Detroit’s Best Hotels & Areas (A Local’s Guide for 2026)

👉 Jump to: Best Places to Stay in Detroit | Neighborhoods & Areas | Tips | FAQs

As a lifelong Metro Detroiter, I love helping visitors navigate the city. I’ve created this guide to help you decide exactly where to stay in Detroit.

If it’s your first time in Detroit, I highly recommend staying in the heart of Downtown Detroit at Detroit Foundation Hotel. The hotel is modern and well-decorated with spacious rooms and easy access to Hart Plaza and Riverwalk.

That being said, I also love Greektown, and The Atheneum Hotel is a personal favorite and a good choice for first-timers as well. It’s one of the city’s most highly-rated hotels, and is close to tons of incredible restaurants, bars, and convenient public transportation. 

There are, of course, many other options to choose from based on your wants and needs. I’ll walk you through the best areas and provide you with pros and cons. But first, let’s take a look at the best hotels.

Best Places to Stay in Detroit

If you’re short on time, these are my top hotel picks: 

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – Detroit Foundation Hotel
• ✨ My Personal Pick – The Atheneum Hotel
• 📍 Best Location – Detroit Foundation Hotel or Shinola Hotel
• 💎 Best Luxury – Shinola Hotel
• ❤️ Best for Couples – The Inn on Ferry Street
• 👪 Best for Families – DoubleTree Suites by Hilton – Fort Shelby
• 🛎️ Best Boutique – The Detroit Club
• 🍀 Best Near Corktown – The Godfrey Hotel
• 🛏️ Best Budget – Hostel Detroit or The Siren Inn

Ok, now scroll down for a deep dive into the pros (and cons) of each of these 5 neighborhoods of Detroit: 

5 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Detroit

Detroit is made up of more than 50 overlapping areas/neighborhoods. For the purposes of this guide, here are 5 neighborhoods with top-rated hotels and easy access to some of the more popular locations in Detroit and nearby areas.

Downtown Detroit

👉 Best Area For First-Time Visitors | ✨ Best Downtown Detroit Hotels: Detroit Foundation Hotel • Shinola Hotel • DoubleTree Suites by Hilton – Fort Shelby • The Westin Book Cadillac • The Detroit Club

Downtown Detroit is where you want to be, especially if you’re a first-time visitor! Despite being a big city, downtown is very walkable, and if you choose a downtown hotel, you can get to many sites like Riverwalk and Campus Martius Park without having to worry about parking. 

My top hotel pick for this area is the Detroit Foundation Hotel. It’s located on Larned Street, just a couple of blocks off the main drag, and within easy walking distance of Hart Plaza, the Huntington Center, Campus Martius, and many restaurants. As a bonus, the hotel has a family-friendly restaurant inside.

For a more upscale option, book the Shinola Hotel. It’s a historic hotel with modern upgrades and bright, clean rooms. Located right on Woodward Avenue, it has consistently high ratings and is near many Downtown and Midtown attractions.

Pros of Staying in Downtown Detroit:

• Downtown is very walkable
• Easy transportation options
• Huge selection of restaurants and things to do

Cons of Staying in Downtown Detroit:

• Hotels are pricey here
• Events can make transportation (driving or public) crowded and difficult
• Parking can be expensive

Greektown

👉 Best Area For Nightlife | ✨ Best Greektown Hotels: Atheneum Suite Hotel • Greektown Hotel and Casino • Element Detroit at the Metropolitan

Greektown has a lot of energy and a fierce pride for its heritage. It may be a small area, but there is so much to do here that it makes it the ideal area for nightlife.

Visit the Hollywood Greektown Casino, eat at one of many fine dining restaurants, stop at numerous bars and pubs, and, of course, enjoy all the Greek food in the area. Downtown is only a few steps away, and Greektown is close to the Qline and the People Mover.

The Atheneum Suite Hotel is my choice for the best hotel in Greektown. It’s in the heart of the neighborhood and close to many fabulous restaurants.

