Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center [Master Thread]
Aug 30, 2012, 7:00 pm
#16
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Wyndham Diamond, Caesar's Diamond
Posts: 536
Aug 30, 2012, 7:25 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Wichita
Posts: 628
Rent "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" before you leave for Detroit. It tells the amazing story of the 13 musicians known at the "Funk Brothers" who played on just about every Motown hit.
When you get to Detroit, visit the Motown Museum: http://www.motownmuseum.com/mtmpages/ It is where just about all of the great Motown songs were recorded and was Motown's original offices.
I stayed at that Marriott in January and did the tour during a free morning. It was amazing. Easy cab ride.
When you get to Detroit, visit the Motown Museum: http://www.motownmuseum.com/mtmpages/ It is where just about all of the great Motown songs were recorded and was Motown's original offices.
I stayed at that Marriott in January and did the tour during a free morning. It was amazing. Easy cab ride.
Aug 30, 2012, 7:31 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
Take your passport.
You may want to go to Windsor Canada across the tunnel. Great places to eat....scenic river views of Detroit, waklable streets in Windsor.....Nice riverside drives, casinos...
You may want to go to Windsor Canada across the tunnel. Great places to eat....scenic river views of Detroit, waklable streets in Windsor.....Nice riverside drives, casinos...
Sep 1, 2012, 7:45 am
#21
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DCA | DEN
Programs: AA EXP/2.9mm | Marriott LT Titanium 1.6k nights | NEXUS
Posts: 981
I worked in the RenCen for 3 years more than a decade ago and was back in Detroit in May. Jacoby's on Brush is still good, , and I was impressed by a newer place off Grand Circus Park - Small Plates.
Sep 1, 2012, 5:02 pm
#22
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 2,581
I work in the complex. Marriott and Courtyard are both owned by GM and are pretty similar in every way (cost etc). I've never heard anyone displeased with the Marriott...they handle repeat visitors pretty well. Much fun to do in Detroit, honest! Windsor is a nice diversion. The upswing since 2009 has been quite nice...there is a nice buzz in downtown. There's a CVS also in the complex, and a pretty good supermarket a quick walk away in Lafayette Park.
Nov 27, 2012, 2:43 am
#24
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
It's been several months since I was last there, but the lounge has always been among the best in the country.
As for high or low floor, IME they will give you what you request. My first visit there, I was given a low floor. When I asked why I wasn't given a high floor, they apologized and changed my room. Because of my feather allergy, they had to get housekeeping to fix the room. The housekeeper pushed back. The front desk clerk explained I was Plat and the room was quickly made ready.
As for high or low floor, IME they will give you what you request. My first visit there, I was given a low floor. When I asked why I wasn't given a high floor, they apologized and changed my room. Because of my feather allergy, they had to get housekeeping to fix the room. The housekeeper pushed back. The front desk clerk explained I was Plat and the room was quickly made ready.
May 9, 2013, 12:47 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: MCI
Programs: SPG Gold-no diff than Plat, so who cares; Marriott Gold, Hyatt Diamond, US CP
Posts: 209
Inconsistent
Just stayed 2 nights as a Gold, my second stay. I agree with the comment that this is one of the best lounges in the US. Better than any Marriott lounge I've seen, and tops amongst most Sheraton and Hyatt lounges. First time I had a nice view, good service, on one of the club floors. Valet was/is slow as mud.
This week I was assigned a room on the 51st floor. Not as good a view as the first time, on the 59th, but not a big deal. Housekeeping was very poor on this non club floor, as I found an old bar of soap on the tub from the previous guest...yuck. That has not happened in my 4 years of weekly travel. I asked the guest service line to pls make certain my bathroom was deep cleaned the next day. No apology, not sure if they did, but I didn't notice anything else.
The hotel does not have self parking. You have to park across the street at Miller Parking, a garage where there is no in/out privilege. I was ok with that because my work was in the Ren Cen. It is $20 for 24 hours, and much faster self service.
Not sure if I will stay here again...may try the Westin or Courtyard across the street. For $215 in Detroit, I was very very disappointed.
This week I was assigned a room on the 51st floor. Not as good a view as the first time, on the 59th, but not a big deal. Housekeeping was very poor on this non club floor, as I found an old bar of soap on the tub from the previous guest...yuck. That has not happened in my 4 years of weekly travel. I asked the guest service line to pls make certain my bathroom was deep cleaned the next day. No apology, not sure if they did, but I didn't notice anything else.
The hotel does not have self parking. You have to park across the street at Miller Parking, a garage where there is no in/out privilege. I was ok with that because my work was in the Ren Cen. It is $20 for 24 hours, and much faster self service.
Not sure if I will stay here again...may try the Westin or Courtyard across the street. For $215 in Detroit, I was very very disappointed.
May 9, 2013, 2:27 pm
#26
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA lt Gld - 1.7MM; UA GS; Marriott LT Plt; Thalys Gold
Posts: 244
Used to stay there a lot. Everything said in the threads is true. Once I got upgraded to a the presidential suite. No wonder I could not find the door. It was half a floor with piano, etc. I felt kind of lost. Had to latch the bedroom door 
I also found the drinks at the lounge downstairs to be very well poured and not too expensive, which is nice. I highly recommend the Italian deli in what at least used to be the EDS tower.
The place also has a movie theater complex.
BTW, I personally I stayed away from Andiamo's restaurant. After going there quite often, they served me a seabass that was so stale that after I broke the breading open, the whole bar had the smell of ammonia... it should never have left the kitchen.
I also found the drinks at the lounge downstairs to be very well poured and not too expensive, which is nice. I highly recommend the Italian deli in what at least used to be the EDS tower.
The place also has a movie theater complex.
BTW, I personally I stayed away from Andiamo's restaurant. After going there quite often, they served me a seabass that was so stale that after I broke the breading open, the whole bar had the smell of ammonia... it should never have left the kitchen.
I will be spending the next 6-8 weeks in Detroit for business (office located downtown) and will likely spend most weeks at the Marriott Renaissance Center. Does anyone have tips regarding special room to ask for (which side for best view, etc.) or restaurants / nightlife in the area? I know about the casinos downtown and definitely plan to check them out but looking for some nice places to have dinner that won't be the same old thing night after night.
Thanks for any input. For what it's worth I am currently a silver and will become gold at some point during the 6-8 weeks.
Thanks for any input. For what it's worth I am currently a silver and will become gold at some point during the 6-8 weeks.
Jun 11, 2014, 5:04 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: Delta Platinum & 2MM, Marriott Lifetime TIT, Hertz Pres Club, IHG Gold, *A Gold
Posts: 1,253
Not impressed and will try the Courtyard across the street next time. Very dated room. Stains on carpet & ceiling. 66th floor. Elevators are fast and never had to wait very long for one. Lounge can get extremely crowded at breakfast time. I had to sit at a computer terminal to eat and was lucky to even get that. Can't complain about the service.
Very thin towels. Arms of fabric desk chair are worn.
This room is in serious need of refurbishment.
Very thin towels. Arms of fabric desk chair are worn.
This room is in serious need of refurbishment.
Jun 11, 2014, 6:38 pm
#29
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
Hey, if you're still going to be there for another day can you ask them what the breakfast situation is on the weekend? Do they open the lounge for breakfast only, or do they have it in the restaurant & if it's in the restaurant, is it for cont'l or for full? Thx!
Cheers.
Cheers.