Best Hotels in Detroit & The Best Places to Stay Downtown Detroit

Best Detroit Hotels & The Best Places to Stay Downtown Detroit

Our customers come from the suburbs, from locations all over the country, and even from across the world (including our friends south of the border in Canada ;)).  Many of you are looking for information on Detroit Hotels & The Best Places to Stay Downtown Detroit.  We do realize that you can just google “Detroit Hotels” or “where to stay in Detroit” and get a list at one of the many hotel booking sites.  Also though, it can get overwhelming to know what some of these places are actually like.  That’s why we’re going to give you our quick flavor on our favorites.  We know Detroit pretty well and love to help you plan your entire stay so just let us know if you have additional questions!   Anyway, we’ve listed out some of our favorites from swanky and new to classic staples to some really unique Air BNBs.

Detroit Hotels & The Best Places to Stay Downtown Detroit #1:  Detroit Foundation Hotel

Looking at the absolutely STUNNING architecture and interior decorations you might be surprised to know that the staff at Detroit Foundation Hotel are actually our favorite part of the hotel.  We’ve gotten to know them because they’ve booked tours with us and we’ve done some fun promotional events with them for Tiger’s Opening Day, Charity events like Empty Bowls Detroit, Detroit Pride Parade, etc. over the years.  The community type environment they have is just awesome.  In the service industry, people are everything.  If you go there you’ll see for yourself, but the area on the first floor feels more like a bustling community center than a hotel lobby.  There is the Apparatus Room bar/restaurant, but the community picnic table style seating where you’ll find people using it like a coffee shop sitting next to the fire places is our favorite.  There is also a super legit podcast area that you can record at for free!  For such a swanky place we’re very surprised how welcoming they are…  even if you don’t stay here it’s worth checking out.

OK – so back to the actual hotel itself: Set in the city’s circa-1929 fire department headquarters (Yep, it’s an old fire house!), the sleek, fashionable Detroit Foundation Hotel downtown is across the street from the TCF center.  Amenities include a stocked bar with Detroit-related snacks and drinks, 24-hour fitness center, pet amenities, free bike rentals, and Netflix-equipped TVs. If you’re running late to your Handle Bar tour, the hotel also offers a car service, where a Lincoln Continental or Navigator will take you within a 3-mile radius from 8am-8pm. From the cool, uncluttered lobby, head down art-adorned hallways to your inviting room, we rest assure that you’ll be enjoying an authentic Detroit experience at the Detroit Foundation Hotel. (Price: $$$)

Detroit Hotels & The Best Places to Stay Downtown Detroit #2: Shinola Hotel

The brand most famous as “The Detroit Rolex” is not just a watch maker anymore.  Shinola hopped into the hotel game in 2019 and everything about this place screams luxury.  The gorgeous pictures of the hotel are in abundance online so we won’t waste your time re-posting them here.  Instead we’ll share a couple of their awesome Detroit Robes and some fun posing Mandy and Zinta snagged during their stays.  The robes are beautiful and because the only other way to wear one is to cough up $150 at the front desk, it’s even more fun to wear them around and look out at the amazing views of Detroit.  As far as the hotel goes, it’s located in the heart of downtown on famous Woodward Ave.  Their spacious rooms include amazing accommodations: select pet-friendly rooms (no need to board your pet!), Chromecast and Apple TV, among just about every other feature you could think to have at a hotel. Enjoy an authentic Italian dish on the awesome patio at San Morello, located at the bottom floor of the hotel.  Or you can enjoy a cocktail at the Evening Bar, located in the hotel lobby. 

A gym is also available for guests if you’re worried you won’t get an upper body workout on your HandleBar tour.  Amid the city’s nightlife (close to just about every one of our favorite patio bars in Detroit)  Any newcomer of Detroit would not be disappointed with a stay at Shinola.  It’s also in the thick of some of the best retail in Detroit.  The alley behind the hotel called “Parker’s Alley” (sounds sketchy, but totally not!) is a whole new world to explore.  You can grab a round of juice at Detroit’s own DROUGHT (The “Recovery” is clutch) or pick something up from the original location of The Lip Bar (created by Detroit’s own Melissa Butler).  There are lots of really cool retail (like lululemon, Madewell , Good Neighbor & H&M) across the street or grab your caffeine fix at Madcap coffee. Be sure to check out Shinola’s sister bar, The Brakeman as well (all beers are the same price with tokens you buy at the door)  (Price: $$$)

