 
Hamtramike
Member
Username: Hamtramike
Post Number: 474
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 8:16 pm: |    |
"What makes the Townsend so great?"
Nothing really. It is a nice 4 star property in a decent area. But for metro detroit, that is the top of the line. Ndavies was accurate noting that there are many different segments with few downtown hotels filling each. The biggest problem has been a luxury 5 star property that can handle a large event. The townsend is nice, but has little space (and only a 4 star rating). The casino properties will face stiffer competition from hotels in other cities than here in detroit. These properties are trying to lure large convention$ away from other midwest cities rather than leisure travelers from area hotels. |
Atperry
Member
Username: Atperry
Post Number: 270
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 8:55 pm: | |
I have a question for those of you who know about the hotel industry. Is the Westin brand appropriate for the Book Cadillac, given that it is supposed to compete with the Ritz and Townsend? The hotel is being promoted as the best luxury hotel in the area. But when I think of Westin, I don't really think of top end luxury. I always thought of it as near-luxury. (Remember, the Ren Cen used to be a Westin) Am I wrong about this?
I know Starwood also has "The W" brand. And if the company does not think that Detroit is quite ready for a "W", that's fair enough, I'd probably agree. Anybody have any insights on this? |
Cgunn
Member
Username: Cgunn
Post Number: 93
Registered: 01-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 9:24 pm: | |
According to the 2007 AAA rating, Westin has the most 4 diamond hotels in US and Canada w/ 59 properties. ( I could have counted wrong, let me know if I did)
*Hilton @ 55; Marriott @ 51; W hotel @ 3
The W Hotels brand features contemporary properties, with modern facilities.
Westin Hotels & Resorts are an upscale hotel chain.
Saying that, Westin does fit the BC. It would be nice to have a W, because there are non in Michigan.
Yes, the Marriott RenCen use to be a Westin. |
Reetz12
Member
Username: Reetz12
Post Number: 187
Registered: 09-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 9:29 pm: | |
About 2 months ago at Pegasus they accepted the casino comps for dinner. |
Gistok
Member
Username: Gistok
Post Number: 5220
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 9:39 pm: | |
Hmmm, I wonder if Pegasus was sold by Jim Papas and Ted Gatzaros to Greektown Casino (since they are in thes same block of buildings).
Fishbones and the Atheneum Hotel cannot accept Greektown comps.
In the past Papas and Gatzaros took the Gaming Commission to court of the matter of being allowed to accept comps, but the 2 Greektown businessmen lost (or it was thrown out).
Paging Gambling_man..... |
Scs100
Member
Username: Scs100
Post Number: 1442
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 9:40 pm: | |
As far as I know, Papas still owns the Pegasus. |
Reetz12
Member
Username: Reetz12
Post Number: 188
Registered: 09-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 9:43 pm: | |
I've also been to Fishbone's on a comped meal. Maybe something happenned allowing these restaurants to accept the comps? Gistok here is a list of restaurants.
http://www.greektowncasino.com /Gaming/ClubGreektown/Restaura ntComps.htm |
Gistok
Member
Username: Gistok
Post Number: 5221
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 9:52 pm: | |
That's odd, I remember all the squawking that the 2 Greektown businessmen were doing about how they were being squeezed out of any casino perks.
Hmmmm, I wonder if they transfered ownership to their wives or children to get around this.
I had also heard that there was some sort of falling out between Papas and Gatzaros.
The Fishbones in St. Clair Shores had a fancy enclosed outdoor patio in front of that restaurant that remained unfinished because of some squabbling among the partners about what building materials were going to be used. That was the story I heard from the business owner across the street from there when I inquired why the 2 years of delayed construction.
I even remember reading that the SCS City Council was getting real annoyed with them about the unfinished construction, and how they had to get their construction permits all over again. |
Dnvn522
Member
Username: Dnvn522
Post Number: 271
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 12:38 pm: | |
quote:A lot of people complain about the prices compared to Vegas. They are actually right in line with other higher end properties such at the Wynn, Signature Lofts @ MGM, THEhotel (Mandalay Bay), etc.
I just did a quick price comparison for the same night I was trying to book (a Tuesday).
MGM Grand-Detroit (5star?): $399
The Signature at MGM Grand-Vegas (4 1/2star): $159
Bellagio (5star): $229
THE hotel at Mandalay Bay (4 1/2star): $280
Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas (5star): $259
Wynn (5star): $349
While most of those places have higher priced rooms, they also have semi-reasonably priced rooms. While I was willing to pay $200 or even $250 for a room that night...I'm not gonna pay $400. |
Craig
Member
Username: Craig
Post Number: 292
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 12:51 pm: | |
ATP - I'm not an expert, but I doubt that major hotel and entertainment chains adhere to the "build it and they will come" school of marketing. Somewhere behind the decisions related to Detroit are studies of the potential within this market. That there's interest in building at all is a great sign. That except for a few that pick over the bones re: CBD retail is a sign of just how hollow Detroit is in the eyes of the experts.
