Overnight Hotel Accommodations in Detroit during the Golden Era

[woodward]

As many people point out, during the glory days of Motown, a lot of artists came to Detroit to record, etc. etc.

Did Motown as a corporate entity have a block of rooms reserved at a local hotel for the use of their artists? Many major corporations these days have such an arrangement.

Any knowledge of where all the visitors stayed while in the Motor City?

[kenneth]

I always thought the Pontchartrain Hotel was the "go to" venue in downtown Detroit for many of the Motown personnel. But I just looked it up and the research said it was demolished in 1920! It was rebuilt, maybe?

I bet Marv2 has an answer to this one.

[marv2]

That is a good question. I recall Bobby Taylor mentioning he had an apartment in same building as Suzanne DePasse when he came to Detroit. The Jackson 5 stayed there at his apartment when they first arrived as well. Not sure about any hotels they used back then.

[marv2]

I believe the Pontchartrain Hotel was the "go to" venue in downtown Detroit for many of the Motown personnel. I bet Marv2 has an answer to this one though.

Kenneth, believe it or not, I was thinking of the Pontchitrain Hotel when I was writing my first response in this thread. So much has changed in Detroit. So many of the places there in the sixties are now gone.

[marv2]

Northland would have been one of the places I am sure.

[kenneth]

@Marv2, and here I thought you knew everything! I'm devastated! LOL

[marv2]

Another one would have been the Book Cadillac hotel on Washington in Detroit

[marv2]

@Marv2, and here I thought you knew everything! I'm devastated! LOL

Don't even joke like that Kenneth! There are "some" around here just hoping I would forget something and post a "mistake" LOL!!!!!!

[kenneth]

Don't even joke like that Kenneth! There are "some" around here just hoping I would forget something and post a "mistake" LOL!!!!!!

Yeah, and I'm one of them!

Kidding aside, you do have a vast knowledge of all things Motown. And you have some serious archives of rare photos, too. A lot of fascinating stuff.

[marv2]

Yeah, and I'm one of them!

Kidding aside, you do have a vast knowledge of all things Motown. And you have some serious archives of rare photos, too. A lot of fascinating stuff.

Kenneth we both share a lot of the same memories. I bet you could go up to almost any former or current Detroit of a certain age and they would be just as knowledgeable in reference to the subjects we discuss here.

[StuBass1]

St Regis om West Grand Blvd was close proximity to Motown and General Motors... For those on a tight budget...there was always the 20 Grand Motel...

[marv2]

St Regis om West Grand Blvd was close proximity to Motown and General Motors... For those on a tight budget...there was always the 20 Grand Motel...

Yes, the St. Regis is definitely a possibility. Thanks Stu.

[detmotownguy]

That was a Hilton right?

[stingbeelee]

Back in the early days of Motown, there was the Gotham hotel - people tell me it was near John R. and Mack, it was one of the few places were African-Americans could stay. Yes, the Ponchartrain hotel is still standing, but it has another name.

[stingbeelee]

The Ponchartrain hotel in Detroit, where I think Berry Gordy locked in the "Corporation" for the Supremes next single after "Reflections" and/or locked them in to write songs for the Jackson 5; it is now called the Crown Plaza Riverfront hotel, and from what I hear, it is now doing pretty good.

[ralpht]

The St. Regis became the hotel of choice once it opened. I picked up Jean Terrell there when she replaced Diana Ross, and took her to Motown.

[marv2]

The Ponchartrain hotel in Detroit, where I think Berry Gordy locked in the "Corporation" for the Supremes next single after "Reflections" and/or locked them in to write songs for the Jackson 5; it is now called the Crown Plaza Riverfront hotel, and from what I hear, it is now doing pretty good.

That was for "Love Child" in 1968. In 1990 Ian Levine held his "Motor City Revue" on the rooftop there for 2 nights and several dozen early Motown artists performed their hits.

[marv2]

The St. Regis became the hotel of choice once it opened. I picked up Jean Terrell there when she replaced Diana Ross, and took her to Motown.

Amazing! So much history you've seen. Thank you Ralph!

[BritishTony]

One of the proudest moments of my entire life was when I wrote to Motown in early 90’s saying it’s my first visit to Detroit, where can I stay nearby. Doris Holland wrote back recommending the St Regis and unbelievably said they’d pay the first night. You can imagine my face as I arrived saying Motown is paying! I still treasure the invoice.

The letter [[no, not email) said to announce myself on visiting Hitsville for a special treat. I was given a private tour by Paul Barker then later Mrs Esther Gordy-Edwards arrived in a limo just back from LA to say hello. I mentioned I’d searched years for In Loving Memory in England, she asked Paul to get one [[I’ll never know where from). She explained the circumstances of its recording and was so proud her brother was writing his autobiography – I found it hard to believe we’d ever get such a book.

I’m not home right now but seem to remember Raynoma Lyles-Gordy mentioning St Regis in her book so I assume Motown used the St Regis a lot. A real classy hotel in the 90’s with a very fine restaurant. A few years later it seemed to have gone down a lot.

[TomatoTom123]

The St. Regis became the hotel of choice once it opened. I picked up Jean Terrell there when she replaced Diana Ross, and took her to Motown.

Being a member here is worth it for little things like this Ralph. :)

[kenneth]

Fascinating memories and recollections guys. So fun to read.

[Motown4Ever518]

For those really on a budget, I would imagine The Algiers Motel was an option.

[marv2]

For those really on a budget, I would imagine The Algiers Motel was an option.

The Algiers? I think it was one that was damaged in the '67 riots, but musicians that played the Fox stayed there back in the day.