Detroit Hotels & The Best Places to Stay Downtown Detroit #3: The Antheneum

Detroit Hotels & The Best Places to Stay Downtown Detroit Antheneum

The Antheneum is a good mix of fancy AND budget.  It’s more reasonably priced and located right in the heart of Greektown.  If you’re not familiar with Greektown it’s probably the most consistently busy foot traffic area in Detroit and only a couple block walk from Comerica Park / Ford Field (and HandleBar Tours).  Greektown is loaded with bars and restaurants for 3 straight blocks so you will have TONS of options close by of things to do.  If you’re lazy you can potentially even catch a free shuttle to events from Old Shillelagh, which is right out the front doors of the hotel.  A fun list of all the cool stuff going on in Greektown is here to get you going! (Price: $$)

Best Hotels in Detroit & The Best Places to Stay Downtown Detroit #4: Siren Hotel

They have rooms with Bunkbeds starting at $179!  🙂  There are plenty of other options at this higher end boutique hotel and this probably isn’t the highlight most would pick to showcase, haha.  If you’re looking for something unique and classy The Siren should definitely be on your list.  There’s a super cool Candy Bar in the lobby (Instagram picture heaven) and a really fun bar on the 2nd floor called Karls.  Very few people know about the bar on the 2nd floor and the menu is super reasonable in comparison to anything you’ll find downtown.  It’s also really cool so make sure you check out the hyperlink to see the space and know what we’re talking about.

Another fun tidbit about The Siren Hotel is that we used to drive by it and tell our customers they had the coolest sign in the city.  Offering a free cup of coffee to purchase the building is and was hilarious.  While, clearly a joke at the time (or was it?) the building went from being overrun with plants, trees and rodents to being one of the nicest and safest places to stay in the city.  Although we miss driving by the sign, we’re very glad that the building was renovated.  Some pictures and history can be found here although there are some really cool shots urban explorers have gotten over the years before construction if you search online.  The Siren is definitely our favorite among the Detroit Hotels & The Best Places to Stay Downtown Detroit. (Price: $$-$$$)

#5: Hilton Garden Inn

Sometimes you just want a place to stay that is close to the action without all the luxury stuff.  We love The Hilton Garden Inn!  It’s less than 2 blocks from Comerica Park & Ford Field (and The HandleBar).  There really isn’t anywhere downtown you can’t walk to from here so it’s a prime location.  Because it’s a chain it’s also a good opportunity to burn some of your points and get a free stay OR use it as a way to build up your status for the next time.  (Price: $$)

#6: Airbnb’s

For some of us, hotels aren’t our favorite.  We would rather have the extra space, kitchen amenities, privacy, and larger fridge to hold our beer OR just have a no frills cheap place to crash. Well that’s where Airbnb thrives, giving you the opportunity to stay in someone’s home or apartment. Several amazing Detroit residents have offered up their residence to you.  You of course could do your own search and these will vary based on your dates, but here are some of our favorites.  Rooftops, pools, and great vibes!  (Prices: $ – $$$)

Penthouse with a View – Connected to Ren Cen!

Perfect for Sports and entertainment enthusiasts!

Professionally-cleaned condo in the heart of Detroit

Vibrant 1BD condo good for longer stays, self-checkin

Here is another awesome article from tripstodiscover.com, where they give their best Airbnb spots in Detroit!

#7: Casinos – Greektown, MGM, and Motor City

If you enjoy splitting 8’s, shooting craps, or getting hot on a slot machine, you can’t go wrong with staying at one of Detroit’s three major casinos. Greektown, MGM, and Motor City all offer anything you would want in a casino, from games, to amazing eateries, bars, free parking, and of course, hotel rooms. With the recent legalization of sports betting in Michigan, all three casino hotels now offer a sports book, where you can bet on your favorite spread, total, or parlay. On the cheaper end of hotel rooms in the city (which shouldn’t matter, because you’ll be getting rich betting on the Lions, Pistons, Red Wings, and Tigers), Detroit’s casinos are a perfect spot to make some extra money to tip our drivers ;).  (Price: $$)

#8: Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center

Do you like great views? Well the Detroit Marriott at the RenCen certainly has you covered. The tallest building in Detroit and the third tallest all-hotel skyscraper in the western hemisphere, the RenCen will give you majestic views of Detroit to the north, the Detroit River to the east and west, and you can even say hi to our friends in Windsor, Canada to the south. Now I don’t know about you, but I’m always craving a nice steak and beer.  If you’re staying at the RenCen, the Highlands Steakhouse (highest restaurant in Michigan) is available to you, at the top floor of the RenCen Marriott, If you’re not feeling that fancy, check out the Volt Bar at the bottom level of the hotel, as you enjoy a brew and some apps while looking over the Detroit River.  The Ren Cen is a staple among the best Detroit hotels & the best places to stay downtown Detroit (Price: $$$)

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