Shinola Hotel Detroit Highlights
I’m a Shinola fan. Many aren’t, and that’s fine. But I find such a touch-of-luxury, relatively-affordable watch a worthy accessory. Naturally, I’ve been intrigued to stay at the Shinola Hotel Detroit since its opening in early 2019. Years ago, I noticed the property was available on Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection (now terribly named “The Edit”) and via Citi’s travel portal. I booked a few times, but ended up cancelling each due to schedule changes.
Earlier this year, the Shinola Hotel Detroit finally started participating in the Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts (FHR) portfolio. There was no more time for delay, and I needed to make this happen – fortuitously with the recently-increased Amex Platinum Hotel Credit (also now available on the Business Platinum). Today I’m describing my experience, but I’ll first step through the FHR angle.
Shinola Hotel Detroit and FHR
Booking
I booked for a Monday night stay in November – I was available and found the price point attractive. I noticed rates for all other nights in the general timeframe were substantially higher. Interestingly, these rates were hiked well over what I previously saw with Chase and Citi. Anyway, I booked a Study King room for just over $306, including taxes and fees, right in the neighborhood of the refreshed Amex benefit.
FHR Benefits at Shinola Hotel Detroit
Here’s a brief rundown of the FHR benefits granted at the property:
- 12 noon early check-in, when available
- 4 pm guaranteed late checkout
- Complimentary wi-fi
- A “thoughtfully-curated” Shinola welcome gift
- Complimentary upgrade, when available
- Daily Breakfast – $60 daily credit at San Morello or through in-room dining
- $100 Property Credit – to indulge at San Morello, Evening Bar, in our Living Room (lobby), or through in-room dining
Check-In
After an on-time arrival at DTW, I showed up at Shinola Hotel Detroit just after 12 noon. The front desk rep easily accommodated my early check-in request, quickly noting the FHR reservation. I offered to wait if that assisted with securing a complimentary upgrade, but the rep advised an upgrade was immediately available. I confirmed 4 pm late checkout and finished other check-in particulars. Finally, the agent briefly went over FHR benefits.
Room
I arrived at the upgraded Loft King room on the third floor. I quickly noticed the front desk agent had hooked me up with a big-time upgrade, clearly several levels above a standard one. Beyond the small foyer at entry, I faced a circular dining table, four chairs, and the not-so-mini-bar area. To the left was the large bathroom, and on the other side of the dining room was a sitting area leading to the plush king bed. The living room and bedroom areas are separated by a small, understated shade, creating a unique sense of place to each.
Warm, yellow light flowed throughout the spacious suite, perfectly complementing the woodsy tones. The sitting area’s couch and chairs were more attractive to look at than to sit in. Still, I had no trouble dozing off while sprawled on the sofa during that night’s Cowboy game. The suite offered two large TV’s on a common wall – a slightly-larger one in the sitting area and the other facing the bed. Everything seemed refreshingly in order, with the exception of two lamps. But engineering promptly made that right – more on that later.
I found the bathroom just as striking as the rest of the suite. After crossing the dressing room with a large closet on each side, I faced the bathroom entry with dual vanity. The powder room was to the right and large wet room holding the shower and bath to the left. The shower offers traditional and rainwater shower heads and plenty of room for company. The bathtub is perhaps the deepest I’ve experienced in recent memory, other than a gargantuan one at St. Regis Chicago. Many will find the wet room’s large mirror useful.
This suite was a distinctive, all-encompassing package that I’ve rarely experienced. I admire the Shinola’s design and style choices but can understand they may not be for everyone.
Dining and Other Amenities
The Shinola Hotel Detroit offers a variety of dining and drinking outlets, a few which are closed on Mondays. Still, the hotel’s main restaurant, San Morello, offered plenty on a couple occasions. I quickly checked out but chose not to indulge at Evening Bar, an intimate spot open every evening.
I first visited San Morello for breakfast, which offers standard dishes with just a bit of flare. Arriving for breakfast just after 8, the space increasingly buzzed with more diners. This spot seems popular with locals and others not staying at the property, and for good reason. A waitress quickly seated me at a two-top in the middle of the restaurant facing the wait station. Again, the place got busier, but it was the good kind of crowded that seemed to fit just right.
As I generally do with any first visit, I opted for a traditional American breakfast. La Colombe coffee was fresh and strong enough, eggs came accurately over-medium, and the recommended bacon featured a crispy perimeter and chewy interior. Perfectly-seasoned potatoes rendered ketchup unnecessary. Likewise, the fluffy toast had no use for butter. Oddly, the restaurant offered Cholula but no Tabasco. Overall, breakfast is delightful here.
Later that day – and still sporting a full property credit – I met my buddy, MtM alum, and current-MtM Travel podcast cohost Mark Ostermann for lunch. We opted for lunch at San Morello’s bar. I went with an Italian Sandwich and Mark opted for a pizza while we bonded over a few lagers. Lunch was tasty, but I feel the breakfast fare stood out a bit more.
The Shinola offers a small gym offering cardio equipment, a few weight machines, and free weights. The throwback vibe is on display here, too, like a less-tattered version of the Chicago Athletic Association. I enjoyed people-watching from the treadmills overlooking an alley of restaurants and shops.
Service
Service was on point throughout the stay. All hotel employees I interacted with – front desk agents, housekeepers, engineers, wait staff – were all warm and attentive without the stuffiness.
I called the front desk to request help with two non-functioning lamps. Within five minutes of calling, an engineer arrived to check them out. He quickly diagnosed that the knobs on each had been broken, something he mentioned was common with that particular fixture. A few minutes later, the engineer returned with two new lamps and quickly took care of the replacement. He offered a bottle of champagne for the inconvenience.
Shinola Hotel Detroit – Conclusion
The Shinola Hotel Detroit delivered an impeccable room, a solid restaurant, and smooth, thoughtful service – all with unique character. Amenities are limited at the Shinola, but in my view, that’s not the point of staying at this property, anyway. This hotel brought the feels in its own special way, perfectly synchronized with the thoughtfully-designed brand. I’m setting my watch for another visit, and my arrival will be timely.
Have you stayed at the Shinola Hotel Detroit? What’s your opinion of the property?
