Top 5 Hotels in Detroit for Dog Loving Sports Travelers

Detroit is one of my favorite cities in the country and my favorite city in Michigan. Why? Well, I'm a native Michigander, born and raised in Michigan, a lover of professional sports, culture, the arts, and historic buildings. Detroit has all that, and I grew up watching the Lions and the Tigers with my mom and grandma, so I'm a definite fan. But one of the main reasons I love Detroit is because of the grit and tenacity of this city which is why I am sharing my Top 5 Hotels in Downtown Detroit for Dog Loving Sports Travelers to stay.

The reflection of the amazing tenacity Detroit has to survive and rise above is not only seen in the resurgence of the city but in the restoration and caretaking of the historical buildings. The homes we live in, museums we visit, stadiums where we cheer on our teams and watch concerts, and hotels we stay at all have a story to tell. Atmosphere is the first thing I look for when booking my stays, and if I'm traveling with my dog and other family members, how will this hotel best suit us?

I've been traveling in and out of the Metro Detroit Airport since 1998, before 9/11, before there were two terminals, and in between all the construction and times of COVID. The same is true for my visits to major sporting events, shows, and conferences in the heart of the city. I've been attending Pistons games since watching them in the playoffs, courtside, at the Palace of Auburn Hills. I've been attending Lions games since their days at the Pontiac Silverdome, and I still have fond memories of that concrete dome where I watched Barry Sanders juke everyone out and Metallica blow the roof off. While I may have only been to a few Tigers games at their former stadium, I've been to several at Comerica Park.

My frequent visits to downtown Detroit haven't only been about sports; they've also been about the arts, shows, and conferences. From Stevie Nicks at the Fox Theater, to Schitt's Creek Live at the Masonic Temple, to conferences at the Renaissance Center and spending weekend anniversaries in Detroit, we've become part of the heart of this city. Having also formerly worked in TV sports, and with my husband still doing so, we frequently find ourselves in the "D" (as locals would say). Being frequent flyers and traveling for work, Detroit Metro Airport is our main hub.

Because of what draws us to the city, we often stay in Detroit or near the airport, and we have stayed at various hotels for sporting events or shows and to catch an early morning flight. My almost 30 years of frequenting the city have produced a list of favorite places to stay, including overnights with our furry family pet when he is with us.

Hotel David Whitney

Atmosphere: Much like The Element at Metropolitan, Hotel David Whitney has a story of survival and revival as one of the city's architectural gems. Opened in 1915, ten years before The Metropolitan, the Whitney was closed in 2000 and sold for a mere $3.3 million. In 1992, the building saw a $92 million renovation, and in 2020, the hotel saw a $20 million investment to rebrand the hotel reminiscent of its original style, becoming one of Marriott's Autograph Collection Hotels. Reviews applaud the efforts revitalizing the rooms reminiscent of the original era, and I couldn't agree more.

Rooms: You will not find any room less than 316 sq. ft. and unique niches with ornate floors set these rooms apart. The hallways are wider than pathways I've been on.
Restaurants/Food: We ordered meatballs and shrimp to take back to the room and eat as we find this easier when with a pet. We could have eaten in the lobby but we wanted to feed him in the room, letting him off his leash at the same time we ate. Yes to the meatball dish!
Location: Hotel David Whitney is in downtown Detroit near the Grand Circus Park and a great walkable location to all the major venues, restaurants, and bars. Bonus here is a free roaming dog park for your dog to run. Our dog loved playing with other dogs here.
Pet Friendliness: Allows one dog per room, no fee.
Parking: $48 Valet daily fee.

PRO TIP: The dog park is across the street in between this hotel and Comerica Park and Ford Field making it the perfect location when traveling with pets. There is a pet store around the corner if you forgot anything.

The Henry
Atmosphere: This is one of my all-time favorite hotels, and I've been to hundreds of hotels. This is our preferred location any time we're staying in Detroit as a couple. While The Henry is in Dearborn, the easy 20-minute commute to downtown Detroit, free parking, and phenomenal atmosphere with art galore and large, spacious rooms reign supreme. We have stayed here several times over. This is a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel, which is one of my preferred brands of hotels due to each one being unique in a boutique, artsy sort of way. Most of the rooms I've stayed in have offered an incomparable style and inviting, cozy, niche rooms I don't want to leave. The Henry and its vast, renowned art collection is an example of this style at its best. You won't find the kitschy sort of design like the Grand Bohemian in Orlando and Charlotte, but you will be amazed at what's on display. Need something to do? Grab a drink at the bar and roam the halls admiring the art and taking in the atmosphere.

