Trumbull and Porter Hotel

Trumbull and Porter is the hotel that put Corktown on the map for visitors. It stands at 1331 Trumbull Street, at the corner that gives it its name, on the edge of Detroit's oldest neighborhood and about a mile west of downtown. The building dates from 1968 and was long known as the Corktown Inn; it was renovated in 2016 into a relaxed, design-conscious hotel with 144 rooms on four floors, and it is now part of the Ascend Hotel Collection. The location is the draw: Michigan Central Station, the Southwest Greenway to the riverfront and the restaurants, bakeries and bars of Michigan Avenue are a short walk away, and Corktown is now one of the city's liveliest neighborhoods. Downtown, the stadiums and Huntington Place are a short drive or rideshare. Rates are usually well below the downtown boutique hotels.

Location and getting around: from the hotel you can walk to Michigan Central and the Corktown tour start in minutes, and to Michigan Avenue for dinner. Downtown is about a mile east, a few minutes by rideshare, and the hotel markets itself to fans heading for Comerica Park, Ford Field and Little Caesars Arena. The Henry Ford in Dearborn is a straightforward drive west. Unlike most downtown hotels, it has on-site parking, which has historically been free; confirm when you book.

The rooms: rooms are straightforward and comfortable rather than luxurious, with king or two-queen beds, good Wi-Fi and modern bathrooms, and they suit travelers who will be out most of the day. Ask for a room away from the street if you are a light sleeper. Check-in is at 3 p.m. and check-out at 11 a.m., and pets are allowed for a fee.

Who it suits and what to know: budget-minded couples, friends on a sports weekend, road-trippers with a car and anyone who would rather live in a neighborhood than among office towers. The hotel's food and drink offer has changed over the years, so check what is open during your stay; with Corktown's restaurants on the doorstep, you will rarely need it.