Shinola Hotel

"Set the scene. The first hotel from Detroit-based Shinola gives a great initial impression with a fibre installation that looks like wallpaper in the lobby. Woven panels by local artist Margo Wolowiec feature pictorial snippets, dyed into the weft, from Detroit’s storied past and present: the Kern's clock, graffiti, Martin Luther King’s raised hand during his freedom march in 1963. What's the story?This flawless Shinola extension (Shinola, in case the name seems familiar, was originally a boot-polish brand but has now been reinvented as a watch and leather-goods label) marries together two historic buildings on Woodward Avenue: a brick-fronted former department store and the old Singer sewing-machine factory. Designed by New York's Gachot Studios, interiors strike a balance between elegant and playful with jewel-toned velvet sofas, marble surfaces, and art, curated by Detroit’s Library Street Collective, adorning almost every square inch of wall. The design is impeccable, from the hand-painted gold-leaf ceiling in the Evening Bar to the tiles on the ballroom ceiling made from moulds of the original terracotta ones on the building’s façade. What can we expect in our room?A palatial space with mid-century modern furniture, loft-style windows, and quietly impressive details—custom-made wallpaper lined wardrobes, Frette linens on the bed, faucet handles that match Shinola watch backs—that let the architecture shine. Runwell desk clocks, striped alpaca throws, and turntables are all made by Shinola (of course) and can be bought from the shop downstairs. When the shades go down and the blackout drapes close, all city noise is completely shut out. How about the food and drink?Heavyweight chef Andrew Carmellini (of Locanda Verde and The Dutch fame, both in New York) heads up the southern-Italy inspired restaurant San Morello. The space is a playful riot of mismatched patterned wall tiles and white linen covering the bottom half of the windows that’s reminiscent of a traditional trattoria. The menu is simple but interesting enough to lure local foodies: wood fired pizzas, homemade pasta and an antipasti feast featuring butter bean dip topped with wild mushrooms, creamy burrata on a bed of broccoli pesto, roasted beets with candied walnuts, and a charred cabbage salad. Anything to say about the service?Seamless, friendly, and meticulous without being overbearing. Upbeat staff, wearing perfectly co-ordinating outfits, anticipate needs in a synchronized Wes Anderson-like way. Who comes here? Old-timers and younger cool kids. A complete mix of locals and international guests, much like the vibe of the city itself. What’s the neighborhood scene like?Shinola is in the historic downtown district of Woodward, a block away from Campus Martius Park. Rather than fitting in to a scene, it’s creating its own. The casual Living Room is designed as a local hang-out for day and night; the sultry Evening Bar is the spot for cocktails. Anything else we should know? There is not one but 15 help-yourself libraries, brimming with architecture, design, and Detroit-related books. And 22 working fireplaces, all added during the renovation. Nab a seat in front of the one in the Living Room—it’s the best spot in the house. Other special touches include electronic key fobs attached to old-school Shinola-made leather key rings, rental bikes, and discovering chilled Vernors ginger ale in the mini-bar. Is it worth it—and why?This is an impressive, thoughtful renovation (and reasonably priced) at a time when the city—the original Motor City, birthplace of the Motown sound—is making a real comeback as a travel destination." - Meghan McEwen