Detroit's BEST Downtown Hotel? Comfort Inn's SHOCKING Secret Revealed!
Detroit's Downtown Dilemma: Is Comfort Inn REALLY the Best? (And What's With the Secret?)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill some serious tea on Detroit's downtown hotel scene. I went in expecting a straightforward review, you know, the usual "pros and cons." What I found? Well, let's just say it was… interesting. And that "Comfort Inn's SHOCKING Secret"? Yeah, we'll get there.
First, let's be clear. I'm not talking about some swanky, high-roller, expense-account-only digs. I'm talking about the place you'd choose for a conference, a weekend getaway, or maybe just because you're stranded downtown and need a place to crash. And in Detroit, options are… well, let's just say they vary.
My mission: To find the true best downtown hotel, factoring in everything from accessibility to the quality (and quantity!) of the complimentary coffee. And, of course, the all-important "vibe."
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag… Mostly Good!
Detroit, bless its heart, is a city still figuring some things out when it comes to accessibility. I was genuinely impressed with what Comfort Inn offered, though, at least on paper. Wheelchair accessible rooms were clearly marked, which is a huge win. The elevator? Smooth sailing. Finding the specific ramp I needed? Slightly less smooth, and a little bit of a hunt. But hey, at least they had one. The front desk was very helpful, and the facilities for disabled guests were, on the whole, a thoughtful and welcome touch. They even offered facilities for disabled guests which, again, is a great starting point.
On-site Accessible Restaurants & Lounges: Zero, Zilch, Nada - (MAJOR FAIL)
Okay, here's where the shine starts to fade. While the hotel itself seemed relatively accessible, the on-site dining? Forget about it. There was a sad little breakfast nook (more on that later), but no actual restaurants or lounges to speak of. The whole setup looked pretty bleak…I mean, how hard is it to slap down a ramp? I felt a little ashamed of the city for not being more accommodating. It definitely made dining a pain, especially if you're not particularly mobile. Zero stars for the food. The Poolside bar and Happy hour was a complete joke.
Internet: The Modern Necessity – And the Comfort Inn Keeps Up!
Thank the internet gods! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hooray! The Internet was a solid connection, which is huge when you're trying to work or just, you know, exist in the 21st century. I did try the Internet [LAN] option just to see if it still worked. It did.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: From Spa Dreams to Gym Reality…
Now, this is where things get a little… ambitious. The brochure advertised a fitness center and a pool with view. And… that was it. The Spa, Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, and Massage? Nope. Dream on, buttercup. I was hoping the pool would at least make up for it, but it was a standard indoor pool. Fine, I guess. Not exactly the "luxury" experience I daydreamed about, but clean, and the windows offered at least a view of the Detroit skyline.
Cleanliness & Safety: Pandemic-Era Considerations
Okay, let's get real. This is 2024, and we're still dealing with this whole germ situation. Comfort Inn actually did a pretty decent job. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. They even had a little sign highlighting the Hygiene certification. The staff seemed genuinely invested in keeping things clean, and they were super good about washing their hands. The Staff trained in safety protocol was another plus.
I appreciated the extra effort – Individually-wrapped food options at breakfast, Hand sanitizer everywhere, and the Room sanitization opt-out available. Less appreciated was how they tried to sell the extra effort on the website.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Breakfast Nook Blues
Oh, the breakfast. The breakfast. This is where my experience went from "meh" to "sigh." The Breakfast [buffet] was, um, let's call it minimalist. Think pre-packaged muffins, watery coffee (the worst sin!), and a selection of processed foods that even my five-year-old self would have turned down. The Asian breakfast and International cuisine in restaurant they advertised were definitely absent. Though I did see a few lonely pastries. But hey, at least they offered a Breakfast takeaway service which was better than nothing, I suppose.
There was a Coffee/tea in restaurant and a Coffee shop – but the "restaurant" was really just a glorified breakfast nook. I heard someone complaining about the lack of good restaurants.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
This is where Comfort Inn actually surprised me. The Daily housekeeping was efficient and friendly. The Concierge was helpful with directions and finding local restaurants. The Air conditioning in public area was a godsend during the summer heat, and the Elevator worked reliably. There's a Convenience store which is useful, and Cash withdrawal and Currency exchange are always welcome. However, the lack of a Dry cleaning, Ironing service, or Laundry service was a bummer.
For the Kids: A Family-Friendly?
The hotel certainly had Family/child friendly in its description, but I didn't see any evidence of special Kids facilities. No playground, no game room, no anything. There was a Babysitting service listed, but I didn't test it.