The Greektown Hotel and Casino is an exciting place to not only play some games, but to see some amazing performances and enjoy fine dining. Stay here if you’d like to have activity and entertainment just steps from your room.

Pros of Staying in Greektown:

• Easy walk to downtown
• Lots of great restaurants and bars
• Busy tourist area

Cons of Staying in Greektown:

• Busy tourist areas, especially during sporting events
• Several hotels are not as family-friendly
• Casino traffic can be busy, especially with tour buses

Corktown

👉 Best Area For Trendy & Youthful Vibes | ✨ Best Corktown Hotels: The Godfrey Hotel • Trumbull 300 • Hostel Detroit

Corktown is the oldest neighborhood in Detroit. It was settled mainly by Irish immigrants, and pays tribute to its heritage all year round, but especially during St. Patrick’s Day with its massive parade.

Corktown is the former home of Tiger Stadium, but now its main attractions are Roosevelt Park and Michigan Central. Corktown has been attracting a younger crowd lately, and the area is full of unique and trendy restaurants, pubs, and boutique shops. 

The Godfrey Hotel is my pick for the best place to stay in Corktown. The location is ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to be right in the middle of the city. Luckily, it’s a quick drive into the city center and in a very walkable area. 

If an apartment is more your style, staying at Trumbull 300 will give you a comfortable base while you explore the area. Located in North Corktown, you’ll have easy access to freeways and all of the major attractions.

Pros of Staying in Corktown:

• Plenty of trendy restaurants and pubs
• Very walkable and friendly
• More affordable than other parts of Detroit

Cons of Staying in Corktown:

• Parking can be tough
• Downtown is further away, so you’ll need a car
• There aren’t as many hotels to choose from

Midtown

👉 Best Area For Museums | ✨ Best Midtown Hotels: AC Hotel Detroit at the Bonstelle • The Inn on Ferry Street • The Siren Hotel

Midtown Detroit has a personality all its own. Overlapping with Wayne State University and the Cultural Center, many college students make Midtown their home. 

Less touristy than Downtown, Midtown is extremely walkable with amenities like laundromats, small grocery stores, and other practical shops. It’s also easily accessible to some of the city’s top museums, like the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

My top pick for the Midtown area, the AC Hotel Detroit at the Bonstelle, is a unique hotel experience. It was first designed as a synagogue, then a theatre, and now it’s a lovely place to stay in Midtown. The hotel is within easy distance of most major city attractions. 

Looking for a quiet getaway for two? The Inn on Ferry Street is the place for you! Located in a neighborhood just a couple of blocks from the museum district, this restored Victorian inn is so comfortable, it’ll make you feel like you live there. 

Pros of Staying in Midtown:

• Easy access to museums
• Bustling area that overlaps with Downtown
• Easy access to the DMC (Detroit Medical Center)

Cons of Staying in Midtown:

• There are fewer hotel choices
• You’ll need a car to get around
• Parking can be expensive

Windsor, Ontario

👉 Best Area For an International Experience | ✨ Best Windsor Hotels: DoubleTree by Hilton Windsor • Holiday Inn Express Windsor Waterfront • Caesar’s Windsor

You’ll need a car and a passport or ReaID to get across the Ambassador Bridge or through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, but it’s so worth it! Stay here if you’re seeking an international experience and want to be able to easily spend time in the USA and Canada.

Many of the hotels in Windsor offer stunning views of the Detroit skyline while allowing you to explore the riverfront in a different country. Play or take in a show at the casino, have lunch in a riverside park, or enjoy one of Windsor’s many breweries. 

DoubleTree by Hilton Windsor is a popular place to stay, and for good reason. It’s a great place for families, complete with an indoor swimming pool. A view of the Detroit skyline or the Ambassador Bridge is a nice bonus.

