Before European settlement in the 19th century, Kalamazoo was home to Hopewell and Potawatomi Native American tribes. This influence resulted in the area being named Kalamazoo, a Potawatomi word, in 1836. As the city prospered throughout the century, its fertile farmland and connection to the Michigan Central Railroad made it an attractive location for businessmen and entrepreneurs who further industrialized the area.
These days, Kalamazoo attracts thousands of tourists year-round to its beautiful parks, vibrant shops, and distinctive breweries. If visiting Kalamazoo is on your bucket list, it's important that you find the right hotel for your needs, so nothing stands in the way of you having a great time.
When to Visit Kalamazoo, Michigan
The best time to visit Kalamazoo is in April or May when temperatures hover between 40 and 70 degrees. Although you might need a jacket (and an umbrella for occasional rain showers), the weather will be perfect for experiencing Kalamazoo's many attractions. You can hop on a bike and ride along a scenic trail, pick up a golf club and hit a few balls, or catch a spring show at the symphony orchestra. You'll also be ahead of summertime tourists so will benefit from less crowding and lower hotel rates.
If you can't make it to Kalamazoo in the spring, visiting between September and October is just as great. Not only will you experience pleasant weather, but you'll also be in town for many of the city's best festivals, markets, and concerts. Also, because it'll be the back-to-school season, you'll have fewer crowds to contend with and lower hotel rates to take advantage of.
In the summer, expect large crowds, high hotel rates, and fewer hotel room vacancies than in the spring or fall. Because it's high season, you'll want to plan your trip well in advance. But though it'll cost you more, visiting Kalamazoo in the summer will be well worth it. The weather will be gorgeous, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s. And thanks to summer events like the Do-Dah Parade and Island Fest, you'll have no shortage of fun things to do.
If you're looking for very low hotel rates and few fellow tourists, visiting Kalamazoo between November and March might just work for you. You will need a heavy coat to brave the freezing temperatures and snowstorms, but there will still be plenty to do around the city. You can view American art at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, visit a nearby ski resort to hit the slopes, or enjoy dinner, drinks, and a movie at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Kalamazoo, MI:
Kalamazoo by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts demonstrating mean price trends by star rating class in Kalamazoo, MI. You can use these line graphs to calculate the least expensive seasons to book a room in Kalamazoo for your upcoming travels.
Luxury Hotel Options in Kalamazoo, Michigan
4 Star Average Prices: $151.00
There are many great luxury hotel options in Kalamazoo. Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center is an unbeatable choice, located directly in the heart of downtown Kalamazoo. This perfect location allows you easy access to premium shopping, theaters, museums, and companies nearby. Well-known as one of the premier hotels in the city, you'll enjoy a luxe guest room or suite with upgraded linens and comforter, a 37-inch flat-screen TV, free internet access, iPod/MP3 hookup, and work desk with ergonomic chair.
But that's not all. Hotel amenities also include an indoor pool, hot tub, on-site athletic club, and on-site salon and spa. After a long day in the city, you can return to the hotel and enjoy a meal at one of four restaurants or recharge with a Starbucks drink at the hotel's coffee shop.
For a luxury option away from the excitement of downtown Kalamazoo, Holiday Inn Kalamazoo – W (W Michigan Univ) is ideal. Although it might not seem like a first choice for luxury, this chic, amenity-rich hotel absolutely is. It's located in the western section of the city, near Western Michigan University and Gilmore Car Museum, as well as the Golf Club at Harbor Shores. In one of its 182 cozy rooms, you'll enjoy retro-contemporary décor, free internet access, and a 32-inch flat-screen TV with premium channels, along with a triple-sheeted bed and white linens for restful sleep.
The hotel features a fitness center, restaurant, and the Holidome, which includes a hot tub, arcade, game tables, and the largest pool in Southwest Michigan.
Affordable Hotel Options in Kalamazoo, Michigan
3 Star Average Prices: $129.98
Looking for affordable hotels? You'll find plenty in Kalamazoo. Baymont Inn & Suites Kalamazoo East is a cozy budget hotel known for its hometown hospitality and affordability. Although slightly west of downtown, it's conveniently located near Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport and local attractions such as Wings Event Center and The Air Zoo. Within one of the hotel's comfortable rooms, you'll get free internet access, a refrigerator, microwave, and 32-inch flat-screen TV.
The hotel also has an heated outdoor pool for swimming, a fitness center for working out, and concierge services that arrange sightseeing tours around Kalamazoo. If you bring your four-legged friend on the trip, you're in luck! The hotel is also pet-friendly.
Red Roof Inn Kalamazoo West – Western Michigan U puts you within minutes of Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds, and many excellent restaurants for a price that won't break the bank. Not only that, but the hotel also boasts newly renovated rooms that feature relaxing Rest Suite beds by Serta, high-quality bedding, and large flat-screen TVs. Each room also comes complete with free internet access, video game consoles, and work desks.
