up.

“I remember we were checking (room availability) in January, and we were nearly full by February,” said Heather Martin, desk clerk at Hampton Inn, 5205 E. Pickard Road. “It was before the football schedule came out, I can tell you that much. Because when we got the football schedule, we were like ‘Woah, we only have eight rooms left!’”

The hotel is now booked up, she said.

Super 8 Motel, 2323 S. Mission St., also booked up quickly.

Stefanie Thomas, desk clerk at Super 8, said the motel has been booked for the weekend since last month.

However, the Baymont Inn and Suites, 5858 E. Pickard Road, is not entirely booked yet.

Employee Kimberly McIntyre said the hotel, as of last week, had about 75 rooms left, but rates are higher for game weekend.

“You can expect to pay about $259 a night for a room with one bed and $269 for two beds,” McIntyre said. “That’s a deal compared to some of the rates for rooms that weekend, as all of the hotels are taking advantage of the opportunity for business.”

Mount Pleasant Inn and Suites, 5500 E. Pickard Road, is offering a rate of $195 a night.