Thinking about a trip to Motown? Detroit has gone through a huge renaissance, transforming itself into a trendy area of industrial style. But with so many unique areas & neighborhoods to discover, deciding where to stay in Detroit, MI, can be a challenge.
From rich history to lively nightlife, there’s a neighborhood in this buzzing city to suit your vacation. For most tourists, the best areas to stay are Downtown Detroit, Greektown, Corktown, Midtown, and Eastern Market. Neighborhoods like Corktown are home to typical Detroit-style apartments and vacation rentals, while Downtown and Greektown are home to some of the best hotels in Detroit.
Ready to delve into the Motor City? Find the perfect accommodation with this complete guide to the best places to stay in Detroit, Michigan, including the top hotels, areas, and neighborhoods.
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our other hotel & accommodations guides and our United States Travel Guide for recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
Best places to stay in Detroit, MI
The key to a memorable and hassle-free trip to Detroit lies in choosing which neighborhood to base yourself. The good news? The main areas in Detroit that are of interest to travelers are walkable, so you can easily tick off all the top sights in each district. Want to jump between neighborhoods? Public transport like the People Mover and QLine provide seamless transfers.
First-time visitors will have a great time in Downtown Detroit. Shedding its former rough-and-tumble reputation, Downtown is packed with some of the top Detroit tourist attractions and is in a central location to access other neighborhoods. The nightlife in nearby Greektown offers lively tavernas and immense casinos.
Hunker down in Corktown for edgy independent businesses and a thriving foodie scene. To find Detroit’s classy side, stay in Midtown. Here you’ll find high-end boutiques and sleek contemporary art galleries.
Or stay in the heart of one of the city’s top-rated activities at Eastern Market, hosting a large farmers’ market where you can support small local businesses.
The best areas to stay in Detroit, MI, are:
Downtown Detroit
✓ Best area to stay in Detroit for first-time visitors
Want to pack in all Detroit’s top sights? Downtown Detroit is home to some of the city’s top attractions and its fanciest hotels. It’s a walkable area with everything on your doorstep. Access other parts of the city with paths like the Detroit Riverwalk and Dequindre Cut.
Kickstart your trip with some of the most popular museums in Detroit. Delve into Detroit’s motor history at the Detroit Historical Museum and admire its classic cars collection.
Nature lovers will want to make some time for the Belle Isle Aquarium. It’s the oldest aquarium in the US, combining modern renovations with stunning period features.
Downtown Detroit has fantastic parks and public spaces. Marvel at twinkling light installations in Beacon Park, or get your street food fix in the beautiful gardens of Cadillac Square.
Every summer Campus Martius Park transforms into a hot beach spot. Soak up the sun on the sand in the heart of the city.
As Downtown sits at the heart of the city, it’s home to many of the top Detroit hotels, with a selection spanning everything from elegant boutique hotels to the city’s most-famed luxury hotels. Expect to pay higher prices here.
Shinola Hotel
No detail is too small in this beautiful boutique hotel. Earth-tone décor and mid-century furniture create a serene space to unwind during your stay in the city. As well as a fabulous art collection, the hotel offers an alley of curated shops. Feast on pasta in the southern Italian restaurant or tuck into wings and a pint in the Detroit-style bar.
The Detroit Club
Standing since 1891, this private club is the oldest in Detroit. Every effort has been made to preserve its original features while providing you with ultimate comfort. Start with an aperitif in the craft cocktail library, dine in the eclectic restaurant, then finish in the cigar lounge. A light and airy wellness area has a wonderful selection of spa treatments.
Detroit Foundation Hotel
Stay in a 1929 fire department building transformed into a stylish hotel. Dark features and original wood paneling expertly blends the old and the new. The hotel makes a huge effort to support the community. Throughout the lodgings, you’ll find local artwork and details created by some of the most talented artisans in Detroit.
