In 1802, Detroit was an incorporated village and not until 1815 did it change its status from village to city. It held the position as state capital from 1837 to 1847.
The cities emergence as the major site for car manufacturing came about due to its convenient location to railroad transportation that made it easier to ship and receive materials and finished products.
Detroit has also been associated with the "Motown Sound" that erupted in the city during the 1960s with the smooth sounds of soul music. The company remained in Detroit until 1972. History lives on as the company is now part of the Capitol Music Group located in the historic Capital Records Tower in Los Angeles.
When to Visit Detroit, MI
Detroit can easily be a year-round destination for those who enjoy summer heat, the cooler temperatures of spring and fall, or snow activities during the winter. The high season runs from May to September with the summer months being the busiest. Temperatures during this time can reach the low 80s making this an ideal time for outdoor activities. October to February is the low season with fewer crowds and temperatures in the 40s to 60s. For snow enthusiasts, winters are cold with temperatures in the 20s and 30s.
During special events, holidays, festivals, and sporting events scheduled throughout the year, expect crowds and higher rates. Summer is the busiest season because of the warm weather and school break. Fall and winter do not attract heavy crowds. Spring usually brings fewer visitors but the weather is relatively mild, which makes it a good time to visit.
Overall, Detroit receives an average of 183 days of sunshine and 126 days of precipitation each year. Rain averages 30 inches per year and snowfall can average 33 inches, which is above the average of 25 inches received annually in U.S. cities. The comfort index for humidity is higher than the U.S. average.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Detroit, MI:
Detroit by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts demonstrating mean nightly cost trends by star rating class in Detroit, MI. You can use these illustrations to determine the most cost effective dates to stay in Detroit for upcoming travels.
Luxury Hotel Options in Detroit, MI
4 Star Average Prices: $149.44
The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit is a piece of history. After being fully restored, the historic 1924 hotel exudes its original ambiance and elegance. Located in downtown Detroit, the Renaissance designed hotel provides business and leisure guests the lap of luxury in an exceptionally decorated room or suite. The pet friendly hotel features valet parking, complimentary Wi-Fi for SPG members, indoor pool, fitness studio, and whirlpool. Connect with friends at the Westin Executive Club Lounge, and enjoy a delightful meal at one of the five hotel eateries. The hotel provides a 24-hour business center and 30,000 square feet of event space. Groups enjoy a 47.3 percent savings at the 10.0/10 rated hotel.
Enjoy the pure luxury given to guests at Aloft Detroit at The David Whitney. Located on Park Avenue, the downtown hotel resides within the David Whitney Building. The People Mover is just steps away providing easy access to all that Detroit has to offer business and leisure guests. The pet-friendly hotel offers a choice of beautifully decorated guest rooms and suites that turn travel time into relaxation time. Sleep on a platform bed, luxuriate under a rainforest shower, enjoy the 43” LED TV with cable, sip a freshly brewed cup of coffee, or fix a snack in the microwave. A refrigerator, in-room safe, and magazines add to your pleasure. The 100 percent smoke free hotel is pet friendly.
Affordable Hotel Options in Detroit, MI
3 Star Average Prices: $117.40
Courtyard Detroit Downtown puts you in the heart of the city where attractions, sporting venues, parks, and the riverfront are just steps away. If your plans include spending the day sightseeing or taking in the nightlife, the People Mover is located on-site. Guest rooms have been renovated and offer a large living space, extra plush bedding, and flat-screen TV. Complimentary Wi-Fi connects you to friends and family and the hotel's restaurant connects your palate with delicious menus for breakfast and dinner. Relaxation time is always a plus and at the Courtyard Detroit Downtown, you have a choice of an invigorating swim at the indoor pool or a complete workout at the fitness center.
Detroit Regency Hotel has convenience and comfort at your fingertips. Many attractions and businesses are just minutes away including the Renaissance Center, Joe Louis Arena, and the Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center. Less than two miles away, please your palate at the many restaurants in Greektown or go shopping or try your luck at the casino. Guests have access to free shuttle service to locations within 3 miles of the hotel. Rooms offer a relaxing respite with microwaves, refrigerators, and whirlpool bathtubs available in select rooms. Enjoy free wireless internet and a satisfying deluxe continental breakfast each morning. For a refreshing libation, visit the bar in the lobby.
2 Star Average Prices: $84.02
Best Discounts in Detroit, MI
MGM Grand Detroit is just that — grand on all levels of guest satisfaction. Everything you need for an all-in-one vacation is at MGM. Luxury rooms and executive suites. Restaurants are at the ready to please the most discerning palate at multiple restaurants and the IMMERSE Spa provides an oasis of sensory experiences. Entertainment is non-stop in the bars and lounges with live music and dancing. Test your luck level at the casino with table games, poker room, video poker machines, and close to 4000 slot machines. For snacks and necessities, the Sundry Store has what you need. Groups staying at the MGM Grand rate the hotel's group score at 9.2/10 with a 50 percent average group savings.
Renovated in 2015, the Doubletree by Hilton Detroit — Dearborn is ideally located and within minutes of Detroit and Dearborn. Guest satisfaction is the focus, beginning with a tasty cookie upon arrival. Your guest room is comfortable with signature bedding for a good night's sleep and complimentary Wi-Fi. Suites provide a separate living area and include a wet bar, two TVs, refrigerator, and jetted tubs in some suites. The hotel provides a full service restaurant, lounge, fitness center, and indoor pool. Complimentary shuttle service is available. The hotel features a business center, 16 meeting rooms, and audio-visual equipment. The hotel has 16 meeting rooms and had a rating of 7.5/10 for groups and meetings.