The Holiday Inn Express Windsor Waterfront is also a great hotel. Not only do they have an indoor pool, but the breakfast at their coffeehouse has great ratings. There’s easy access to the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel from the hotel, too.

Pros of Staying in Windsor:

• Experience staying in a different country
• Very close to Windsor Airport
• Easy access back to Detroit

Cons of Staying in Windsor:

• Not actually in Detroit & there are fees to go across the bridge or tunnel
• You’ll need a car to get around
• Windsor is not as walkable as Detroit neighborhoods

Tips for Staying in Detroit

You Will Need a Car to Get Around

Unlike many major cities, Detroit does not have an extensive public transit system. There is the bus, the Qline, and the People Mover (see below), but if you want to travel out of Downtown and Midtown, you will need a car or have to rely on Uber.

Download the Park Detroit App if You’re Driving 

If you’re not staying in the city, or you need to leave your hotel parking area, this app makes it super easy to pay for street parking. Plus, it’s usually cheaper than parking in a garage or lot.

You Don’t Need Much Cash                        

Most venues and restaurants in Detroit are easily cashless now. If you can tap your card, you should be just fine in most places. 

Leave Your Car at Your Hotel and Take the Qline or People Mover

Most hotels have free parking for patrons, so give the car a break when you can. Both the Qline and People Mover are free of charge and will take you to, or close to, many of Detroit’s major attractions. They don’t run 24 hours a day, though, so check the schedules to ensure you can get back to your hotel.

Understand That Detroit is a Big City

Just like any other big city around the world, there are things that you shouldn’t do. Don’t flash your cash and be aware of your surroundings. Don’t be distracted by your phone out in public. You know, common sense.

Say Nice Things About Detroit

Us Detroiters have had to defend our city from naysayers for decades. Even through difficult times, Detroiters have been strong, working hard to present the positives of the city we love. 

We appreciate it when visitors can see the beauty here. Please tell us what you loved about your visit!

Visit the Surrounding Areas as Well

Take a trip out of the city to experience our rich metropolitan area. The beaches of the Great Lakes aren’t far away. Cross the bridges or the tunnel to explore Canada. 

Take a ride down US-12 (Michigan Avenue) to visit several little towns to the west. Feeling adventurous? Use Detroit as a stopping place on your way to places in Northern Michigan like Mackinac Island or the Upper Peninsula. The Detroit Metro area is full of experiences.  

FAQs about Detroit

How many days is enough for Detroit?

Although you could easily spend a week or more visiting Detroit, three days is a nice chunk of time to get to know the city for a first visit.

What areas of Detroit should I avoid staying in? 

Like any big city across the globe, there are parts of the city that are safer than others. A good rule of thumb is that the closer you are to the Downtown and Midtown areas, the safer it is. As with any big city, use your common sense and be aware of your surroundings.

Where are the best parts of Detroit to stay on a budget?

Two budget-friendly places to stay in Detroit are Hostel Detroit in Corktown and The Siren Inn in Midtown. However, there are also hotels just out of the city in the neighboring suburbs that are more budget-friendly. Try looking at hotels in Dearborn, Allen Park, Warren, or Southfield for some options that are only 15-20 minutes from the city center.

What are some inexpensive things to do in Detroit?

Detroit parks, the Qline, and the People Mover are all free. Several museums and venues have student and senior discounts. There are many festivals throughout the year that are free to attend.

What’s the best way to get to Detroit?

Detroit is accessible from several freeways: I-94, I-75, and I96 being the fastest. Detroit Metropolitan Airport is about 20 from the city center via I-94. Amtrak and Greyhound also have stations Downtown. The most practical way to get around is by car.

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Detroit has been an underestimated city for decades, but the last several years have seen a rise in tourism, and for good reasons. I hope this has helped you figure out where to stay in Detroit so you can see the city’s revitalization for yourself! Feel free to leave me a comment with any questions you have.

Up next, check out my guide to the best things to do in Detroit to keep planning your trip.