Anyone who thinks that I'm wrong should meet me at the African Town retail development to talk it over. |
_sj_
Member
Username: _sj_
Post Number: 2055
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 2:36 pm: | |
Gistok, I had heard the same things about the patio and the partner troubles.
They were also suppose to the develop the land around SCS Fishbones and never did.
A quick search of liquor licenses shows only Gatzaros as owners of Fishbones. |
Gistok
Member
Username: Gistok
Post Number: 5229
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 2:49 pm: | |
Thanks for the info _sj_! Since their businesses are/were privately owned, little tidbits like this rarely get out... |
Cgunn
Member
Username: Cgunn
Post Number: 96
Registered: 01-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 3:39 pm: | |
Ok, you got lucky on a day. Look at the Rate Calendars for the following..
Bellagio
Sky Lofts @ MGM Grand
THEhotel
Wynn Las Vegas
W Chicago CityCenter
Renaissance Chicago Hotel
Westin Las Vegas
Borgata Atlantic City
Trump Marina
All among the same line (price) with their casino or hotel cost per night.
I welcome the option to Detroit. I don't see why some of you aren't. MGM has been in the business for years, I'm sure they know what they are doing?
As of now, I can't afford to stay in the hotel, my lost; but if people are willing to pay the price, let them. Remember these are King and Queen size beds, not doubles. |
Gistok
Member
Username: Gistok
Post Number: 5238
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 11:37 pm: | |
... and don't forget... those high thread count sheets and pillowcases have to count for something...  |
Detroitrise
Member
Username: Detroitrise
Post Number: 716
Registered: 09-2007
| | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 12:11 pm: | |
This is a bit Random, but I heard Paris Hilton has a Luxury Suite reserved for her in the Hilton Branded Hotels in Detroit (so she probably has one in DoubleTree???). I heard she has even stayed at the Hilton Garden a few times since it opened. |
Crawford
Member
Username: Crawford
Post Number: 158
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 12:40 pm: | |
LOL, I don't think Paris Hilton stays at budget Garden Inns.
If that skank comes to the D, I would think she would stay at the Townsend. |
6nois
Member
Username: 6nois
Post Number: 575
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 12:47 pm: | |
One thing about the hotel prices is we as residents aren't going to pay it so whether you are willing or not to pay it is really quite irrelevant, its about if others are. |
Eric
Member
Username: Eric
Post Number: 990
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 12:50 pm: | |
You bumped a dormant thread just to post about Paris Hilton? |
Gistok
Member
Username: Gistok
Post Number: 5764
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 1:22 pm: | |
Well since this thread has been bumped... at least I can reply to my earlier confusion over Greektown Casino comps, and the fact that some Greektown restaurants can now accept comps that were unavailable to them before.
As some have mentioned... the 2 initial Greektown developers Jim Papas and Ted Gatzaros were denied Casino licensing because they could not pass the background check. Well it seems that their partnership has now broken up.
Jim Papas was denied a license because of a domestic dispute. And Ted Gatzaros was denied for other reasons (owing back taxes may have been a culprit).
Well now it has been reported that Ted Gatzaros is planning on buying back 1% interest in Greektown Casino. So Gatzaros must have cleared up any problems with the state gaming commission, as well as had a breakup of the Greektown partnership with Papas.
And I take it that he got Pegasus and Fishbones as part of that breakup. So if he can pass the state background check, then his restaurants can now offer Greektown Casino comps. |
Iheartthed
Member
Username: Iheartthed
Post Number: 2212
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 1:31 pm: | |
Is the Townsend a Hilton hotel? My guess is that she stayed at the Doubletree when she was there for the Super Bowl... Or rented a condo. |
Raptor56
Member
Username: Raptor56
Post Number: 188
Registered: 05-2007
| | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 2:13 pm: | |
I wouldn't mind the prices of downtown hotels dropping a bit in price. went bar hopping downtown a couple fridays ago with the gf. We both got the novel idea at 1am to rent a room as opposed to driving home. even a "cheap" room at the Atheneum was $200. And when I was looking at prices of hotel rooms downtown for a birthday outing in April, the Hilton Garden in and the Ren Cen Marriott were about the same price (plus or minus $20). If they could drop to around $100 pre night, I'd stay down there 4 or 5 times a year at least. |
Charlottepaul
Member
Username: Charlottepaul
Post Number: 2039
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 2:22 pm: | |
Prices are based on what people will pay. People complain about the cost of gas, but if they still buy it at whatever price anyway, then the price will not go down. |
Kenp
Member
Username: Kenp
Post Number: 875
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 4:30 pm: | |
I stayed a few weeks ago at the Milner for $70 bucks. Great location, nothing fancy, but it was clean and worked nicely for me. Funky little place. |
401don
Member
Username: 401don
Post Number: 50
Registered: 11-2007
| | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 8:19 pm: | |
Most of the downtown hotels are around 129-139 weekends. The kicker is the extra $20 for parking that you don't pay in the burbs. The casino hotels and Book Caddy will have their own clientele but the Sheraton Riverside and Shelby Doubletree will put a lot of downward pressure on the other properties, especially weekends.