Best Value Options in Detroit, MI
The Atheneum Suite Hotel is newly renovated to bring the best in comfort, class, and convenience to its guests. Guest rooms, studios, and suites are detailed with modern furnishings with a Greek theme amid soft cream walls and deep rich fabrics and accessories. King or queen beds, marble baths, plush sofas, whirlpools, and separate living and dining areas are just a few of your choices in room accommodations. Located in Greektown, you're just minutes from assorted restaurants, entertainment, the theater district, sports venues, and the Greektown casino. The Detroit People Mover is adjacent to the hotel providing easy access to area locations. The hotel also provides shuttle service within 5 miles of the hotel.
Make a day, or night, of it at Greektown Casino Hotel where good times blend with comfort guest satisfaction 24 hours a day. Select from a spacious deluxe guest room or a luxury, executive, or corner suite featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Detroit skyline. Recline on a pillowtop mattress, watch programs on the 42-inch plasma TV, and stay connected around the clock with complimentary Wi-Fi. Refined dining is on the menu at one of the hotel's savory restaurants, as well as specialty cocktails at the bar, or freshly brewed coffee in the lobby. Enjoy round the clock gaming action in the casino with table games, live games, and slots.
Things to Do in Detroit, MI
Detroit attractions can keep you busy from morning until night from theater performances to pulling the lever on a slot machine.
Cultural enthusiasts will enjoy the Cobo Exhibit Hall for concerts and events, the Detroit Institute of the Arts and performances at the Detroit Opera House, Fillmore Theatre, and Fox Theatre.
Sports and events are a big part of Detroit and the city has the venues to prove it. Catch the action at the Joe Louis Arena, Ford Field, Tiger Stadium, Comerica Park, and the Michigan State Fairgrounds.
Take a walk through music history at the Motown Museum and for a look at Detroit's history, a visit to the Detroit Historical Museum provides information and interactive exhibits. The Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History has over 35,000 artifacts.
Everyone will be entertained at the Michigan Science Center, the Detroit Zoo. and the Gilmore Car Museum featuring a vintage car collection.
With more than a few things to keep you busy, Detroit is a destination that promises good times, good food, and good entertainment. With an abundance of quality hotels to choose from, a visit to Detroit means a relaxing vacation or business trip with accommodations that take care of all your needs.
Francis Ford Coppola The famed director of the brilliant and macabre ˜Bram Stoker's Dracula' once said: 'Art depends on luck and talent.
And the artist works and creatives that make up the population of the Motor city otherwise known as Detroit have talent and luck in spades. The town has garnered a lot of attention lately as a place that has become popular with hipsters and the open-minded and even the hotels in Detroit have started to take on shade so f this creativity. Detroit is one of the best examples of an urban zone and as such it is crisscrossed with examples of art and public transit that will draw in any traveler.
Cheap Enough for Detroit
As a large and established city, there is no shortage age of cheap hotel within the city center of Detroit to choose from. If you are looking to save a bit of coin then try the Shorecrest Motor Inn. Like much of the city, this hotel is themed around cars and also family owned and still respectably priced. This hotel is located in the Rivertown and only a few blocks from the Detroit River boardwalk. Each room offers up free Wi-Fi, coffee machines, cable TV, and mini-fridges. Another option for folks searching for cheap hotels is the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Windsor (Ambassador Bridge). Don't let the expensive looking name fool you this hotel is modestly priced and offers up some fair amenities. The hotel offers flat-screen TVs, desks, mini-fridges, premium cable channels and desks.
Motor City Luxury
Those looking for more expensive hotels in Detroit will have a lot of options on hand. One of the most popular luxury hotels is the MGM Grand Detroit. This is basically like a staying in Vegas with a massive Casino hotel being where you choose to lay your head and providing you all the amenities that come with it. Those amenities include 42-inch flat screen TVs, a TV in the bathroom 2-person showers, whirlpool tubs and much more. Another option for those looking for Detroit hotels is the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. This is another Casino themed hotel that offers some familiar amenities like flat-screen TVs, modern rooms, Wi-Fi and more.
The Art of Detroit
Though it might seem like any other city in the US, there are some truly exceptional examples of art that is specific to Detroit all over the city and many of them are not too far from most mainstream Detroit hotels. One place people should visit is the Detroit Institute of Arts. This is not a museum it is an evergreen art exhibition showcasing the work of local remarkable artists filled with painting sculpture and installations. The collections are always being updated and have impressed a lot of critics. Another destination is Comerica Park. This is more of a cultural and excursion about the art of sport than anything else. There are few better ways to understand Detroit than a visit to the baseball park.
FAQs about hotels in Detroit
How much does a cheap hotel in Detroit cost per night?
In the last year, a 2 star hotel in Detroit can be as cheap as $84.02 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a 3 star hotel in Detroit cost per night?
In the last year, the average 3 star hotel in Detroit has been $117.40 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a higher-end hotel in Detroit cost?
In the last year, the average 4 star hotel in Detroit has been $149.44 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)