The David Whitney Building is one of downtown Detroit's great early skyscrapers, completed in 1915 and designed by the firm of Daniel Burnham, and its upper floors now hold a 160-room hotel that is part of Marriott's Autograph Collection. The hotel previously operated as an Aloft, and it is now sold as Hotel David Whitney. The building stands on the edge of Grand Circus Park, in the heart of the theater district, and the hotel is a short walk from the Fox Theatre and Comerica Park, with Ford Field also nearby. It is smaller and more intimate than the big downtown towers, and the combination of a historic setting and a manageable size is its appeal.
Rooms and amenities
Rooms offer premium bedding, 42-inch televisions and mini fridges, and extra and infant beds are free. The hotel has a restaurant, a coffee shop or cafe and a bar, along with a firepit and an outdoor entertainment area, which make it a lively place to spend an evening in the warmer months. A 24-hour gym, free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk, laundry services, luggage storage and three meeting rooms round out the facilities. Cooked-to-order breakfast is available for a surcharge.
Practical details
Check-in runs from 3 p.m., with late arrivals subject to availability, and check-out is before 11 a.m., with express check-out available. The minimum check-in age is 21. Parking is by valet for a surcharge. Dogs are welcome: one pet up to 75 pounds is allowed at no charge, and an off-leash area is available, which is unusually generous for a downtown hotel.
Who it suits
Couples who prefer a boutique feel, theater and concert goers, travelers with a dog, and anyone who wants to stay in a historic building without the scale of a convention hotel. Guest reviews praise the helpful staff, and the location puts the Fox Theatre, the People Mover and Campus Martius within a short walk. It is a particularly good fit for a long weekend built around shows and games, with museums in Midtown a short ride up Woodward on the QLINE. Book early for event nights.
Why stay here
- ✓160 rooms in a 1915 landmark building
- ✓Restaurant, cafe and bar
- ✓Firepit and outdoor entertainment area
- ✓24-hour gym
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓Valet parking (surcharge)
- ✓Dog friendly, one pet up to 75 lbs free
- ✓Walk to the Fox Theatre and Comerica Park
Good questions
Where is Hotel David Whitney?+
In the David Whitney Building beside Grand Circus Park in downtown Detroit, a short walk from the Fox Theatre and Comerica Park.
Is it pet friendly?+
Yes. One dog up to 75 pounds is allowed at no charge, and there is an off-leash area.
What are check-in and check-out times?+
Check-in runs from 3 p.m., with late arrivals subject to availability. Check-out is before 11 a.m., and the minimum check-in age is 21.
