Where to Stay in Downtown Detroit
Downtown Detroit is compact enough to cover on foot, and the hotels on this page sit along the corridors that matter: Woodward Avenue, Campus Martius, Grand Circus Park and the Detroit RiverWalk. The free-to-ride QLine streetcar runs up Woodward toward Midtown, while the elevated People Mover loops past Huntington Place, Greektown and the Renaissance Center. I sorted the list toward places with strong guest scores, from the restored Hotel David Whitney and Shinola Hotel to dependable chains like Cambria Hotel Detroit Downtown and Hilton Garden Inn Detroit Downtown. One honest note: Trumbull and Porter sits in Corktown and The Inn on Ferry Street in Midtown, both a short ride from the core rather than in it.
Downtown Detroit mixes restored Beaux-Arts and Art Deco towers with new public squares. Campus Martius fills with skaters in winter and outdoor tables in summer, the riverfront has become a continuous walking path, and the stadiums, theaters and casinos all sit within a few blocks of one another.
Downtown Detroit Hotels Worth Booking Now
Choosing downtown means Comerica Park, Ford Field, the Fox Theatre and Little Caesars Arena are within walking distance, and the riverfront path toward Belle Isle starts at the Renaissance Center. Evenings stay simple too, with Greektown, Capitol Park and Corktown restaurants a short walk or streetcar hop away.
Historic buildings are the main draw here. Hotel David Whitney occupies the 1915 David Whitney Building on Grand Circus Park and carries the highest guest score on this page at 9.4. The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit fills the restored Book-Cadillac tower on Washington Boulevard and adds an indoor pool and hot tub, rare downtown. Detroit Foundation Hotel converted the former fire department headquarters across from Huntington Place, and DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Detroit Downtown - Fort Shelby keeps its early twentieth century facade on Lafayette. I would pick one of these if character matters more than a chain loyalty program.
Shinola Hotel on Woodward Avenue, rated 9.2, is my choice for anyone who wants restaurants and shops on the doorstep, since it sits steps from Campus Martius and the QLine. ROOST Detroit, also at 9.2, offers apartment-style rooms with balconies and kitchen space, useful for longer stays or travelers who prefer cooking a few meals. Kasa Cadillac Square Detroit works in a similar way, with fully equipped kitchens and a location beside Cadillac Square. Both suit groups who want more space than a standard hotel room, while keeping the Fox Theatre and Comerica Park within a comfortable walk.
For river views, the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center stands directly on the RiverWalk, with Windsor and the Canadian shoreline across the water. Courtyard by Marriott Detroit Downtown, rated 8.6, also mentions river views and a large fitness area, and sits near Hart Plaza where summer festivals take place. From either hotel you can walk east along the riverfront path toward the Dequindre Cut, or catch the People Mover a few steps away. I would book one of these two for conventions at Huntington Place, since the walk is short and stays at street level.
Value-minded travelers have solid choices with high scores. Cambria Hotel Detroit Downtown holds a 9.0 rating across more than 800 reviews and lists city views and a family-friendly restaurant. Hotel Indigo Detroit Downtown by IHG is a short walk from MGM Grand Detroit and the Fox Theatre and accepts pets. Hilton Garden Inn Detroit Downtown sits near the Music Hall Center and the Fillmore Detroit. Just outside the core, Trumbull and Porter in Corktown puts you near Michigan Central Station and the bars on Michigan Avenue, while The Inn on Ferry Street places you in Midtown close to the Detroit Institute of Arts.
A traveler's perspectiveIf I had one night for a Tigers or Lions game, I would book Hotel David Whitney: Grand Circus Park is right outside, Comerica Park and Ford Field are a short walk east, and the QLine stops on Woodward close to the entrance. For a convention at Huntington Place, I would choose the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center instead, because the People Mover and the RiverWalk start at its door.
