Unless you’ve been living on a deserted island for the past 5 years, you’ve probably read or heard about Detroit’s resurgence. Once the richest city in America and the center of the world’s automotive industry, Motor City had fallen on hard times by the early 2000s. A loss of manufacturing, racial tensions, a decrease in population, and a historic bankruptcy plagued Detroit. But the city refused to die. In recent years, Detroit has undergone a serious glow-up. Corporations are investing in the city, and historic buildings are being renovated and given new life as apartment complexes, hotels, and small-business incubators. One such structure can be found at Lafayette Boulevard and Third Street. In October 2023, the building reopened as the Cambria Detroit Downtown Hotel.
I recently had the pleasure of rediscovering this Midwest metropolis. It’s been more than 25 years since I last visited Detroit, and I was pleasantly surprised at both the city as a whole and the Cambria.
Location
Located less than a mile from Comerica Park and Ford Field and approximately 1 mile from the Renaissance Center, the Cambria is perfectly situated in the heart of the city’s business district. The building is one of Detroit’s most iconic structures. Designed by renowned architect Albert Kahn, it is known for its landmark 70-foot Indiana limestone facade. Kahn, who designed nearly 900 buildings in the city, is referred to as “the architect of Detroit.”
The building opened in 1936 as the home of WWJ-AM studios. It was later used for union offices and became known as the Walker-Roehrig Building. When Cambria took over the property in 2019 and decided to turn it into a hotel, the company made sure to keep many of the original Art Deco details. The renovations cost $80 million.
Cambria Comfort
The hotel offers 154 rooms in four configurations: double queen, classic king, deluxe king corner, and king suite. I stayed in a classic king, which is basically the same size as a double queen but with a single bed and two nightstands instead of one. Both standard rooms include a chaise lounge sofa and spacious desk with comfy office chair.
The rooms are bright, airy, and contemporary. The decor is minimalist with mostly white walls, wood floors and neutral-hued furnishings. A defining feature is an accent wall that is cloaked in a bold blue-and-black wallpaper. Photos and artwork recall the building’s history as a radio station.
All rooms include a mini fridge, 55” smart TV, Keurig coffee maker, and in-room safe. I also received two complimentary bottles of water—an amenity that I always appreciate, as I’m usually thirsty when I check in. Lighting is controlled by a Lutron system that allows you to dim or turn off individual lights or the entire room without leaving the bed.
The bathroom features an expansive vanity, perfect for spreading out all of your toiletries. The mirror is Bluetooth-enabled, although I didn’t realize it until the day I checked out. The shower has a large shelf for holding plenty of bath and haircare products. Even the towels are a touch above—a mix of traditional white towels and textured gray-and-white versions.
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Art Deco Elegance
The experience begins the minute you arrive at the Cambria. Guests enter at the sidewalk level into an entry foyer. Glossy black-and-white marble floors, decorative light fixtures, and minimalist furnishings set the Art Deco tone. The check-in desk and main lobby are on the third floor. The historic aesthetic continues with more polished marble floors, marble wall tiles, gold accents, Art Deco-style chandeliers, and fluted furnishings and planters. A large lounge includes a mix of mid-century and Art Deco furnishings and decor. A long gallery hallway leads to the guest room elevators. The hallway features a highly polished black marble floor, black-and-white wallpaper on the ceiling, and eye-catching light fixtures. The walls are lined with black-and-white photography and artwork. The combination is a visual feast.
A lobby bar, Beve, is located adjacent to the main lounge. It exudes classic glamour with a curved wood bar, sleek gold-accented furnishings, a black-and-white patterned tile floor, and glittering crystal chandeliers. The hotel also offers a rooftop cocktail bar, Cielo, with views of downtown Detroit, and Cibo, a steakhouse/Italian restaurant. There’s also a 24-hour fitness center. Or, head downstairs from the entrance foyer and enjoy a game of golf or duckpin bowling at Five Iron Golf.
Stay at the Cambria Detroit Downtown
Rooms at the Cambria Detroit Downtown Hotel average between $200 and $300 per night. Valet parking is available for an additional $45 per night. Outdoor parking also is available for an additional fee. Unfortunately, the Cambria is not pet-friendly. But if Fido is your traveling companion, check out the Detroit Foundation Hotel, a historic 1929 property that offers a Pack Your Pup package.
Check rates online for the Cambria Detroit Downtown Hotel at Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com.
All photos by Rebecca L. Rhoades
