Last year we stayed in Milford at Hyatt Place, at the recommendation of several people here. I figured I had plenty of time, since I wasn’t trying to stay right on/near campus. I was surprised to see the price was close to 2x what I paid last year! So, I’m looking for recommendations of other hotels in Milford, or other similarly convenient towns nearby. We have a car, so a short drive is fine. I can’t find the earlier discussions on this, so hopefully some of you can help me out. Thanks!
We usually stayed at the Hampton in Milford, but they also double the rate on “special” weekends, I think. (We always went a different weekend than parents’ weekend to visit our kid) I know they doubled the price for graduation weekend. There’s also a Fairfield Inn in Milford that I’ve stayed at. Both are perfectly acceptable, basic hotel chains, at least for my “standards.”
From my experience avoid at all costs the La Quinta in NH. One visit, never again. (Filthy)
Fairfield Inn is now a Motel 6 and no longer offers breakfast. We stayed last fall, and it was okay. All we needed was a basic room for sleeping. We spent our days on campus. This year we are trying the Hampton in Milford. It was not a doubled rate when I booked, but that was the end of June.
(Just checked and the Hampton is sold out that weekend.)
A lot of this discussion took place in the Yale Parents thread, which you could search, but it will be scattered.
Here is a comprehensive list of hotels in the area.
My recommendation: https://www.airbnb.com is often cheaper and nicer than a hotel.
Springhill Suites in Milford is very acceptable as far as this type of hotel goes. The rooms are all recently renovated and the breakfast was decent. The lobby was under renovation last month so patrons were directed to park near the entrance closest to their room.
There are a few in North Haven still I believe. Its the other side of New Haven so its not dealing with the traffic going into New Haven on 95 north. You can also look up Branford, East Haven and Hamden. They are outside towns that are not as sought after.
Thanks for the suggestions! Anyone ever stay in Shelton? Since its not along 95 im wondering if it’s schleppy to get there.
Its not schleppy at all. You can take the Merit Parkway to get there instead of 95. To be honest, I would prefer the parkway over 95 any day. You get there by going by the Yale Bowl and it will feed out to the other side of the tunnel. Its really only about 15 minutes away. Shelton in itself is nice.
Something to note- Sikorski aircraft is in Shelton. There are probably places around there which is literally right off the parkway. That would be a very convenient place to stay. They have lots of people who fly in to the area for the weekend. It might be a perfect location to check out.
There is a Courtyard Marriott right on campus (located on Whatley Ave a few blocks away from the Payne Whitney gym). I’ve stayed there a few times, and its very convenient, and within walking distance to everything. Parking near the campus can get difficult. The Courtyard has its own parking
Only downside of the NH Courtyard is that it is rather expensive. For parking we tended to use the York St. garage. I think it was only $10 (maybe $20 but I don’t think so) for the day.
Thanks again! We have stayed at the courtyard Marriott several times - great location! For parents weekend we are willing to drive a bit to save on the inflated prices.
We’ve stayed in Shelton, and it was no problem. I believe it is still outside the high-price zone for Yale events.
The York Street garage is my parking secret. We’ve used it successfully for most Yale events, including move-in, family weekend, and the Harvard-Yale football game. It only failed me once–Commencement last year. I ended up parking at the Air Rights Garage further down York Street, which is really not that far from campus.
La Quinta has inexpensive rooms, and is on the bus line. They also have a shuttle to the train station and the campus. It’s not 4-star, but it’s a clean bed with free breakfast.
My experience at the La Quinta (about 3 years ago) was explicitly not clean.
Best Western West Haven is really good too. Clean rooms, breakfast included. 10mins from Yale. Stayed there often.
@donnaleighg … I read your post, and took a chance anyway. I imagine that my lowered expectations were easier to satisfy!