Hotel David Whitney, Autograph Collection
Detroit
177 reviews
Historic downtown Detroit hotel with a bar, fitness center, and spa
Check availabilityWhy guests love itHotel David Whitney occupies a landmark building in downtown Detroit, and families can walk to the Fox Theatre and The Fillmore for a show. Rooms have pillowtop mattresses, a refrigerator for snacks and a coffee maker for early starts. Presley's Kitchen+Bar on site offers a quick bite when children are hungry, and the 24-hour front desk and concierge help with plans. Pets are accepted, so the family dog can come too.
ROOST Detroit
Detroit
194 reviews
Pet-friendly apartments with private balconies in downtown Detroit
Check availabilityWhy guests love itROOST Detroit gives families a downtown base with private balconies, a welcome bit of outdoor space in the city centre. The restaurant is family-friendly and serves a range of international cuisines, so mixed tastes at the table are easy to please. Rooms come with free WiFi and modern amenities, the location suits exploring downtown attractions and historic sites, and pets are accepted, which helps families who travel with a dog.
Shinola Hotel
Detroit
285 reviews
Downtown Detroit comfort with a fitness center and diverse dining
Check availabilityWhy guests love itShinola Hotel rooms include a seating area, a dining table and kitchenware, so a family can share a simple meal or breakfast in the room. A tea and coffee maker helps with early mornings. The restaurant and bar serve American, Italian and local dishes, which keeps dinner easy with children. The 24-hour front desk and concierge help plan days downtown, and paid private parking is on site for families arriving by car.
Cambria Hotel Detroit Downtown
Detroit
863 reviews
Family-friendly downtown hotel with diverse dining and city views
Check availabilityWhy guests love itCambria Hotel Detroit Downtown suits families who want variety at meals: the restaurant ranges from Greek to Mexican dishes, and breakfast offers continental, American or specialized choices. Rooms have city views, a refrigerator and a tea and coffee maker for snacks and early starts. The sun terrace and the outdoor fireplace give everyone a place to gather in the evening. Major downtown sights are less than 1 km away, so short legs can walk.
Detroit Foundation Hotel
Detroit
196 reviews
Historic downtown hotel with modern amenities and pet-friendly comfort
Check availabilityWhy guests love itDetroit Foundation Hotel is a pet-friendly hotel in central downtown Detroit, set in a historic building. Rooms are air-conditioned with a private bathroom, city views, free WiFi and streaming services. An American restaurant, a bar, a fitness center and a lounge are on site, and major attractions are within walking distance, which suits a visitor who would rather leave the car parked. Guests rate it 8.9 from 196 reviews.
The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit
Detroit
89 reviews
Historic downtown Detroit hotel with indoor pool and spa services
Check availabilityWhy guests love itThe Westin Book Cadillac Detroit occupies a restored historic building downtown, a short walk from Ford Field, so a family game day needs no car. The indoor pool and hot tub give children a swim after a day out, and with several American restaurants, a bar and a coffee shop inside the hotel, meals are easy to sort. Pets are welcome, and parents can book a treatment at the salon or in-room spa services.
Courtyard by Marriott Detroit Downtown
Detroit
218 reviews
Spacious rooms with river views, indoor pool, and hot tub downtown
Check availabilityWhy guests love itCourtyard by Marriott Detroit Downtown has spacious air-conditioned rooms with flat-screen TVs and views of the Detroit River. A large indoor pool, a hot tub and a gym give families something to do whatever the weather, and a business center helps when work comes along. The Detroit Riverwalk and Little Caesars Arena are close, which suits an event night. Guests rate it 8.6 from 218 reviews.
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Detroit Downtown - Fort Shelby
Detroit
217 reviews
Downtown Detroit suites with dining, fitness, and family-friendly comfort
Check availabilityWhy guests love itDoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Detroit Downtown - Fort Shelby offers spacious suites in the middle of downtown, which gives families room to spread out. On-site dining and a modern fitness center keep a stay simple, and WiFi is free in every room. The MGM Grand Detroit Casino is a short walk away and public transport is close. Guests rate it 8.4 from 217 reviews.