Rooms: At almost 400 sq. ft. with picturesque windows (many with a view of downtown Detroit), you'll be loving the roominess, light airiness, and modern luxury feel.
Restaurants/Coffee: A stay here should include a cocktail in hand from the hotel bar, roaming the halls gazing at the massive art collection (pictured above). There's a plethora of restaurants to choose from along Michigan ave. but our tried and true favorite is Baba's Grill, a locally owned Lebanese Restaurant. If visiting for car history and want to keep the motor car nostalgia going, try Ford's Garage. You won't be disappointed.
Location: The Henry is an easy access off and on the highway, a mere 2 miles from the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village and a short commute to downtown Detroit.
Pet Friendliness: Dogs only, non-refundable $75 fee. They love dogs and even encourage photos of pets tagging them on insta. Up to 2 pets are allowed.
Parking: Free self parking .
The Element Detroit at Metropolitan
Atmosphere:
While the rooms somewhat remind me of an Aloft in that bland walls, minimalist sort of way, the rooms are spacious with a more comfortable feel to them, and the 100-year historic architecture of the building, with its wrought iron details and marble floors, draws me in to making that reservation. This wedge-shaped neo-gothic style building opened in May 1925. The drawn-out court proceedings battling over records for this building, ownership, and the survival and revival of the Metropolitan are the epitome of Detroit tenacity and grit. Staying here is being part of the revival of Detroit and overcoming all odds. Read about its incredible history of survival on historicdetroit.org and why it's one of Detroit's architectural gems.

Rooms: The smallest room size is 250 sq. ft. Most rooms are over 300 sq. ft. The studios are equipped with a kitchen. I've found ample room, well designed layouts, good use of space, and quiet rooms.
Restaurants/Food: This hotel has the best 360 degree view of the city from it's rooftop bar, The Monarch. Have a cocktail in the evening watching the sunset (pictured above) while your pup sleeps safely in your room. In the morning, head directly down the street with your pup for an espresso flight at Madcap Coffee practically right outside your door.
Location: The Element hotel is in downtown Detroit and a great walkable location to all the major venues, restaurants, and bars.
Pet Friendliness: Allows one pet per room, no fee.
Parking: $48 Valet daily fee.
Detroit Foundation Hotel
Atmosphere: There is not one time I've gone to Detroit and not wanted to add a visit to the Foundation Hotel and the Apparatus Room. When people ask me to have brunch or breakfast, my immediate response is the Apparatus Room. Why? This historic building housed the first fire station in Detroit and pays special tribute through its many touches to what was. The mere thought of approaching the building for my culinary and overnight stay experience with its massive red bay doors brings a smile across my face. A $28 million makeover completed in 2017 led designers to mix soft Edison-style lighting with a welcoming leather-seated area where the bays once stood, with the original glazed brick tiles interweaving nods to the original Detroit Fire Department Headquarters. I bought the book "Detroit: Engine of America" by R.J. King while here (pictured above), which was a stellar find to read about the history of Detroit.

Rooms: Ranked #5 in Condé Nast Traveler Magazine Readers' Choice Awards for Best Midwest Hotels in 2022.
Restaurants/Food: The Apparatus Room is a wide open space, well designed with a bar in the middle and high ceilings. From avocado toast to belgium waffles with pure maple syrup and fruit, each bite should be enjoyed while sipping coffee and reminiscing about how far Detroit has come. A solo trip here with a book in a booth is my ideal way to spend time. Mickeyganders will love the Disneyland Hamtramick brunch cocktail.
Location: The Detroit Foundation Hotel is a little further out from the action but is a good viable option to all the major venues, restaurants, bars, and the riverwalk.
Pet Friendly: The Detroit Foundation Hotel is a highly pet-friendly hotel. They have a whole page dedicated to how much they love furry family members. The pet fee is $75, and rooms are equipped with a doggie bed, food, and water bowls. Dog treats are even made on the property by the chef! Bon Appétit!
Parking: Overnight parking is $45 per vehicle.
Westin Book Cadillac
Atmosphere: The Westin Book Cadillac turned 100 years old in 2023 and saw a $20 million dollar renovation. The rooms are bright, spacious, and airy. The first floor houses a museum open to the public daily.
Restaurants/Food: Steakhouse at night and Starbucks Reserve in the morning? Don't mind if I do. Keep it simple. Keep it easy. Keep it classic.
Location: The Westin Book Cadillac is in downtown Detroit and a great walkable location to all the major venues, restaurants, and bars.
Pet Friendly: Upon request, they are happy to provide the Westin Heavenly Dog Bed and food bowls with an accompanying mat, as well as a pet welcome kit filled with items to keep your best friend happy. What more can you say to that?! Pet fee is $50 per day, $150 maximum.
Parking: Valet parking is $45 daily. Off site parking is $35 daily.