The Dearborn Inn, A Marriott Hotel, MI [Master Thread] - FlyerTalk Forums (2024)

socrates

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The Henry Ford is the parent organization for the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village (formerly known as the Edison Inst)....Greenfield Village had major (and I do mean major) construction a bit ago (I seem to think this was 2 years ago but might have been only 1) but this has been completed...the Henry Ford Museum's newest exhibit will be opening in January (I received an invite the other day from Bill Ford to attend an opening gala but tossed it as I dont get to MI much, especially when there's that white stuff on the ground but the exhibit is their first major revamp of the museum)....as far as serious construction I haven't seen anything in the member newsletter in months...but as a member I highly recommend it - you can spend a full day in each (Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum) and still not see everything

SkiAdco*ck

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Well Greenfield Village is closed for Dec so that's out in terms of visiting. Just leaves the Ford Museum, and I'd have to check on their hours for Christmas Eve day. What else, if anything, is around there? I've been to some pretty large museums, but can't imagine the Ford is so large it would take an entire day.

Reason I'm trying to decide betwn Novi Ren & Dearborn Inn (and technically I could do both since I have 2 1-night certs) is I figured DI had the Ford/Greenfield connection (bummed GV is closed) & Novi is not all that far from the relatives & has a mall/shops/theaters nearby.

I 'think' Ren provides a cert for brekkie for Plats since they don't have a lounge, but not sure DI does anything.

Cheers.

socrates

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Well the automotive hall of fame is in the parking lot of the Henry Ford Museum but bet it's hours are much shorter than the Museum's (it's not run by The Henry Ford)....the Henry Ford Estate (Fair Lane Manor) is a short trip too (on the campus of U Mich Dearborn)...Fairlane (the mall) is just on the other side of Michigan Ave from the Henry Ford so lot's of shopping near by (plus there's a ton of other retail in the immediate area)

PS Since you mentioned the DI's connection with The Henry Ford....just some tidbits of historic info - the DI was spun off to the Edison Inst (now The Henry Ford) at somepoint by FoMoCo...when the hotel was put up for sale in the 80's FoMoCo refused to let it go to anyone else and immediately instructed FoMoCo Land Dev Corp (their land development arm) to immediately buy back the hotel from the Edison Inst.....the hotel has been back in FoMoCo's hands ever since....their holiday decorations are amazing (both inside and outside on the grounds)....myself I'd stay at the Inn, it's not your typical hotel

Last edited by socrates; Dec 20, 2011 at 3:06 pm

DELee

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Sharon:

Haven't been back to HFM and GV since late 90's but both were/are a treat.

Wikipedia shows the HFM at 12 acres. If you like to wander and read, there's a huge amount of things to see.

GV shows open for Holiday Nights in December but for me that wouldn't be much of an attraction. I think all of the historical homes and buildings collected together in one place really had the greatest impact on me personally and really tells the story of invention, development and thinking in America.

I've not been back to the Dearborn Inn since then but friends who live in MI did discourage me recently from considering bringing my family to stay at the Inn given how Dearborn has changed in the intervening years. Others on this thread have noted the pros and cons of the neighborhood and I look forward to any feedback you have about the Inn, HFM and what you find.

David

Michilander

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Grew up in the western Detroit burbs and put myself through college working at the Ford Rouge plant. I know it has gone through a lot of changes since I worked there, but it was quite a place. Included the only steel mill in the US that was not operated by USW union (UAW). I mention this because you can take tours of the plant, and it looks like they are running tours on the 24th. If you are a car person, you might consider it. It used to be that the tour started at the "Glass House" (Ford World HQ on Michigan Ave).

The Henry Ford Museum is huge. As was mentioned earlier, if you are the type that reads most of the signs and tries to see everything (like my SO), you can spend a whole day there.

As a Red Wings fan, I would recommend you also check out Cheli's Chili, at Michigan and Oakwood. It is owned by Chris Chelios, considered by some hockey fans as the best American born player to have played in the NHL.

It is just too bad that the Rotunda burned down all those years ago, as that was THE place to visit in that area during the holidays. Never understood why Ford didn't rebuild it.

Hope this helps a little, as I feel I owe you a bunch for all the great posts you have made.

SkiAdco*ck

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Ok, sounds like there are things to do. Any thoughts on the Henry vs the Dearborn Inn?

Also, how far is Chelsea from Dearborn? Have some friends there.

Cheers.

DillMan

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The Henry used to be very Ritz-Carlton-ish (when it was, you know, an RC), however they've since renovated and it now looks like a RC that was renovated by IKEA. IMHO it lost some of its charm and prestige in the process but it still wins out over the Dearborn Inn in terms of room comfort. The Dearborn Inn, on the other hand wins out big time in terms of charm, uniqueness, and staff quality. I'd take the Dearborn Inn for a recreational trip but it really depends on what you are looking for.

Keep in mind also that the Dearborn Inn is closer (walking distance actually) to the Henry Ford Museum. The Henry has a free private car service but you might have to wait a while depending on how busy they are and how well staffed they are as generally a bell boy will drive you.

The Henry Ford can easily fill a day or two just looking around. There's also the IMAX which is especially popular in the early evenings. As far as the Automotive Hall of Fame goes I'd recommend you pass unless looking at hundreds of bronze busts of people that invented new times of engine shipping crates gets your pulse going.

Chelsea is about an hour away and is a pretty easy straight shot on the interstate. Traveling there would certainly require a rental car.

SkiAdco*ck

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Thanks. Sounds like I'll go w/ the DI if I'm going to do the Henry Ford museum. Now to decide whether to do both nights there, or the first night there & the 2nd night at the Novi Ren, which is closer to my relatives.

Cheers.

socrates

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Chelsea is out by A2 just off I-94 so it's an easy drive from Deaborn....I'd say 45-60 mins (but it has been a while since I've last driven that)

socrates

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Remember this is "winter" in Michigan....not sure I'd want to be doing that walk from the Dearborn Inn...not far but "far" does vary with the temp IMO

I agree on the hall of fame (sadly)

DillMan

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Weenie

socrates

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YaSureYouBetcha! ....now lets see, weather today where I am...over 70? Shoot - I took the golf clubs out of the car over the weekend (I've spent more than my share of time in the north)

Have a happy holiday's all!

SkiAdco*ck

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Ok, I'm booking the DI for the 23th & will spend day of the 24th @ Henry Ford. Then will switch to Novi Ren late that aft on the 24th & head over to relatives morning of 25th.

Which type of room should I ask for/hope to get upgraded to at the DI?

And - if anyone's around on the 23th or 24th & isn't wrapped up w/ family stuff/has time to meet for meal, coffee or drink, PM me for cell # & to arrange to meet. Be great to see other FTers. Also know due to dates/holidays, no one might be around.

The Chelsea friend is busy so that's out, but she's from my hometown up north so we're actually going to meet up there later in the week after Xmas.

One thing I am bummed about is that the Greenfield Village "Holiday of Lights" event is sold out the eve of the 23rd. It sounds great, and I would have liked to have seen it.

Cheers.

SkiAdco*ck

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Just noticed this on the DI site re: the Colonial Home Suite.

"Open: Mon-Fri
Closed: Weekends, Closed: Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years day"

Why would they not be available on weekends or holidays? Doesn't housekeeping have to work 365?

Cheers.

socrates

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The Colonial Homes (which are historic theirselves) are seperate buildings which as you can imagine does create some challenges for Housekeeping during the winter - historically they close these buildings to consolidate/better utilize their staff as these rooms are not in high demand over slower periods