Detroit is a major city in the state Michigan, United States. The Motor City is best known for its automobile heritage, Motown musical legacy, and vibrant cultural scenes. In recent years, multiple stunning hotels have also emerged from different historic buildings. In this article, we have hand-selected the 8 best boutique hotels in Detroit with gorgeous designs and comfort.
- Shinola Hotel
- The Siren Hotel
- Daxton Hotel
- ROOST Detroit
- Detroit Foundation Hotel
- The Godfrey Detroit
- Sonder Gabriel Richard
- Element Detroit at the Metropolitan
Shinola Hotel
Shinola Hotel is one of the our favourite boutique hotels in Detroit. Opened by local watch company Shinola, it occupies a terracotta-clad building on the corner of Woodward Avenue, constructed in the early 20th Century. Designed by New York creative Gachot Studios, the communal spaces present a chic nostalgic charm with Mid-Century furniture and curated artwork.
The 129 guest rooms and suites feature a similar aesthetic, but in a much more refined fashion. They all come in a neutral and deep blue palette with earthy bespoke furnishing. You will also find detailed touches like velvet sofas, loft-style windows, handcrafted woodwork, and marble accents.
During your stay, you will have access to a state-of-the-art fitness center with machines and free weights. Shinola Hotel is pet friendly, so feel free to bring along your pooch. The culinary experience at the hotel is also exceptional, with five dining and drinking venues on-site. Our favourites include San Morello, an Italian restaurant inspired by the flavours of Southern Italy and Sicily.
The Siren Hotel
The Siren Hotel is one of the best-designed boutique hotels in Detroit. Located in Downtown Detroit, it is housed inside the grand Wurlitzer Building from 1926, lovingly restored by Ash NYC. Echoing its Italian Renaissance facade, the interior is designed with a rich vintage glamour. You will find curated antiques, bold velvet touches, and large chandelier lights coming together cohesively.
The design of the guest rooms and suites are a lot more subtle, but you will still find ample retro Italian influences across the furnishing. Some notable features include pink hand-loomed blankets, colourful terrazzo bathrooms (think red, green, and blue), vintage lighting, and brown marble tabletops.
Gastronomy is a major standout at the hotel, featuring 5 exquisite in-house dining and drinking venues. For instance, Albena is an intimate fine-dining restaurant with a refined and minimalistic menu. On the other hand, Ash Bar is a vintage European-style cafe with an American twist.
Daxton Hotel
Daxton Hotel is a gorgeous boutique hotel in Birmingham, roughly a half-hour drive away from Downtown Detroit. Opened in 2021, the luxury hotel is situated inside an elegant modern complex with a light grey facade. Sprinkled with marble and golden accents, the opulent lobby feels almost like a gallery, featuring a large artwork collection curated by Saatchi Art.
The modern elegance extends into the 151 exquisite rooms and suites. Their design revolves around a white & black palette, accented by refined furnishing, floral patterns, and jewel-tone touches. You will also find amenities such as a marble bathroom, blackout curtains, and a work desk.
Besides, the hotel features a fully-equipped 24-hour gym to keep your fitness routine intact. Dining is also not to be ignored. Located on the ground floor, Madam is an upscale restaurant that specializes in fresh vegetable-forward dishes and reimagined classic cocktails.
ROOST Detroit
ROOST Detroit is one of the newest boutique hotels in the city that opened in June 2023. The 4-star apartment-style hotel represents a 7-year restoration of the Book Tower, a historic landmark in Downtown Detroit. The grand Renaissance-style atrium have been lovingly preserved with its original details, while the other spaces is refurbished with a modern charm.
The hotel offers 117 light-filled accommodations, ranging from generous studios to spacious two-bedroom apartments. They all feature a homey urban aesthetic with cozy modern furnishing. You will also find large windows, a fully-equipped kitchen, vintage rugs, a SONOS Speaker, and a laundry. They are the perfect option to consider if you are looking for an extended stay.