Available in All Rooms: The Comforts (and the Quirks)
Here's the nitty-gritty of the rooms themselves. They claimed to offer an Additional toilet, but mine didn't. The Air conditioning was blasting good. The Alarm clock worked, and the Bathtub was clean. I did appreciate the Bathrobes and Slippers – those little touches always win me over.
My room had a Blackout curtains which was much needed. There was a working Coffee/tea maker. The Complimentary tea was a lifesaver! The Desk was perfect for the occasional work and there was a Free bottled water. The Hair dryer was functional. The High floor had some decent views of the city. A In-room safe box was available. The Internet access – wireless was excellent. The Ironing facilities were available, but the Laptop workspace was cramped. The Mini bar was there, but mostly empty and the Non-smoking was good.
The On-demand movies selection was a little dated. There was a Private bathroom. The Reading light was appreciated. The Refrigerator was good. The Satellite/cable channels were good. A Seating area was available. The Separate shower/bathtub was a plus. The Shower had good water pressure. A Smoke detector and the Socket near the bed was perfect.
Getting Around: The Detroit Dance
The hotel offered Airport transfer, which is fantastic. The hotel offered a Car park [free of charge].
The SHOCKING Secret… Revealed!
Okay, here it is. The "shocking secret" wasn't some hidden speakeasy, or a secret tunnel to Canada. It was… the price. For what you got, the Comfort Inn was… surprisingly affordable. Like, "wow, actually a good deal considering the other hotels in the downtown area" affordable. That's gotta be the secret, because even though I made a list of the downsides, the price point was pretty low considering competitors.
Final Verdict: Mixed Feelings, But…
Look, Comfort Inn isn’t going to win any awards for luxury. It's not the sexiest hotel in Detroit. But you know what? It gets the job done, mostly, and doesn't seem to gouge your wallet. It's clean, relatively accessible, and the staff try. If you're looking for a no-frills, budget-friendly option in downtown Detroit, it's… not terrible. Just don't expect a spa day, and definitely pack your own protein bars.
SEO & Metadata – The Rundown
- Keywords: Detroit Hotel, Downtown Detroit Hotels, Comfort Inn Detroit, Accessible Hotels Detroit, Free Wi-Fi Detroit, Budget Hotel Detroit, Detroit, Hotel Review, Travel Detroit
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of Comfort Inn Detroit – the good, the bad, and the affordable! Find out if it's the best downtown hotel and the SHOCKING secret they don't want you to know! Accessibility, amenities, and the all-important "vibe" analyzed.
- Tags: Detroit
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's sanitized travel brochure. This is Detroit, baby, and we're doing it my way, from the Comfort Inn Downtown. God help us all.
Day 1: Arrival & The "Holy Crap, We're Here!" Moment
1:00 PM: Arrive at Detroit Metro Airport (DTW). Okay, so the flight was fine. Turbulence was minimal, peanuts were stale, standard operating procedure. But the moment I stepped off that jet bridge and into the Detroit air? WHOA. The city just… hit you. Buildings that look both impossibly grand and slightly crumbling at the edges. A certain grit, a vibe. It's not pretty, but it's alive.
2:00 PM: Shuttle to Comfort Inn Downtown. Found the hotel shuttle (thank god, my luggage is heavier than my will to live). The drive in… well, let's just say Detroit's landscape is a story in itself. Abandoned factories, beautiful murals peeking through the cracks… it's a city that wears its history like a tough, beautiful tattoo.
3:00 PM: Check-in at the Comfort Inn. Alright, let's be real, the Comfort Inn isn't winning any design awards. But clean enough, free breakfast (essential), and the location is actually decent. The front desk guy, bless his heart, looked like he'd seen things. Asked me about the weather (always a safe conversational gambit) and gave me one of those "Detroit's got a lot to offer, but be careful after dark" smiles. Gave me the creeps immediately. But hey, free Wi-Fi, right?
3:30 PM: Room Assessment (and Mild Panic). Okay, room. Standard hotel room. I'm already missing my cat. Oh hell, I should have brought her! Now I'm thinking about how I should ask her to come with me to Detroit next time. Okay, room. Double bed (score!), suspicious stains on the carpet (less score), and a view… of another building. Sigh. Maybe I'll just become a shut-in during my time here. I'm already questioning all my life's choices. Ahhh, let's unpack and try to get used to the idea of being here.
4:00 PM: Wandering around the hotel. I just had to see if they have a gym and pool. Apparently, there is a gym, but it looks more like a storage closet with a treadmill, a weight machine with a broken pulley, and a dead weight. On the other hand, there is a pool. However, I'm not sure if I should trust it. I might end up with a parasitic infestation if I jump into that thing. Nevermind.
