Hotel David Whitney
Upscale neo-classical grandeur meets warm residential comfort. Dark wood, Persian rugs, soft teals and warm reds throughout — it reads more urban manor than corporate hotel. The nightly live piano in the Library Bar is not a gimmick.
Request a room overlooking Grand Circus Park or with a Comerica Park view — the stadium sightlines are a genuine highlight.
Why It Matters
One of only three surviving Detroit buildings by the legendary Daniel H. Burnham & Co., the David Whitney spent decades as home to hundreds of physicians and luxury shops before sitting vacant for years. The $110M+ total invested in its restoration shows in every detail — from the mahogany-paneled check-in lobby to the Persian rugs underfoot. TripAdvisor currently ranks it #1 of 40 hotels in Detroit.
The Hotel David Whitney sits in the heart of Detroit's Grand Circus Park historic district, occupying an 18-story Beaux Arts tower designed by Daniel H. Burnham & Co. and originally opened in 1915. After a complete $90M hotel conversion in 2014 and a further $20M renovation in 2024, the building graduated from the Aloft brand into Marriott's Autograph Collection. The lobby's four-story terra cotta atrium — topped with an original glass skylight — has already won a Detroit Design Award, and it earns every bit of it.
Where You'll Stay
4 room types available
Corner King Guest Room
The best of the standard room configurations. Corner placement means windows on two sides and more natural light than anything else in the standard category. Spacious and bright, with the same art deco furnishings and all the standard room amenities. City views from multiple angles.
King
King Guest Room
The entry-level room punches well above its size. Nine-foot ceilings and tall windows open things up considerably, and you can choose between a city view (Comerica Park or Detroit Opera House sightlines) or an atrium-facing room — both are worth requesting. Art deco details, elegant furnishings, retro black-and-white tiled bathroom with black marble vanity. The in-room bar cart stocked with Detroit Distillery cocktails is a genuinely nice touch.
King · 29 sqmQueen Double Guest Room
Two queen beds with the same elevated finish as the King rooms — 9-foot ceilings, art deco touches, retro-styled bathrooms. Views look out over the city, with some rooms offering Ford Field and downtown sightlines. Good option for groups or families who don't want to compromise on the hotel's aesthetic.
Two QueensSuite
Separate sitting parlor, kitchenette, and city or atrium views. Guests consistently rave about suite views of Comerica Park and Woodward Avenue. The extra space earns its price — this is a genuinely comfortable place to spend a weekend, not just a larger version of the standard room. Black marble vanity bathrooms with walk-in shower.
KingThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
24-hour concierge available at the front desk. Can arrange itineraries for Detroit's best restaurants and museums, secure show and sports tickets, and recommend neighborhood-specific outings. Particularly useful for first-time visitors to Detroit.
Both the Q-Line and Detroit People Mover stop directly outside the hotel, giving car-free access to Little Caesars Arena, Greektown, the Woodward Avenue Corridor, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Contemporary Art Museum.
Live piano performances most evenings at The Library Bar. One of the most-praised elements of the hotel by guests — the combination of the grand piano, fireplace, and bookshelf-lined walls makes for a genuinely atmospheric evening in.
The Garden on Washington Boulevard — a street-level outdoor space off The Library Bar. Open spring through fall for al fresco drinks with a front-row view of downtown Detroit. Good for pre-theater drinks or a post-dinner nightcap.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
On-site business center available for guests.
In-room and lobby Wi-Fi. Complimentary for Marriott Bonvoy members who book direct; free in public areas for all guests.
No electric vehicle charging stations on property.
Complimentary fitness center open around the clock on the first level. Equipped with treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, stair climbers, free weights, and strength machines. Described by the hotel as outfitted like a luxury private gym.
Same-day dry cleaning and on-site laundry available.
Multiple curated event salons including the Grace Whitney Salon and the David H. Burnham Salon, plus a second-floor Gallery overlooking the atrium. Styled with art-filled rooms and bespoke furnishings — works equally well for corporate meetings and private celebrations.
Valet parking available at $52 per day. The hotel garage cannot accommodate vehicles over 6 feet tall. No self-parking option on-site.
Dogs welcome (only dogs — no cats). Maximum weight 40 lbs; one dog per room. Grand Circus Park directly outside the entrance serves as an off-leash play area, as does the smaller fenced Capital Park on State Street.
No on-site pool. The hotel has a reported arrangement with a local YMCA for pool and track access in winter months.
On-site gift shop and convenience store for essentials.
Mobile key access via the Marriott Bonvoy app.
BUILD YOUR HOTEL DAVID WHITNEY, AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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