It's always a good idea to call the hotel and ask for the mgr. on a same day booking. Just say, "what's the best you can do for me tonight as I'd rather stay here than out in the burbs." They are taught never to let a room go empty. You can be your own Priceline. |
Bobj
Member
Username: Bobj
Post Number: 2833
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 8:38 pm: | |
I know, my wife and I would stay Downtown several times a year if we could get something nice under $150, the Milner is a bit too funky for me. |
Kenp
Member
Username: Kenp
Post Number: 877
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 8:53 pm: | |
bobj, the Garden Hilton is under $150, as is the Marriott across from the RenCen. Both are nice places in the heart of the city.
The other nice thing about the Milner is you can park next door at the Opera house ramp for $5. |
Eric
Member
Username: Eric
Post Number: 1002
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 11:41 am: | |
From the weeks Model D:
The TEDC, Baum says, is signing more contracts for meetings than ever before, with eight citywide (read "big," and "lucrative") conventions signed this year to date. Baum expects to finish the year 50 percent up from last year, and that's good news — each citywide convention, he says, is worth between $5 million and $20 million.
"Groups that are requiring, say, 3,000 rooms a night for a city-wide convention — in the past we would have to leave downtown," Baum says. "It makes us a much more viable option."
http://modeldmedia.com/feature s/hotels11907.aspx |
Islandman
Member
Username: Islandman
Post Number: 1180
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 11:46 am: | |
Kenp,
Most hotels downtown ramp up their rates, especially is they know there is an event that will be bringing in folks from out of town.
During the first years of DEMF, I was able to get rooms for friends coming in at the Marriott for $120 a night; that has risen to $250+. All cities do it though. |
Jt1
Member
Username: Jt1
Post Number: 10825
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 11:51 am: | |
As long as we don't charge taxes on the hotel rooms to fund regional needs. LBP's panties would get in a bunch asking out of towners to pay taxes. |
Iheartthed
Member
Username: Iheartthed
Post Number: 2231
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 12:52 pm: | |
quote:Most of the downtown hotels are around 129-139 weekends. The kicker is the extra $20 for parking that you don't pay in the burbs.
You'll pay that in gas commuting to the suburbs. |
Gambling_man
Member
Username: Gambling_man
Post Number: 1029
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 10:12 am: | |
Sorry Gistok, didn't see your calling when this went up in August. Papas and Gatzaros did break up, so to speak. Papas got Pegasus, half of the hotel and half of the apt complex in St. Claire Shores. Ted got all the rest (fishbones (3), 400 Monroe Bldg, Murphy Bldg, and another office bldg downtown) |
Gambling_man
Member
Username: Gambling_man
Post Number: 1030
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 10:15 am: | |
Oh, and they didn't have comps for a long time, but comps are now allowed at the Hotel and Fishbones, and Pegasus.
Don't forget that Jim also owns half of Greektown proper......... |
Bobj
Member
Username: Bobj
Post Number: 2965
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 10:24 am: | |
Thanks for the tips kenp |
Kenp
Member
Username: Kenp
Post Number: 882
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 10:51 am: | |
welcome bobj. Make sure you book in advance.
Also if you stay at the Marriott, get a corner room facing the river, its great in either direction. |
Downtown_dave
Member
Username: Downtown_dave
Post Number: 220
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 11:32 am: | |
I didn't know there were corner rooms in the round Marriott! :-) |
Kenp
Member
Username: Kenp
Post Number: 883
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 11:35 am: | |
haha, Courtyard Marriott across the street is what I meant.
I did check online, there are some rooms for this weekend at $129 and $149 |
Bobj
Member
Username: Bobj
Post Number: 2975
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 12:19 pm: | |
I think we are going to do a Saturday night stay at one of the casinos with some other couples over the winter. A little getaway without driving all day. |
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