There is something quite remarkable happening in Detroit these days and the Aloft Hotel is a perfect example. A city practically on its knees just 5 years ago, is showing extraordinary signs of recovery, particularly downtown, where so many of its beautiful art deco buildings have been restored.
The Aloft Hotel takes up two floors of the iconic David Whitney Building. A glorious example of Detroit’s golden age, this 1915 art deco masterpiece is now mainly gentrified apartments, but two floors have thankfully been secured for the hotel.
The 19 storey Whitney has always been a focal point of downtown; adjacent to the famous Woodward Avenue and the theatre district and just a few minutes’ walk from Detroit’s new River Walk, it’s a perfect place to be based for a few nights.
The breathtaking lobby is a pretty epic first impression. A cavernous four-storey gold leaf and marbled brick atrium provides the imposing welcome, with the reception desk struggling to be seen amongst all the grandeur.
Off to the right, the 24 hour Re:fuel self-service cafeteria provides free teas and coffees for guests and a generous selection grab and go snacks and goodies including light breakfasts.
While we’re talking 24 hour service, the Re:charge gym has enough bikes, treadmills and elliptical machines to tone any shape of body if you have the time to work out.
“Your room is ready Mr. Mossack, just take the right hand elevator up to the fourth floor ” A simple instruction you might feel, but then again, when the elevator is a gold embossed relic from an even more golden age, I want to savour the moment a little.
Steeping out at the fourth level, the high aspect perhaps offers an even more dramatic view if that’s possible.
I am loving this.
My corner room certainly doesn’t disappoint either. Not quite as cavernous as the atrium, but still generously spacious with some colourfully funky lounge furniture, a king bed and a panoramic view of Detroit’s newly emerging cityscape. There’s also free bottled water, coffee and wifi and Bliss Spa toiletries.
There are plans to open a full service restaurant in the lobby, god knows there is more than enough space for it, but in the mean time the WXYZ bar offers up some mean evening cocktails before hitting the Detroit night life.
The Aloft Hotel is a real gem. It manages to put a hipster feel into a grand old slice of Detroit’s once-prosperous past giving it a new lease of life.
I can almost feel it smiling.
Tell me more about the Aloft Hotel in Detroit
One Park Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48226
Tel: 313-237-1700
Rooms from $200 per night
Airport Parking
I Love meet and greet provides valet parking at Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted airports. Prices for one week’s parking at Heathrow from £98.98. visit: .