Hilton Garden Inn Detroit Downtown
Detroit
324 reviews
Downtown Detroit hotel with family-friendly amenities and a fitness center
Check availabilityWhy guests love itA microwave and refrigerator in every room help families at this downtown Hilton Garden Inn, where snacks and simple meals stay within reach. An American breakfast is served each morning, and the hotel sits close to the Music Hall Center and the Fillmore Detroit for an evening show. Pets are accepted and rooms have flat-screen TVs. There is no pool listed, so I would plan outings in the city. Guests rate it 8.1 out of 10 from 324 reviews.
The Inn on Ferry Street
Detroit
337 reviews
Historic elegance meets modern comfort in downtown Detroit
Check availabilityWhy guests love itThe Inn on Ferry Street suits families who prefer a historic inn to a large chain hotel. Complimentary coffee and pastries each morning make for an easy start before a day out, and the pet-friendly policy lets the family dog come along. Its central Detroit location keeps the city within reach. The amenities are those of an inn rather than a resort, so I would choose it for families with older children who enjoy period character.
Hotel Indigo Detroit Downtown by IHG
Detroit
471 reviews
Modern downtown hotel with a gym, close to casinos and theaters
Check availabilityWhy guests love itHotel Indigo Detroit Downtown is a short walk from the Fox Theatre, which makes a family show night simple, with no car to park afterwards. Rooms have a fridge for snacks and drinks, tea and coffee making facilities, cable TV and free WiFi, practical for a quiet evening in. The hotel welcomes families and pets, and a gym and business center help parents who combine the trip with work.
Kasa Cadillac Square Detroit
Detroit
308 reviews
Apartment-style living in downtown Detroit with fully equipped kitchens
Check availabilityWhy guests love itKasa Cadillac Square works like an apartment in downtown Detroit: each unit has a fully equipped kitchen, a washing machine and city views, which suits families on longer stays or with picky eaters. Check-in is private, so arrivals are flexible. GM World and Saint Andrew's Hall are within easy walking distance, and the downtown convention center is close. Pets are accepted, so the dog can come along.
Trumbull and Porter - Detroit Downtown
Detroit
1,166 reviews
Boutique hotel with artistic flair in historic Corktown
Check availabilityWhy guests love itTrumbull and Porter is a renovated boutique hotel in Corktown, Detroit's oldest neighborhood, and I think it suits parents who want character over kids' facilities. The bar and coffee shop make an easy breakfast stop, and rooms have a refrigerator for drinks and snacks. The courtyard music venue and beer garden give it a lively, adult feel, so light sleepers with young children should ask for a quieter room. A 7.7 score across 1,166 reviews is fair.
Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Detroit
358 reviews
Riverfront views, a modern gym, and direct access to the People Mover
Check availabilityWhy guests love itThe hotel sits directly on the RiverWalk, so a stroll along the Detroit River with children starts at the door, and the views across the water reach Canada, a fun detail to point out to kids. The hotel is on the People Mover line, an easy elevated loop around downtown. Rooms have a tea and coffee maker, and there is a restaurant and a modern gym on site. A 7.5 score from 358 reviews is average.
Local tips
- 1Ride the QLine along Woodward Avenue between downtown and Midtown, with stops near Campus Martius, Grand Circus Park and the Detroit Institute of Arts.
- 2Use the People Mover loop to reach Huntington Place, Greektown and the Renaissance Center without moving your car from the hotel garage.
- 3Ask about parking when booking, since several downtown hotels, including Shinola Hotel, charge for private or valet parking.
- 4Walk the Detroit RiverWalk from the Renaissance Center east toward the Dequindre Cut for views of Windsor across the river.
- 5Check the Comerica Park, Ford Field and Little Caesars Arena schedules before you book, as game nights fill nearby hotels quickly.
- 6Plan an evening in Corktown or Greektown, both within a short ride of the hotels near Campus Martius and Grand Circus Park.