Aloft Detroit at The David Whitney
Sleep in the historic David Whitney building in the heart of Downtown. Elegant rooms provide spacious views of the Detroit skyline. Unwind in the 24-hour fitness center or over cocktails and live music in the bar.
Element Detroit at the Metropolitan
This elegant hotel is within walking distance from top attractions like Ford Field and Little Caesars Arena. Spacious rooms have fully equipped kitchenettes, so you can enjoy extra relaxation and privacy. Start your day with a delicious complimentary breakfast or in the 24-hour fitness center.
Greektown
✓ Best place to stay in Detroit for nightlife
Victorian streetscapes and a vibrant Greek community make Greektown one of the prettiest places to stay in Detroit. The small area is in the Northeast part of Downtown and has a stop on the Detroit People Mover, so you’ll have easy access to the rest of the city. Traditional tavernas, a lively nightlife scene, and old-world charm make this a magical place to base yourself for your Detroit adventure.
Throw yourself into authentic Greek culture. Visit the impressive Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral or attend a Sunday mass at Old Saint Mary’s Church. The Romanesque-style Roman Catholic church was built in 1884.
The true star of Greektown is its thriving nightlife scene. Feast on sizzling saganaki and succulent lamb at Pegasus Taverna. Many of the restaurant kitchens stay open past 3 am, so you can eat, drink, and be merry well into the night.
The Hollywood Casino at Greektown always has a star-studded lineup of live music and plenty of opportunities to test your luck.
There are only a handful of accommodation options in Greektown, but what you’ll find here is fun and inviting.
Hollywood Casino at Greektown
You’ll find no shortage of entertainment in this casino hotel. Enjoy floor-to-ceiling views of Downtown spread out over 30 stories. Experience some of the best nightlife in Detroit without leaving the hotel. From cocktail lounges to sports bars, you can party late into the night and then roll straight into bed.
Sonder The Randolph
This beautiful 19th-century hotel has light and airy apartments with stunning city views. Colorful and homey touches make this a great place to relax during your Detroit trip. Enjoy complimentary artisan coffee and designer toiletries to welcome you to the neighborhood.
Atheneum Suite Hotel
Get the complete Greek experience in this all-suite hotel. Even if you don’t stay here, you should take some time to visit the breathtaking marble lobby. Grand suites feature whirlpool baths and skyline views. Foodies will be in paradise with two on-site Mediterranean restaurants.
Corktown
✓ Top-rated neighborhood to stay in Detroit for foodies and hipsters
Base yourself in Detroit’s oldest neighborhood: Corktown. The district is named after the influx of Irish immigrants in the 1800s and is still full of Irish charm today.
With its rich past, Corktown is one of the most up-and-coming neighborhoods in the United States. Filled with colorful Victorian architecture and funky restaurants, the area is one of the trendiest spots to stay in the Motor City.
Despite a surge in investment, Corktown has a low-key feel, with relaxed pubs, friendly live music venues, and high-end apartments. Tuck into the best sandwich of your life at Mudgies Deli and Wine Shop, or try their staple sausage gravy skillet.
Enjoy pub grub and a game of pool at McShane’s Irish Pub & Whiskey Bar, or sample locally distilled spirits in the tasting room of Two James Spirits.
Spend your afternoons exploring the quirky shopping scene. Pick up a vintage dress from Mama Coos, rummage for music at Hello Records, and search the endless shelves of John K. King Used & Rare Books.
Unlike in areas closer to the city center, most of the accommodations options in Corktown are apartments and vacation rentals rather than chain hotels.
Luxury Design Focused Detroit-Themed Apartment
This modern apartment features exposed brick and wooden floors for a cozy and casual atmosphere. Relax in the quiet of your own sanctuary, with a fully equipped kitchen and a flat-screen TV. Spend mornings sipping coffee on the balcony before you get out and explore Corktown.
Trumbull and Porter – Detroit Downtown
This artisan hotel is full of creative soul. Designer rooms come with furniture by local craftspeople, and art installations are spread throughout the social spaces. Feast on seasonal dishes in the restaurant, sip masterful cocktails in the bar, or savor an espresso with a pastry in the lounge.
