HotelChatter

MGM Grand Detroit / Detroit Hotel Reviews / Hotel Openings / → All Tags

The First Review of the MGM Grand Detroit Isn't So Grand

Where: 1777 South Third St [map], Detroit, MI, United States, 48226

The MGM Grand Detroit opened up last Tuesday but the christening party hosted by Kid Rock and Wolfgang Puck did not bless this hotel well, according to a recent guest.

HotelChatter tipster Pat stayed at the hotel the other night and was disappointed from start to finish. From the excess charges to use the gym or pool to the fire alarm going off in the middle of the night, it's safe to say Pat won't be going back.

Let's hope MGM can fix these sorts of problems fast and maybe this will be a lesson for their new Atlantic City property too.

After the jump, the full review.

more ›

Hotel Openings / Hotel Parties / Celebrity Scoop / Kid Rock / Wolfgang Puck / → All Tags

Kid Rock and Wolfgang Puck Hug it Out at MGM Grand Detroit Opening Party

Where: 1777 South Third S [map], Detroit, MI, United States, 48226

In case you were wondering what Kid Rock and Wolfgang Puck were doing last night, they were attending the opening festivities of the brand new MGM Grand Detroit Hotel and Casino.

The opening was celebrated with a VIP black-tie affair attended by Grammy-nominee Kid Rock and Grammy-Award -winners Ashanti and Anita Baker, along with celebrity chefs Wolfgang Puck and Michael Mina and many other Detroit dignitaries.

The official opening of the doors was commemorated with a visually stunning celebratory moment that lit up the neighborhood and the skyline.

As the property's spectacular Grand Garden was illuminated for the first time, fireworks signaled a new era for downtown Detroit with matchless amenities and accommodations never before available in the Midwest.

Kid Rock seems to be a hotel opening party regular. Let's just hope that he didn't throw down with any fans (or Tommy Lee for that matter.)

Related Stories:
· MGM Grand Detroit, $800-million luxury hotel and entertainment destination, opens in downtown Detroit [PR Newswire]
· More Hotel Opening News:: Gansevoort South, The Plaza, and MGM Grand Detroit [HotelChatter]

Hotel News / → All Tags

Detroit's Hotel Pontchartrain To Be Sold At Auction

Where: Two Washington Blvd. [map], Detroit, MI, United States, 48226

Got five mill under your mattress and looking to pick up a hotel?  Hotel Pontchartrain will be on the auction block soon.  

The hotel is in desperate need of a renovation, however, with the Super Bowl coming to Detroit, maybe the right hotelier can put a nice spit shine on this place.

A recent Pontch visitor had this to say about his stay:

Dirty carpets, lamps without light bulbs, wallpaper peeling from the walls. After taking a shower, I felt dirtier than before because the bathroom floor was so filthy. According to Expedia, this was a 3-star hotel. I would rather have stayed at a Motel 6.

Hey, no one said this hotel business was easy.

Related Stories:
·   Detroit's Hotel Pontchartrain to be auctioned [Interest Alert]

Hotels / → All Tags

Atheneum Suites: Motown... Greekstyle?

Where: 1000 Brush Avenue [map], Detroit, MI, United States, 48226

When a Detroit local tipped me off to the Atheneum Hotel I was hoping for a little sophistication in the "plain oatmeal" Hotel Market that is Detroit. This hotel is billed as the only 4 star AAA rated hotel in Detroit. What I found was mixed, huge suites with luxurious bathrooms, overlooking a casino and strip club.

I travel frequently to Detroit for business. I usually stay in the Marriot dowtown but a collegue recomended the Atheneum Suites which are just a few minutes away. I reserved a room at $140 which seemed to be a decent deal on a crowded week in Detroit. While this hotel is rated 4 stars it definitely had it's problems. Excuse the dated analogy here, but I almost felt like I arrived in the alternate reality from "Back to the Future" where Biff runs the town from a Casino. Here is the good, bad and ugly.

more ›