Bottom Line
Greektown Casino’s new hotel tower is the last to open of the casino-hotel complexes in the downtown Detroit and Windsor area. As the latecomer, its suitably luxurious rooms and 300-thread count sheets now seem common place and expected. So what is distinctive about the new hotel?
Location, Location, Location
The new hotel tower’s location provides guests with a long list of attractions within walking distance, including the Greektown neighborhood itself. It is also within walking distance and/or People-Mover stops of some of downtown Detroit’s best restaurants, Comerica Park, Ford Field and the theater district. As might be expected, the location affords guests some of the best views in the city, including views of the Detroit River, the Renaissance Center and an aerial-view into Comerica Park.
Theme
The theme of the casino-hotel complex is understandably and expectedly Greek, but the architecture and décor of the hotel tower is anything but traditional. For instance, the lobby has several Greek elements, but they are re-envisioned as sleek and stylish, including three-story-high, fiberglass-and-concrete drapes; gold-leaf accents; marble floors; and an enormous, glass-blown chandelier designed by a local artist to resemble a torch flame. The chandelier hangs over the seating area of the lobby, which is done in gold and purple crushed velvets. A modern, grand staircase and a fireplace-lined balcony frame the reception desk and lead to Bistro 555, which is also accessible off the 3rd-floor walkway to the casino.
The hotel tower itself is done in luminescent blue glass and is oriented so its rooms have views facing east and west. The rooms facing west have the best views as they look along Monroe Street. While the rooms that face east look out over the hotel’s adjacent parking garage, there is an unobstructed view to the river and Rivard Plaza. Initially 150 rooms are available with the rest of the 400 set to open within the month.
Hotel Rooms
The rooms are done in warm orange, green and red tones. They are suitably luxurious with multiple pillows, down comforters and “sleep easy” beds. Courtesy robes and slippers are also provided. Compared to the other casino-hotels in the area, the sleeping area and bathroom dimensions seem relatively small, but much is made of the space. A cut out between the sleeping area and the vanity visually enlarges the space and an Asian-inspired sliding door provides a distinctive touch that separates the commode from the vanity. Each room has a 42-inch, plasma flat-screen TV and an oval-shaped desk -- an interesting design element that conserves space.
There are also 29 suites in the top levels of the tower. Notable features in the penthouse suite include bubble tubs and glass showers that look able to accommodate a party of six.
New Restaurants and Lounges
Casual and contemporary, Bistro 555 is located above the lobby at the top of its grand staircase and accented with swirling gold-bead curtains. Its décor is eclectic and centered around five over-sized lamps. Again, the booths and chairs are done in purples and golds. The cuisine includes steak and seafood, as well as Thai and Mexican dishes.
Also within the hew hotel tower is Shades Lounge. It is located off the lobby and utilizes go-go dancers as servers.
Meeting/Convention Rooms
Greektown Casino Hotel’s unique view is utilized as the main element of decoration in its 10,000 square feet of meeting rooms. Several salons face west up Monroe Street, the main drag in the Greektown neighborhood. Views from the meeting rooms include the Renaissance Center and the Detroit River to the south and Comerica Park and Ford Field to the north. Because the meeting rooms are situated on a lower level of the tower, however, the buildings in the area make up part of the view, including the Wayne County Jail that sits to the northwest of the hotel. The jail's narrow windows and stone façade, however, provide little in the way of a distraction for meeting participants.
Spa/Fitness Room:
There is currently no spa, but the hotel has a fitness room available with floor-to-ceiling windows.
