Trumbull & Porter

Trumbull & Porter, Detroit: A Michelin Key Selected Property Review

Trumbull & Porter in Detroit, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a distinctive boutique hotel experience that blends the city's rich industrial heritage with modern design and local artistry. While its Michelin Key designation highlights its quality and unique appeal, guest experiences paint a detailed picture of its strengths and areas for improvement.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Trumbull & Porter is positive, with an overall "Very Good" rating across various platforms. On Hotels.com, it scores 8.2 out of 10 based on over 1,000 reviews, with many travelers praising it as a "Great hotel off the beaten path!". Similarly, Booking.com shows a "Good" rating of 7.8 based on over 1,100 reviews, with a staff rating of 8.8 and location at 8.4. Some guests describe it as a "hidden gem in Detroit" and a "unique blend of historic charm and modern comfort". However, there are also some strong criticisms, with some guests calling it a "polished turd" or describing disappointing experiences.

2. Key Highlights

Guests frequently laud Trumbull & Porter for several aspects:

• Design & Atmosphere: The hotel is praised for its "cool artistic flair" and "unique interior design featuring a modern layout and chic interior style". Patrick Thompson Design incorporated exposed conduits and bulbs, polished concrete, and whitewashed brick, softening the effect with custom furnishings by local artisans. The lobby is described as "spacious, bright, and airy".
• Location: Its position in the "redone historic Corktown neighborhood" is a significant draw, offering walkability to numerous bars and restaurants.
• Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, on-site parking, a fitness center with downtown views, and a lively courtyard with a music venue and beer garden are frequently mentioned. The presence of a coffee bar and a concierge is also appreciated.
• Local Focus: The hotel embraces its Detroit roots by incorporating local procurement, from craft beers to custom rental bikes by Detroit Bikes, and showcasing art installations by over 52 local artists.

3. Room Quality

Room quality receives mixed but generally positive feedback. Guests often find the rooms "clean and comfortable" with comfortable beds. They feature modern amenities such as a 50-inch flat-screen TV, refrigerator, air conditioning, and en suite bathrooms. Some rooms include slippers and movies-on-demand. However, some guests have described rooms as "very basic" despite being clean. There have been specific complaints about functional comforts, such as a lack of hooks in the bathroom for towels, insufficient hot water, and outlets only on one side of the bed. One highly critical review mentioned a "blood stain on the comforter and black hairs in the shower" in an "old and dilapidated" room.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's dining options are a highlight for many. The on-site restaurant, Red Dunn Kitchen, is considered "more or less the star of the show, slinging casual New American plates and a variety of liquids to pair". It's available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Burroughs Lounge in the lobby also serves as a terrific coffee bar and a spot to unwind. Guests have enjoyed the food and the atmosphere, recommending the restaurant for a delicious meal.

5. Service & Staff

The staff at Trumbull & Porter generally receive high praise for being "friendly," "helpful," and "incredibly nice". The check-in and check-out processes are often described as easy. Positive experiences include friendly bar waiters and accommodating staff. However, there are instances of less-than-stellar service, with some guests reporting unhelpful staff when requesting room changes, and issues with a large incidental deposit not being returned promptly. One employee review also points to poor management and demeaning treatment of staff and guests.

6. Location & Accessibility

Located in the Corktown neighborhood, Trumbull & Porter offers excellent accessibility to Detroit's attractions. It's described as being "within an easy walk of the happening Michigan Avenue scene" and having "12+ bars and restaurants just within walking distance". Downtown Detroit, including MGM Grand Detroit, Comerica Park, and Ford Field, is a short drive or a 10-minute stroll away. The Detroit Riverwalk and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History are also minutes away or easily accessible. The hotel provides on-site private parking and bicycle rentals, enhancing its convenience.

7. Value & Pricing

Value and pricing receive mixed reviews. While some guests consider it "good value for the downtown area", others express significant disappointment, especially concerning higher weekend rates. One guest reported paying $950 for two nights and felt it was not worth the cost for what they received. Daily rates can vary significantly, with some rooms priced around $98-$159 per night, but also reaching up to $684 for certain deluxe options. A recurring issue mentioned is a $250 "incidentals fee" charged upon check-in, which some guests find unexpected or high.

8. Common Complaints

While many reviews are positive, some common criticisms and issues include:

• Thin Walls: Several guests have reported thin walls, leading to noise from adjacent rooms being easily audible.
• Inconsistent Maintenance/Cleanliness: Despite being recently renovated, some older aspects of the building are noticeable, and there have been reports of cleanliness issues such as blood stains and hairs in the shower. One guest mentioned finding a large dead cockroach in their room.
• Functional Room Deficiencies: Lack of basic amenities like bathroom hooks, insufficient hot water, and poorly placed electrical outlets have been noted.
• Elevator Issues: There have been mentions of elevators not always working.
• Incidental Fees: The $250 incidental hold at check-in has been a point of contention for some guests.
• Service Inconsistencies: While staff are generally friendly, there are isolated reports of unhelpful service or unfulfilled requests.
• Perceived Value: Some guests feel the pricing, especially during peak times, does not align with the actual room quality or overall experience.

Sources

1. hotels.com
2. booking.com
3. trumbullandporterhotel.com
4. reddit.com
5. priceline.com
6. youtube.com
7. michelin.com
8. kayak.com
9. expedia.com
10. tablethotels.com
11. michigan.org
12. booking.com
13. reddit.com
14. indeed.com
15. reddit.com