Weber's Boutique Hotel

At first glance it may seem difficult to reconcile the visual impression made by Weber’s Boutique Hotel with its claim to have been open — and family-owned — since 1969. But it’s clear that this is an establishment that hasn’t been content to rest on its laurels. The restaurant came first, a classic upscale steak house with live lobsters and a live piano player, and it’s still here in something approximating its original form — which feels like a time capsule in comparison to the hotel, which is as modern as they come, and stylish to a degree that’s positively shocking when you consider that this is Ann Arbor, Michigan, a city that, for all its charms, isn’t exactly at the cutting edge of boutique hospitality.

The exteriors are a contemporary surprise, while the rooms opt for a more classic 20th-century modernist style, combining clean lines, designer furniture, and a restrained color palette. It’s a look that’s appealing enough on its own terms, and also feels like a nod to the futuristic optimism of the local industry — for Ann Arbor, thanks to the prestigious University of Michigan, has emerged as something of a high-tech mecca. And Weber’s one-of-a-kind restaurant isn’t the only dining and drinking venue; the Habitat Bar features live music, and the self-explanatory Coffee Bar serves third-wave brew from local roaster Hyperion.