5:00 PM: The "Touristy But Necessary" - The Detroit RiverWalk. Okay, gotta get out and breathe real air. They say the RiverWalk is the place to be… walked towards it. It's not as shiny as some other cities' waterfronts, but there's a certain honesty to it, a reminder of the city's industrial past. I got a hot dog from a street vendor. It had a weird snap to it. I'm already missing my usual food.
7:00 PM: Dinner at a "Recommended" Restaurant - Slows Bar BQ. The reviews raved. The line was a mile long. The smell of barbeque, though? Heavenly. I thought as I stood there in the rain. The ribs were legitimately incredible. Like, moan-worthy good. And the mac and cheese? Forget about it. I inhaled it. Did the same with the coleslaw. Totally worth the wait. Suddenly, Detroit was looking better. Much, much better.
9:00 PM: Solo Exploration - Walking back to the hotel. I tried to retrace my steps. Unfortunately, it was dark, and the streets… changed. Some areas were lit, others… not so much. I may have gotten slightly lost. I may have seen some things I wasn't supposed to see. Got back to the hotel safe, and I'm still high on BBQ. Time for bed.
Day 2: Diving Deep (and Maybe Going Slightly Off the Rails)
8:00 AM: Free Breakfast at the Comfort Inn. The "free" breakfast. The eggs are… suspect. The coffee is lukewarm. You can tell this is a place where you have to keep your eyes open. It's edible, though. Fuel is fuel.
9:00 AM: The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). Hmmm… Now this is impressive. They've got everything from ancient artifacts to modern masterpieces. It's a bit overwhelming. I need to find my bearings. And take a seat. After an hour and a half, I realized I'm not really sure where I am. But there are paintings… lots of them. I like the paintings of Detroit, and it's got me feeling kind of emotional. I spent a lot of time in front of the Caravaggio. I did actually like it. Then I had a meltdown in front of the Diego Rivera murals. So much beauty, so much history, so much… suffering. I needed a sit-down and a snack.
12:00 PM: Lunch near the DIA. Found a little cafe near the DIA called "The Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company." (Apparently, Detroit loves its cafes). It was good. The coffee was strong. Needed it to face the afternoon.
1:00 PM: Greektown… Or Trying To. Everyone says Greektown is amazing. The food, the energy, the culture! Okay, let's go. I tried to go. I took a wrong turn. I ended up in an area that looked completely different. And probably dangerous. So, I retreated. Maybe tomorrow.
2:00 PM: Unexpected Detour - The Heidelberg Project. This is a whole other level of Detroit. It's a residential area transformed into an outdoor art installation. It's wild, it's chaotic, it's… thought-provoking. I didn't "get" all of it. But it made me feel. And that's what matters.
4:00 PM: Another Attempt at Greektown. Determined to conquer Greektown. Found it! Found it. The smell of garlic and oregano. The lively chatter. The overwhelming number of restaurants. I ended up at a place called "The Golden Fleece." The food was decent. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to eat another plate of moussaka.
6:00 PM: Driving Around the City. I went to Belle Isle. I got lost. But it's so beautiful there… It's such a great escape. 7:00 PM: I'm back at the hotel. I'm still getting the hang of this city.
8:00 PM: The Evening - Comfort Inn and Room Service (if available). I'm beat. Room service? Nope. But I've got some granola bars and a questionable bag of chips I picked up at a gas station. I'll be in my room. Probably watching TV.
Day 3: The "Is This Real Life?" Day and Departure
8:00 AM: Comfort Inn Breakfast (Again). The eggs remain… questionable. I think I'm getting used to it.
9:00 AM: The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. Okay, THIS is a must-see. From the Rosa Parks bus to the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. It's a mind-blowing collection of American history and ingenuity. I spent hours there. Feeling a bit overwhelmed.
12:00 PM: Lunch at the Henry Ford Museum. Their cafe isn't bad. I felt a bit more human after eating lunch.
1:00 PM: More Museum exploration. I spent a lot of time looking at old cars. And the planes. God, the planes.
4:00 PM: A Quiet Moment. I just want to sit on a bench. I did that. No, I don't have any profound reflections.
5:00 PM: Pre-Departure Dinner - Whatever's Convenient. The restaurant options are fewer. I just want something that is not too messy.
7:00 PM: Back to the Comfort Inn. Packing. Did I forget anything? Probably.
8:00 PM: Last Look. The hotel is what it is. It's been a place to lay my head. I'm looking out the window at the city one final time. It feels okay.
