Off The Beaten Path Places To Stay
So you're spending the night in Detroit but you don't want a fancy pants hotel. You maybe want something cheaper, more social, or more unique. Well here's a list of alternative options and a few crazy ideas for the brave. Have fun and be safe! Know about more such places to stay? Message me at jerryp@gmail.com.
The Packard Motel
This is one of the wildest looking places to stay that I've seen in Detroit. Why? Because it's a tiny, quaint looking old-fashioned motel directly (and I mean directly) facing the ruins of the Packard Plant (the largest industrial ruin in North America). I've always been curious about what happens here. If you're feeling adventurous, check it out and please report back. It has only one Yelp review, but it's generally positive: http://www.yelp.com/biz/packard-motel-detroit photo by Gordon Dean:
5.5 mi from The Packard Motel to Hostel Detroit
Turn right at the 1st cross street onto E Grand Blvd (0.3 mi)
Turn right onto Mt Elliott St (0.2 mi)
Turn left onto Harper Ave (0.3 mi)
Take the ramp on the left onto I-94 W (2.1 mi)
Take exit 215A on the left to merge onto M-10 S toward Downtown (1.7 mi)
Take exit 2A toward Toledo (0.2 mi)
Keep right, follow signs for Trumbull Ave and merge onto W Fisher Service Dr/Inter State 75 Srv Rd (0.4 mi)
Turn right onto 12th St/Rosa Parks Blvd (0.1 mi)
Turn left onto Spruce St (341 ft)
Turn right at the 1st cross street onto Vermont St
Hostel Detroit
Detroit's finest and only hostel. There are very cool people running and staying here, and it's in an interesting centrally located urban rural neighborhood. http://www.yelp.com/biz/hostel-detroit-detroit
2.9 mi from Hostel Detroit to The Inn On Ferry Street
Turn right at the 1st cross street onto Temple St (0.6 mi)
Turn left onto John C Lodge Service Dr (285 ft)
Take the ramp on the left onto M-10 N (1.1 mi)
Take exit 4A to merge onto I-94 E toward Port Huron (0.6 mi)
Take exit 215C for John R St toward M-1/Woodward Ave (0.2 mi)
Turn right onto John R St (0.2 mi)
Turn right onto E Ferry St (387 ft)
The Inn On Ferry Street
From http://innonferrystreet.com: "Located in the East Ferry Street Historic District of Midtown Detroit, The Inn On Ferry Street sets the standard for elegant guest quarters and dedicated service. Just steps from the state's finest museums, acclaimed Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University, the Inn is a relaxing change of pace from the standard business hotel. Four restored Victorian homes and two carriage houses abound in sophisticated luxury. The Inn evokes a strong sense of history that provides the perfect atmosphere for weddings, receptions and other social events. Whether you visit for a weekend, conduct a business meeting, or rent an entire house for a special occasion The Inn On Ferry Street is aptly accommodating. Don't forget to take our complimentary shuttle to theatres, stadiums, and all downtown restaurants located a mere 1.5 miles from the Inn."
3.8 mi from The Inn On Ferry Street to [Airbnb] The Bumblebee House – Blue Room
Turn left onto Brush St (0.2 mi)
Turn left onto E Edsel Ford Service Dr (0.2 mi)
Turn left to merge onto I-94 W (0.4 mi)
Take exit 215A on the left to merge onto M-10 S toward Downtown (2.0 mi)
Take exit 2B on the left for Bagley Ave (0.4 mi)
Continue onto Bagley Ave (203 ft)
Turn right onto 3rd Ave (230 ft)
Turn right at the 1st cross street onto Michigan Ave (0.2 mi)
Turn left onto Sixth St (174 ft)
Turn right onto Bagley Ave (404 ft)
[Airbnb] The Bumblebee House – Blue Room
Located in the Corktown neighborhood just west of downtown, this is one of the finest places to stay in Detroit, with incredibly friendly hosts, via Airbnb: http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/92858
2.8 mi from [Airbnb] The Bumblebee House – Blue Room to [Airbnb] Loft/Art space in Eastern Market
Turn left onto Michigan Ave (0.4 mi)
Turn right onto Rosa Parks Blvd (0.1 mi)
Turn right onto W Fisher Service Dr (197 ft)
Take the Interstate 75 N ramp on the left (0.3 mi)
Merge onto I-75 N (1.0 mi)
Keep left to continue on Fisher Fwy (0.7 mi)
Sharp right onto Gratiot Ave (0.2 mi)
Make a U-turn at Russell St
[Airbnb] Loft/Art space in Eastern Market
Another Airbnb hit right next to Eastern Market: http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/72119
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3.2 mi from [Airbnb] Loft/Art space in Eastern Market to Honor & Folly
Turn right onto St Aubin St (243 ft)
Turn right onto E Vernor Hwy (223 ft)
Turn left onto Gratiot Ave (0.2 mi)
Slight right onto Fisher Fwy (0.9 mi)
Continue onto I-75 S/Fisher Fwy (0.3 mi)
Keep left to stay on I-75 S (0.7 mi)
Take exit 49A toward Rosa Parks Blvd (0.2 mi)
Merge onto Fisher W/W Fisher Service Dr/Inter State 75 Srv Rd (0.3 mi)
Turn left onto 14th St (0.1 mi)
Honor & Folly
From http://honorandfolly.com: "A small-scale, design-focused Detroit inn, Honor & Folly is reminiscent of the way folks used to travel: a few beds above the village pub or restaurant with a hearty breakfast. You'll be immersed in the oldest neighborhood of Detroit - smack in the middle of one of the most thriving blocks in the city. You'll sit next to locals at the bar downstairs—or the coffee shop—and learn about the city from people who live here. Detroiters are a pretty friendly lot. There's plenty to absorb inside, too. Decorated with Detroit and Midwest-made goods (much of which is also for sale), the space tells a story about the designers, artists and artisans who helped bring it to life."