Besides, the hotel features a comprehensive fitness center and a co-working space on-site. You can also grab a complimentary loan bike and explore around the city. There is currently a restaurant and a bar inside the hotel. Le Supreme is a Parisian-inspired brasserie with a sophisticated menu, while Kamper’s is a stylish rooftop bar with panoramic city skyline views.
Detroit Foundation Hotel
Detroit Foundation Hotel is a historic boutique hotel in Downtown Detroit. The 4-star hotel revived a neoclassical brick building, formerly the city’s fire department. With the help of studio KTGY, the interior is refurbished with a classy industrial aesthetic, featuring ample black metal and dark wooden accents. Some of the building’s original elements have also been preserved.
The 100 guest rooms and suites are come in an elegant white, dark brown, and pale blue palette. Their furnishing incorporated a lot of local-made objects. For instance, the iron-welded door handles are from Smith Shop and the leather trays are from Douglas & Co. You will also find all your basics including sumptuous bedding, a work desk, Grown Alchemist toiletries, and free wifi.
If you want to break a sweat, the hotel features a modern 24-hour fitness center with a range of machines, equipment, and free weights. There is only one restaurant on-site, but it is also one of the best in the city. Helmed by chef Rece Hogerheide, The Apparatus Room specializes in share-style New American cuisine using some of the best ingredients from Michigan.
The Godfrey Detroit
The Godfrey Detroit is a modern boutique hotel in Corktown, one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods on the western side. Opened in August 2023, the cool 4-star hotel is situated inside a newly constructed building with an industrial-style brick and metal facade.
The hotel boasts 226 oversized guest rooms and suites. They all feature a white, black, and wooden design, complemented by modern furnishing and industrial touches. You will also have elevated essentials such as Frette linens, a Samsung TV, a Bose speaker, and C.O. Bigelow toiletries.
It is worth noting that all rooms are pet-friendly!! You can also make use of the modern fitness center during your stay. There is currently one restaurant and one bar located on-site. Hamilton’s is a sophisticated American restaurant that celebrates seasonal local produce, while I/O is a rooftop lounge with a curated selection of cocktails and light bites.
Sonder Gabriel Richard
Sonder Gabriel Richard is one of the best apartment-style boutique hotels in Detroit. Just a stone’s throw away from Detroit River, it sits inside the neoclassical Gabriel Richard Building, formerly a furniture store. While some of its historical elements are still evident, most of the interior spaces have been refurbished completely with a cozy modern aesthetic.
The hotel offers a variety of spacious accommodations, ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments. They are somewhat reminiscent of a stylish upscale residence, outfitted with sleek contemporary furnishing. They are also equipped with with well-appointed amenities including a fully-stocked kitchen, in-unit laundry, and streaming services.
Inside the building, you will also find a fitness studio and a communal space for working or lounging. There are no restaurants on-site, but you can easily cook in-room or head to one of the quality dining venues nearby. For instance, Parc in downtown specializes in contemporary Detroit and Midwest cuisine with influences of French and Mediterranean flavours.
Element Detroit at the Metropolitan
Element Detroit at the Metropolitan is another boutique hotel transformed from a spectacular historic building. Located in the heart of the city, it occupies a Gothic Revival building known as the Metropolitan. During its restoration, the hotel brought back a lot of the building’s original features, including its marble floors, distinctive ceiling beams, and decorative plaster.
The eco-focused hotel offers 110 oversized guest rooms, studios, and suites. They all feature a soothing white and wooden design, complemented by modern furnishing refreshing pops of green. You will also find a range of elevated essentials including deluxe Heavenly bedding, a marble bathroom, an ergonomic workspace, and a full kitchen or kitchenette.
Besides, the hotel features a comprehensive 24-hour fitness center, an on-site laundry, and free bike rentals. You will also receive complimentary self-serve breakfasts during your stay!! For more dining options, we recommend checking out Takoi, a modern Thai restaurant with a Michigan twist.
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