Arriving in Detroit at the same time people are heading to a Detroit Tigers home game is not particularly well-timed. But, the ease of parking at the Greektown Casino Hotel‘s parking garage made me think, “Not bad at all.” I loosened my grip on the wheel saying good-bye to white-knuckle driving and hello to the treat of a corner room in one of Detroit’s success stories.
The 400 guestroom Greektown Casino Hotel rises 30-stories upward in a gleaming pattern of windows in Detroit’s skyline. The effect is a stunning mix of old with new in one of Detroit’s first neighborhoods. Dating back to the 1830s, the area was first settled by Germans. Greeks arrived in 1880, and by 1895 began to transform this slice of the city into a busy place of Greek owned bakeries and restaurants with apartments above their businesses. The old-world charm of Victorian era buildings still remain in the few blocks outside the hotel and casino which make for an interesting contrast of textures and shapes. Fortunately, the cultural and historic significance of Greektown was realized in the mid-1960s before urban development razed what remained after the Greek Orthodox church was already demolished.
Built in 2009, the Greektown Casino Hotel has been part of the vibrant comeback of the neighborhood. Its two buildings-the hotel and the casino combo, are joined by glass walkways that provide a view of the streets below between hotel restfulness and casino glitz..
Inside the hotel, where I spent most of the time when I wasn’t out and about enjoying Detroit’s many offerings, guests are treated to friendly, helpful staff and modern comfort. The lobby, reception area impresses with its atrium and staircase that incorporate glass, marble, and drapes into a motif of Greece inspired design.
My king bed corner room with floor to ceiling views high above Detroit’s city scene was a splendid mix of contemporary and comfortable where the night time version seemed like a city of stars where twinkling lights stretched in every direction. In the day, the mix of old and new architecture of downtown Detroit is particularly noticeable. Although my room didn’t include the Jacuzzi of Katie’s suite, the bathroom did have quite the view, and the aesthetics of the bathroom fixtures and features which included a large walk-in shower felt luxurious just the same.
The warm golden tones of the walls and the bed’s wood frame with its expansive headboard and bedside table are more homey than corporate. An armchair, office chair and round table desk are prominent room features, as is the 42-inch plasma TV.
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Although I didn’t eat in Prism, Greek Casino Hotel’s fine dining restaurant that was voted Best Steak House and Best Happy Hour by Detroit Magazine, and awarded the 2017 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for its extensive wine list of 90 varieties and perfect food pairings, I did have a marvelous brunch at the hotel’s Bistro 555.
Voted Best Breakfast Buffet, the selection here is tasty and abundant, The dishes that lean towards classic American cuisine are frequently replenished to ensure freshness. This is a brunch you may want to linger over to make room for more. For those in a hurry, Market District Express offers sandwiches, soups and salads.
Brunch lusciousness at Bistro 555
To work off the great food within the hotel, head to the hotel’s large fitness center with its excellent views of Greektown. As for the casino, I only walked through it once on my way to a meeting. Even at 9 am folks were pulling the levers of one-armed bandits hoping for the best. It’s possible to stay at the hotel and not interact with the gambling side of the business except for the elevator that has access to the parking garage shared between the two sides.
Walkway from hotel to casino in a blend of old and new
In addition to the king bed corner room I enjoyed, and Katie’s corner suite which found her inviting friends over for the view, Greektown Casino Hotel also has deluxe rooms with two queen beds. Rates range from $189 to $390. By booking direct from the hotel’s website or by calling 877-424-5554, two breakfast buffets at Bistro 555 are included. Free wi-fi and complimentary valet parking are also included. You can also compare rates and book through sites such as Hotels.com and Booking.com among others.
Greektown Casino Hotel is at 555 Lafayette Ave. right off I-375. It’s also a People Mover Station making many spots in downtown Detroit easily accessible. In addition, there’s walking. I walked from the hotel to Comerica Park to meet up with folks at a Detroit Tiger’s game then walked back afterwards.
Post and photos courtesy of Jamie Rhein. My stay was courtesy of Detroit Metro Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, but my views are my own.
