Shinola Hotel
Hotel · Downtown ·
Boutique hotel with artisanal watches, leather goods, and bikes.
Information
1400 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226 Get directions
Boutique hotel with artisanal watches, leather goods, and bikes.
1400 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226 Get directions
"Lauded as a game-changing property from a major local developer, this flagship hotel is frequently cited alongside other adaptive-reuse projects that are helping reshape downtown urban life, contributing boutique hospitality, retail, and dining offerings that fit into the city's broader narrative of reinvention; as the mayor observed, "It really is a magical time in Detroit right now, and we hope people will come to check it out for themselves," said Mayor Mike Duggan." - Travel + Leisure Editors Travel + Leisure Editors Since 1971, Travel + Leisure editors have followed one mission: to inform, inspire, and guide travelers to have deeper, more meaningful experiences. T+L's editors have traveled to countries all over the world, having flown, sailed, road tripped, and taken the train countless miles. They've visited small towns and big cities, hidden gems and popular destinations, beaches and mountains, and everything in between. With a breadth of knowledge about destinations around the globe, air travel, cruises, hotels, food and drinks, outdoor adventure, and more, they are able to take their real-world experience and provide readers with tried-and-tested trip ideas, in-depth intel, and inspiration at every point of a journey. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"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
"With a craftsmanship-forward aesthetic tied to its watch-company origins, the property has seen guests remove branded in-room accessories—such as turntables—prompting boutique sales of popular items to satisfy demand and deter theft." - Nora Zelevansky
"This boutique hotel is represented in the Detroit Bakers Box by a pastry contributor who offered a summer peach linzer cookie, participating in a curated tasting collection that highlights 18 emerging and established AAPI bakers and supports local nonprofit work." - Serena Maria Daniels
"The Shinola Hotel, located in the landmarked 1500 Woodward building in downtown Detroit, is the first hospitality project from the brand Shinola. It features a design-focused interior with a lounge and various amenities, representing a significant investment in the city's redevelopment."
