Seamless stay at the Marriott Renaissance Center
by A TripAdvisor Member
I generally prefer small hotels due to the personal service, but the proximity of the Marriott to my meeting the next day was the determining factor in my choice.
I was pleasantly surprised at the nice service. The expansive lobby was spotless, yet empty, when I arrived on the Monday night of Thanksgiving week. I was immediately greeted by a smiling face behind the registration desk. I asked for a non-smoking floor and was immediately upgraded, free of charge, to one of Marriott's concierge levels due to the low occupancy that night. She put me in a 59th floor. The elevator was fast and smooth. The room offered a great view of Windsor and the Detroit River.
The room was ample size, and was very clean and comfortable. The room included a huge L-shaped work station, a comfortable arm chair with ottoman, and a very comfortable bed with lots of pillow choices. The bathroom was standard sized, but nice. The room was quiet, but again, occupancy was low that night, and I was on the opposite side of the floor where the ice machines were.
A call to the front desk was promptly answered by a friendly, personalized greeting. The 56th floor concierge lounge was very comfortable with complimentary newspapers, TV, soft drinks, and desserts. A free breakfast was offered (I got up too late to partake). Check-out was a breeze as the bill was placed under the door. All was correct.
Great Stay at RenCen Marriott
by TripAdvisor Member jjctraveler
I stayed at the Marriott Renaissance Center over Memorial Day weekend. I am an architecture nut, and had always wanted to stay at this John Portman designed hotel, so this was a fantasy for me.
The positives - Room 5015 had spectacular views of Detroit and the River. Even though the adjacent office building blocked the direct view, the side views were great. The elevators were very fast and I rarely had to wait more than 20 seconds. The trip up to 50 never took very long. The room was clean and the bed was very comfortable. For a cylindrical hotel, the room was spacious. Renaissance Center has great restaurants, a few shops and a food court. Beware that many shops and parts of the food court are closed on Sunday.
The problems - Finding the hotel entrance is a challenge. Read the hotel directions carefully. The entrance was very congested and not nearly big enough for all the cars. I wanted to self park, which I discovered is in the independent garage across the street, not affiliated with the hotel. I had no problems in the garage, but you have to haul your luggage across a busy street to get to the hotel. Forget valet parking, the wait and congestion are not worth it.
Once in the hotel you enter a motor lobby, but it is not the hotel lobby. You have to go up the very crowded and slow elevators to the main lobby two floors up. Once in the lobby, I had a 10 minute wait to get checked in, even though I had Marriott Rewards. The actual checkin took another 20 minutes. I was using Marriott Rewards for two days and 1 day I was paying for. Apparently this was too complicated for the clerk. While hauling my luggage into the hotel I discovered you could skip the lobby elevators and go through unmarked doors to the left, straight into Renaissance Center and then take the hotel elevators up to your room floor. They don't like you doing this, but it saves 5 minutes.
The hotel restaurant was OK. Great views of the river, but overpriced and slow for breakfast.
Other Comments - Renaissance Center has very nice restaurants facing the river and a large food court in the lower level. The food court is great, but it takes some effort to get there from the hotel.
While Detroit has a reputation as a dangerous city, I felt perfectly safe in Renaissance Center and the river promenade. I walked the surrounding streets until 9pm and had no problems. I would not recommend walking in downtown Detroit after dark, and in general you just need to be careful in the downtown area.
Renaissance Center allows the public to wander in the atrium, and photography is allowed (no tripods). The security guards are very friendly and very visible. Unfortunately, the GM renovation has not solved the circulation problems of the large circular atrium. It is still very confusing and difficult to find stores and move between floors. It took me three days to find the movie theaters! The hotel ballrooms are all on the upper floor next to the skylight, somewhat isolated from the public floors. There is direct elevator access from the ballroom floors to all hotel floors. The pool is gone (now the winter garden) but there is a health club on the 40th floor.
Note that GM films commercials and other videos in RenCen so certain parts become inaccessible when filming.
I would definitely stay at this hotel again, but I would not pay more than about $120 a night.
Great Place!
by TripAdvisor Member signature500
Had a little wait to check in, but it's a large hotel, what do you expect?
This is one massive hotel. Was in town for Red Bull Dragster Day and spent the night and had a pleasant stay. Clean room, friendly staff, just an overall cool place.
The restaurant for dinner tried to be upscale but never really got there. Food was good but not enough to knock my socks off.
Breakfast was another story! Their buffet for breakfast was the best I've seen in a long time.
Valet parking people were really cool and helped us find our way on several occasions.
Located next to the entrance for the tunnel to Windsor, Ontario Canada (take the shuttle)
Overall, I'll be back the next time I'm in Detroit
Photos
Detroit - Renaissance Center
Detroit - Renaissance Center
Detroit - Renaissance Center
Detroit - Renaissance Center
Forum Posts
Detroit Airport to Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center
by Corbama
Can someone give me details on how to catch a bus from the airport to the Marriott hotel. How much would it cost if I catch a taxi instead? I am trying to get there cheaply and fast enough to make a meet someone at hotel to catch a ride. I have about 1 hour and 30 minutes form the time I arrive to the airport to the time my meeting. Do you think I can make it by catching a bus. Pleasee help.
Tahnks
RE: Detroit Airport to Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center
by GottaTry
It is about 20 miles from the airport to your hotel.
You can take the SMART bus, it is cheap but I don't know if you could make it in time. Detroit does not have good public transportation.
To look up the schedule times go to http://www.smartbus.org and checkout the schedule for route 125.
I haven't done a cab in awhile but would guess it is about $40.
You might contact the hotel and see if they have any other options.
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