9:00 PM: Bed.
Day 4: Departure. Back to DTW. Goodbye, Detroit. Did I love it? Hate it? Don't know. It's complicated. It's a city that stays with you. I'll be back. Maybe… I'll probably need therapy.
So, Detroit's "Best"? Really? Which Hotel Are We ACTUALLY Talking About?
Alright, alright, lemme get this straight. We're *supposed* to be talking about the Comfort Inn downtown. The one near… well, near something. You know, the one with the probably-functional free breakfast. But "best" is a loaded word, right? It's subjective, like whether or not pineapple belongs on pizza (it DOESN'T, fight me). I’ve stayed there a few times, because sometimes… you gotta. Don't go in expecting the Ritz, okay? Prepare yourself for a slightly-above-average-but-inevitably-kinda-dingy-feeling hotel experience. And if you're looking for the "best," I actually prefer the... well, I'm not saying yet.
What's the "Shocking Secret?" Is there a zombie apocalypse brewing in the basement?
Okay, the "shocking secret" is less Resident Evil and more… the breakfast. You know, the one advertised as 'free.' It's a gamble. Sometimes it's a perfectly acceptable continental spread (think stale bagels, sugary cereals, the occasional sad-looking banana). Other times...oh, other times. I've witnessed things. Like the perpetually-empty orange juice dispenser. And the coffee that, and I'm not exaggerating here, could probably dissolve steel. One time? One glorious, horrifying time? There were *muffins*! But alas, they were encased in solid, dry shells, as if baked in a kiln. It was tragic. The secret? Lower your expectations, *way* down. And bring your own coffee. Seriously.
Is the Location Actually… Good? Like, Can I Walk Anywhere?
Location? Hmm. It depends on what you want. It's… in downtown. Which means, yes, you *can* walk. Technically. It's close enough to the action, like watching the Tigers play (if the traffic doesn't eat you alive). But “walkable?” Let's just say I wouldn't stroll alone to see a 3 am bar. So, yes, yes and no and yes. Uber/Lyft are your friends. And parking? Oh dear Lord, parking. Prepare your wallet. And your patience. You've been warned.
What About the Rooms? Are They Actually Comfortable?
Comfort? Okay, let’s be real. Expect… basic. The beds are generally… bed-shaped. I've never been a fan, but i digress. The sheets *might* be clean. The bathrooms are… functional. The air conditioning *probably* works. The decor? Well, it’s… there. It's the kind of decor that screams, "We haven't updated since 1998." Honestly though, It's not the worst I've seen. I'm still here.
Alright, spill the tea. Any PARTICULAR horror stories? Because I love a good hotel tale.
Oh, honey, do I! There was the time (and it still haunts my dreams) when the fire alarm went off at 3 AM. False alarm, naturally. But the panicked scramble! People stumbling out in various stages of undress. Me, in my finest (read: least embarrassing) pajamas, dodging rogue luggage and the occasional screaming child. The real horror? The questionable pizza slices available in the vending machine on the way back to the room were even LESS appetizing in the fluorescent hotel hallway light. And the smell … oh, the smell of wet carpet and burnt popcorn! Never again, I swear.
Is There a Pool? Because sometimes that's the only reason I book a hotel.
I *think* there is? I honestly can't remember. To be sure, ask! I'll need to give you the same disclaimer I gave myself: The pool area is probably not the pristine, sparkling oasis you're imagining. Think more… functional, with a hint of chlorine, and probably a few noisy kids. But hey, at least you won't feel so bad about the muffins.
Okay, Okay. So, what IS good about it? Anything?
Okay, okay, I'll give it to you straight. Here’s what *I* liked. The staff, at least the ones I met, were generally kind and were trying their best. Are they over-worked? Probably. Do they still smile? Usually. The location, as I said before, is… useful. The price is usually… reasonable (emphasis on *usually*). And, at the end of the day, it's a place to sleep. A warm, generally-clean-ish place to sleep. And sometimes, that's all you need. But don't expect a spa. Or room service. Or anything remotely luxurious. Got it?
So, Should I Actually Book This Place or Run Screaming?
It depends on where you're coming from. If you're expecting the the Four Seasons? Run screaming! Literally. If you want a budget-friendly option that doesn't make you feel like you're sleeping in a dumpster, but will still meet your needs? It *might* work. It's not my first choice, or second, or even third. But, it's there. Just go in with eyes wide open, a healthy dose of realism, and a backup stash of your favorite breakfast items. You may be surprised. Or, you may wish you'd stayed home. But hey, at least you experienced Detroit. And that, my friend, is an adventure in itself.
