With the 2014 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) only a few short months away, Detroit hasn’t been lazy with its preparations. In particular, there are plans for many new hotels and several established hotels cruising along with superb renovations in anticipation of the arrival of traveling journalists and tourists alike.
If you’re planning on attending the 2014 NAIAS and don’t want to have to walk far, try the Crown Plaza Detroit Downtown Convention Center Hotel, located a short walk across Washington Avenue from Cobo Hall. Originally the historic Pontchartrain Hotel, this place has undergone spectacular improvements. Just re-opened this past July, it holds 367 rooms, among those are over 60 suites. Later this month the Crown Plaza will re-open its amazing five-star restaurant called Top Of The Pops, and is accepting bookings for the week of NAIAS.
Within the Renaissance Center is the Detroit Marriott Hotel which is ranked number 17th in the world in height at 70 floors. It has 1,329 rooms available for guests. In February 2014 The Detroit Marriott will begin a renovation of its property to the tune of a $30 million investment. Hotel management says that the hotel‘s new look will tie the “city’s vibe and personality into the new, comfortably modern décor and theme.” All of the many new features will be ready in time for NAIAS 2015.
Directly across from Cobo Center on Washington Avenue is Detroit’s Firehouse #1. It was formerly the Detroit Fire Department’s headquarters, but was many years ago leased by Daimler-Chrysler from the City of Detroit. At that time it was repurposed into a bar/cigar lounge/restaurant that has become famous among the media coming to visit downtown Detroit. Investors plan to renovate the Firehouse and turn it into a boutique hotel, housing 75-80 rooms. They’re hoping to preserve its historic meaning and make it reminiscent of early Detroit. Spring of 2015 is the projected grand opening.
The venue in which The North American International Auto Show takes place, Cobo Center, has been renovating for a few years now. On September 7th the grand opening of its newly completed Atrium and Grand Riverview Ballroom took place. Previously Cobo Arena, the new ballroom makes another 40,000 square feet available for use. These renovations have created jobs and excitement in Detroit and surrounding the NAIAS.
NAIAS will be offering its Travel Headquarters in order to better serve customers seeking to secure hotel rooms for the 2014 Auto Show. They are pretty much booked up for the press preview, beginning on January 13 and 14, but still have some availability left at some downtown and metro area hotels. If you’re fortunate enough to procure rooms in hotels located in Dearborn, you will enjoy free shuttle services to and from Cobo. This will alleviate the cost of parking as well as the cost of fuel for driving.