Luxurious High Rise Downtown Apartment
This property gives you the privacy of an apartment with the luxury of hotel amenities. Spend time outside on the patio, garden, or children’s playground. Play tennis to the background of the Detroit skyline. With an indoor pool, casino, and fitness center, you’ll find no shortage of ways to spend time together.
MGM Grand Detroit
This immense 400-room hotel has luxurious features and incredible amenities. Rooms use the latest wellness technologies so you can wake up refreshed and ready to take on the city. As well as a huge selection of restaurants and bars, you can enjoy the wellness center, casino, and virtual golf experience.
Motor City Casino
The buzzing Motor City Casino has 400 spacious rooms complete with granite desks, large bathtubs, and ergonomic chairs. Unwind in the various lounges of the on-site spa, try your luck in the casino, or catch your favorite act on the huge main stage.
Midtown
✓ Recommended place to stay for shopping and art
The elegant Midtown neighborhood is the place to be for upscale restaurants, galleries, and boutiques. The late 19th-century buildings got a serious makeover to create a sleek and modern restaurant and retail district.
Pick up high-end trinkets in the wonderful selection of boutiques. Shinola’s flagship store sets the tone for high-quality goods and craftsmanship. Personalize your own belts and wallets at Will Leather Goods, shop for bachelor-style home décor at Hugh, or create stunning bouquets at Made Floral.
Contemporary art lovers will be in paradise, with exciting galleries popping up across Midtown. The N’Namdi Center displays the work of African American artists, while the Detroit Artists Market is a non-profit gallery and collective for local creatives.
Explore over 60,000 artworks at the Detroit Institute of Art. The immense museum stretches back to ancient times and explores cultures from around the world.
Although Midtown is full of arts & culture, the accommodations scene is more limited than in other areas around Detroit. Expect to find more bed & breakfasts, inns, and vacation rentals.
Industrial Midtown Vibe
This industrial-style apartment will set the tone for your Midtown adventures. There’s a cozy open-plan living space and a fully equipped kitchen. It’s in a prime location, within walking distance of restaurants, bars, and the Detroit Institute of Arts.
The Inn on Ferry Street
Live out your Victorian fantasies at The Inn on Ferry Street. This collection of late 19th-century homes has been reimagined to create a unique place to stay in Detroit. Impressive architecture, charming décor, and modern amenities combine to create this stunning accommodation.
The Inn at 97 Winder
Spend your stay in Midtown at the historic John Harvey Mansion. Built in 1887, the building towers over you as you approach the front porch. Elegant rooms with decadent furnishings give you ultimate period luxury. An on-site spa and antique-style parlor provide lots of places to relax in a regal fantasy.
Eastern Market
✓ Recommended area for a more local experience
The Eastern Market area is named after the biggest outdoor farmers market in the US. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, farmers, vendors, and wholesalers flock here to sell their seasonal goods. The Eastern Market has been running since 1841 and is an essential Detroit experience.
Browse an emporium of spices, produce, and artisan goods stretching across 43 acres. Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts and homewares. Pewabic Pottery sells intricate ceramics and tiles, while Henry the Hatter is the oldest hat retailer in the country.
Buildings are alive with over 100 vibrant murals spread throughout Eastern Market. These murals depict every part of city life, from pretty flowers to Detroiters hard at work. To see the best of them, start on Division Street.
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You’ll also find a broad selection of food here. Make sure to sample the iconic coney dogs from Zeff’s Coney Island Restaurant. Or try the famous homemade bologna at Stache International.
Detroit Skyline Luxe Loft
This stunning loft combines industrial features, plush furnishings, and golden lighting to create an inviting and luxurious space. The huge open-plan living space includes a fully equipped kitchen and gorgeous views of the Detroit skyline. Curl up in a leather chair to the backdrop of exposed brick walls and a crackling fireplace.
