Sometimes you find a hotel that just surprises you. Whether it’s unexpected luxuries, stunning artwork, or remarkable architecture, these properties linger in your thoughts long after you’ve checked out. During a recent trip to Oklahoma City, I stayed at one such accommodation: the Fordson Hotel.
The Fordson occupies the site of the former Ford Motor Co. Assembly Plant. The century-old building, a red brick edifice, is located in OKC’s West Village District. Inside, it blends original design features with contemporary comforts. It pays homage to the Industrial Revolution while providing modern hospitality.
From Factory to Hotel
Built in 1916, the factory was designed by renowned Michigan architect Albert Kahn. Kahn is celebrated for the nearly 900 buildings he designed in Detroit. He and his brother, Julius Kahn, designed numerous industrial plants for the Motor City’s automotive industry. He is known as the “architect of Detroit.”
The name “Fordson” comes from the Fordson brand of trucks and tractors that were built by Ford Motor Co. in the early 1900s and 1920s. The original Fordson tractor used an engine and ignition system that were similar to the Model T.
The Model T was built at the assembly plant from its first day until the Great Depression. After that point, the factory produced car parts. In 1967, it became the Fred Jones Manufacturing Co., a wholesale distributor for Ford. Fred Jones was a prominent Oklahoma industrialist and city leader, and one of the nation’s leading automobile dealers. He owned Ford dealerships throughout the Sooner State, including Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Norman. The plant closed in 2013 and was later renovated into a different boutique hotel.
In late 2023, the lobby underwent an extensive redesign in partnership with the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, and in April 2024, it opened as the only hotel in Oklahoma that’s part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection.
The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Guest Rooms at the Fordson
From the moment you step inside the Fordson, you know you’re in a place of history. The centerpiece of the expansive museum-like lobby is a Model T vehicle. Large framed historic photographs line the walls. And the original car lift has been transformed into a massive skylight.
Large concrete columns with flared mushroom tops — a style indicative of Kahn — are found throughout the property. Rooms and public spaces are designed around the columns. And steel-framed windows bring in plenty of natural light while exuding an industrial feel.
More columns are found on the guestroom floors. The elevator opens on each floor to a large open space decorated with an art installation of oversized red marquee-style arrows that glow against the concrete. Walls of glass blocks allow light to filter through from the skylights.
The Fordson offers 135 rooms and suites, ranging from a 400-square-foot single king and 405-square-foot double queen to the 5,000-square-foot penthouse. I stayed in a single king.
The room was long and narrow. But the high ceilings and large windows with floor-to-ceiling drapes made it feel larger. Guests are greeted by a desk with a tall back that serves as a room divider. A TV hangs from the back of the desk, facing the bed. A sofa and a small industrial-style round table are located at the end of the bed.
More automotive touches are found in the bathroom. Large white tiles cover the walls. Shiny chrome accents contrast against the black industrial-style vanity. The faucet handles on the sink and in the shower mimic steering wheels or the spokes of a Model T wheel.
Because the building used to be a factory, the walls and floors are solid concrete. My room was right next to the elevator, but I didn’t hear any outside noise during my stay.
More than a Place to Sleep
Four restaurants cater to both guests and local residents. The main dining spot is Mary Eddy’s Italian Grill. Named after Fred Jones’ wife, Mary Eddy Jones, the elegant eatery serves classic dishes, such as pasta, steak, and seafood, along with craft cocktails. Its signature drink, a fat-washed gin martini, anchors a drink menu of Italian tipples and wines.
For breakfast or lunch, head to Bodega. This all-day coffee shop offers tasty breakfast plates, smoothies, and coffee beverages. Soups, salads, and sandwiches are available during lunch hours. Or, if you prefer to hang out by the pool, you can enjoy a selection of light bites and refreshing cocktails at the Pool Bar. Like the pool itself, Pool Bar transitions to 21+ after 4 p.m.
In-room dining is also available. And if you’ve indulged a bit too much, the gym is open 24 hours.
The Fordson also features 14,000 square feet of meeting space, perfect for business conferences or weddings.
- Get a Car Rental
- Buy Travel Insurance
Staying at the Fordson Hotel
Because Fordson is part of World of Hyatt, guests can earn points with every stay. Members also enjoy discounts on stays. Rooms at Fordson begin at about $200 per night. Pets are also welcome. Guests must sign a pet waiver and pay a non-refundable pet fee of $50 per pet. Valet parking is available.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com or Hotels.com.
The Fordson is just one of many former industrial buildings that have been transformed into boutique accommodations. Check out this review of The Charmant Hotel in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. It was once a turn-of-the-century candy factory.
