Jason F.
Yelp
Looking for an exceptional hotel to stay at while visiting the Motor City? Then look no further than The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, which proves good things happen to those who wait for it, in this case the city of Detroit and its burgeoning hotel and tourism population. I came to stay at The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit when I attended a convention that was held throughout the many ballrooms and meeting places on the first, second and third floors during the month of May of this year. What stood out first and foremost was the great attention to detail the hotel staff and management managed to display during our weeklong stay here. Everything from our food and snacks during meal breaks to our overall lodging and how it was all handled was first rate. Of course little did I know how much history was involved during our stay at The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, as pertinent information wasn't shared until the third full day if our stay at the hotel and many of the conventioneers were able to attend a walking tour of downtown Detroit, and as we began our tour our guides had us look back at our hotel and told us about this extraordinary historical building.
The hotel was originally founded as the Book-Cadillac Hotel by the Book brothers, who were real estate entrepreneurs and one of Detroit's wealthiest families. Taking over the Cadillac Hotel which previously stood on the property, the Books redesigned their new thirty-one story hotel in the Neo-Renaissance style, was the tallest in the city of Detroit and the tallest hotel in the world when it opened in 1924. After numerous ownership and name changes throughout the years, the hotel actually shuttered in the mid-eighties with the thought that they'd turn the building into a hotel and office complex. Issues with both funding for the remodel and the city's eventual financial downfall actually caused the hotel to be closed for almost twenty-five years! But finally things got back on track at the beginning of the 2000's and the hotel reopened as a mixed-use hotel and condominium complex in 2008. Upon its reopen, a three-story addition containing a new larger ballroom, called the Woodward Ballroom, heated indoor pool complete with hot-tub, 24-hour fitness center, spa, and additional conference space was built north of the hotel. It was at the Woodward where a majority of our convention took place along with the Italian Garden and Crystal Ballroom on the Fourth Floor of the hotel, and it could not have been a more welcoming experience.
Checking into the hotel was super easy as the front desk of The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit is actually on the second floor not the ground floor, which in normal times has a restaurant, which has since closed, as well as a Starbucks retail shop that is open on occasion. There was also a valet located at the entrance along Washington Boulevard, but they were the most welcoming as I attempted to gain access through their ornate front door. But the lobby staff was super nice, as a attendee of their convention, we were given a special discount that lasted for the entirety of the convention including the day before our meeting was scheduled to take place. As with all hotels you are required to leave your credit card information with the front desk in order to cover incidentals, which could get confusing as I did ask ahead of time to charge my final bill to another credit card that I made my reservation over the phone with, but in my haste to check out did I realize that they used the card I used for the incidentals, so I recommend that one makes sure that they have all of the information you want them to have, and your bill is accurate, as these things can happen.
My room, which was on the eleventh floor had a king-size bed and large screen flat panel television and desk which made working in my room very easy. There was WIFI but it was only for paying guests of the hotel as you have to verify your last name and room number in order to get access, but once you do, it works perfectly, but if you were attending our convention but staying at the hotel, you were out of luck, but that was the issue that our convention hosts should have solved beforehand. I made sure to utilize the indoor pool and spa as it was open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the fitness center, which was open 24 hours and they were completely stocked with towels and water bottles. The best aspect was how nice the catering for our convention was handled as we enjoyed a breakfast and lunch buffet with all of the fixings such as eggs, fresh fruit, salads and sandwiches. But during snack time, it was a real delight as there was plenty of fresh coffee and desserts for those who wanted it, but they also had a ice cream float bar during one afternoon of the convention, which was a nice touch. Would I stay here again? In a Motor City minute, as I felt both safe and invigorating at the same time thanks to all of the amenities featured at The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit.