Detroit Foundation Hotel — Hotel in Detroit

Quick list of why you may not want to stay here if you are looking for a 4 or 5 star hotel experience.

Keep in mind that this review I only give because this hotel rents it's room at 4 star Chicago room rates so I am comparing them to what I expect from the Langham in Chicago.

This Hotel Experience. First you arrive and get to park in a scary open lot next to the hotel, filled with more pot holes then a Detroit back alley. Since it is Michigan you are probably being rained on as your wife gets out of the car. The lots app is broken and doesn't recognize the location number on the sign for the lot. So you ask your wife to wait in the car and run past two people who will ask you for change up to a dimly lit outside parking terminal and you will pay for all day parking, which you find out expires at 2am so you have to remember to come back out at midnight to the same scary parking lot to pay another $35.

You get your luggage out of your car and make sure you carry it do NOT ROLL it unless you want your luggage soaking wet and covered in mud ,because the parking lot is an absolute disaster of potholes and gravel.

You walk into the hotel and try to figure out what to do because you seem to have walked up to the hostess stand for the restaurant. No one greets you or says anything so you walk over to the lobby, but see no one there, eventually you ask another guest coming from an elevator where to check in and they will let you know you check in at the hostess stand.

You walk up to the hostess stand and she will have you wait a minute as she goes over a table list with the restaurant manager. You realize you are supposed to feel lucky that the Foundation hotel is going to LET YOU stay there.

So you have booked the best room in the hotel and you don't expect a pat on the back but even if you get a junior suite at other hotels they will say something like we have you booked in our "blah blah blah" suite, it is an excellent room, thank you for staying with us and so on.

I received my room key and was told my room number, I wasn't even directed to the elevators lol.

Rent a $800 a night Suite and no mini bar, kind of an issue when everything closes at 9PM and you wanted a night cap when you got home from dinner and are used to basically every high end hotel at these prices will have a bottle of champagne and other options in a mini bar.

2.They don't want to run valet but claim it is because of Covid even though several places in Detroit are running their Valet. Then they tell you to "conveniently" park in the open lot next to the hotel. Guess what all day parking there expires at 2 am so be prepared to walk back out to your car at midnight to renew your parking, because the parking companies terrible app doesn't recognize the location number on their own sign. So parking for one night will cost you $70 If you are staying Friday to Sunday you will have to pay for parking 3 separate times to avoid getting your car towed.

Their hostess for the restaurant is also the check in desk for the hotel? In what world is a 4 star hotel using it's hostess as also the hotel checkin clerk. So then you are standing there waiting to check in behind people waiting for their dinner reservation. Just a hotel saving cash and not paying employees.

The $800 suite is big but low quality. The rooms are designed by hipsters that imagine what would be SOOO cool if they could afford it in their "flat" So things look cool but that super cool looking copper colored piping and shower heads are also dreadful. Piercing laser beams of water that...

Restoration at it's finest, with attention paid to every detail! I had the pleasure of staying at the Detroit Foundation Hotel last Friday and it was truly an experience. For those visiting from out of town, I'd first like to note this is a great location, walking distance to most attractions and dining/nightlife, and a short cab ride to everything else.

Upon request on arrival, I was given a thoughtful full tour by Amber, the hotel's Director of Lifestyle and Programming. She was a lovely, friendly, and professional guide who pointed out all the fine details that went into the design and construction. The building is filled with incredible artwork, furniture, and lighting. Local artisans such as The Detroit Wallpaper Company customized every inch of the property with a nod to Detroit culture, and the historical origin of the building that formerly housed the Detroit Fire Department Headquarters. Being a Detroit native I was perhaps a little skeptical that this highly anticipated property may be another generic new hotel that could pop up in any city. I was delighted to find out that my skepticism was misplaced. This hotel is Detroit, through and through!

There are so many features that I'd like to point out, but many have already been covered by the press so I'll leave it to the pros. Besides the breathtaking Apparatus Room and it's adjoining lounge area, the two things that impressed me most were the Foundation Studio, a private space available for musicians, writers, media, etc that was beautifully appointed and so original! Also the opulent yet intimate banquet space off the Apparatus Room. I was unable to photograph that space because it wasn't quite prepared for photography when I visited, but trust me, it is gorgeous! Adorned head to toe in a rich, luxurious blue hue, and accented by unique brass modern lighting, it is the perfect dining or meeting space for a smaller occasion.

Moving on to the guest accommodations, I stayed in a Junior Suite which was roomy and well appointed. A modern yet warm foyer greeted me with a bar and dresser area filled with amazing Detroit snacks and drinks options. Rounding the corner there was a stylish comfy seating area. The only thing lacking in this area was lighting, which I imagine is probably on it's way because I can't imagine they forgot this detail. Plush soft rugs cover the polished concrete floors leading to the cozy sleeping area. The bed was very comfortable and the area contained nice side tables, soft lighting, a huge TV, and modern desk area.

The bathroom was maybe a little smaller than you'd expect in a suite, but the fixtures and finishes were cool. It was very clean, and contained nice products, and a stunning black glass shower. Overall the room was great!

I would highly recommend a stay at Detroit Foundation! They just opened, so I expect it will only continue to improve. The one tiny thing I would probably address is the lighting in the guest floor halls is well designed, but perhaps too bright, especially when returning in the evening. If that tiny detail is the only thing I have to point out, I think it's safe to say that this is a fantastic property and I'd like to thank them for honoring our beloved Detroit in such a...

I was really disappointed in my stay here. If it weren't for this hotels central location, I would never recommend it. Upon arrival to the hotel, I had staged my car outside to valet it for the night. After approx. 10 minutes, no valet person or front desk associate came to greet me. It wasn't until I got out of my car, and walked to the front desk that they were able to get the valet staff to assist. Next, the restaurant was covered in fruit flies...I had to put a napkin over my meal to avoid them from landing on it. My room had an awful smell and I was continuously woken up throughout the night. I called the front desk in the morning to report the issue, who asked if I wanted to relocate but I declined given I had one more day left and wasn't going to be spending much time in my room. Relocating is such a hassle after I am already completely unpacked. Come to find out only when I checked out that it was because my room was located next to the gym. Additionally, I called the hotel ahead of my stay to coordinate a room-drop for one of my colleagues. The first gentleman noted my information and stated he would follow up. Days went by without a follow up so I contacted the hotel again to find out that nothing was noted and had to start the process from scratch. I informed the associate that I wanted to have a slice of cake and pint of tequila with soda water and lime delivered. My budget was $100, and I requested a nicer tequila hoping most of the spend would be on that. I noted that I am not a tequila drinker but my colleague loves 1942 so something like that or similar would be good. Come to find out the following day, only a slice of cake was sent. At check out, I asked what happened and they said 1942 was out of my budget. In the moment, I said okay and proceeded with my check out, because I did not want to argue with this associate who had no idea/wasn't tied to the problem at all...and frankly, at this point, I just wanted to leave the building and never come back. To add the cherry to the top of it all, my colleague was emailed by the hotel that his room was never paid for and when he complained about his experience with the hotel (outside of what I am listing here, as well as the miss on the tequila delivery), the associate responded to the email letting them know my budget of $100 couldn't afford their room-drop experience...which was incredibly embarrassing given the above context. I was appalled at that response. With so many new hotels coming to the city, I would improve upon your guest...