The Shorecrest Motor Inn

Ended up here booking a «3-​star» hotel on Hotwire. This place is a 2-​star at best.
The location is excellent, a block from the bike rental place on the Riverwalk and a short walk to everything downtown. The Clique restaurant in the hotel rules.
I’m really, really, not picky. I love simple, basic motels, and never really do much more than sleep and shower in them. However, the deeply ingrained scent of smoke was terrible, and a dealbreaker. The only other place I’ve experienced anything like this was also in Detroit, at the Corktown Inn. There were no insulated cups to go with the coffee maker, and initially no full-​sized towels in the room to boot.

For the hell of it, I called Shorecrest the morning of the big Jimmy Buffet concert this past July, and shockingly, they had two rooms available (recent cancellations) so I took them, both! One slept 6, the other 8… haha… Both under $ 100. Definitely sketchy rooms, old smoke smells, but seriously right downtown! Cab rides were less than $ 10. I would stay here again, in a pinch, or to save a buck due to it’s fantastic location. I’m not sure I’d hang out at the room, or party… but it was fine for what we needed it to be, a place to crash, and park our cars… why bother with the other BS when you can just stay here… DO IT! :-)

We were in the motor City for 2 nights and stayed at this property. It is a family run operation. Check in and out were quick. The property is older but clean and within walking distance to Ford Field, Comerica Pk, Cobo Hall ect. THe room could use a makeover but as indicated was clean with fridge, air condt, and not far from the room a well stocked ice machine. Staff always had a smile and were able to give directions. THey have a diner style restaurant on the main floor that serves up great food and a good value. Yes We would stay at this property again.

It’s the place to be when your attending DEMF (Detroit Music Festival). It’s cheap, our bathroom tub was huge for all thos late night sex parties, and the diner below serves up some midwest breakfasts. All the cabbies know where it is when you need that 5 am ride home from The Works or need to get picked up to go to Old Miami at 7 am. It’s sleazy, easy, and to the point. Hopefully you won’t get stuck next to the tweeker guy we did last time. He was more cracked out than half of San Francisco. The ladies at the front desk are there every year and it’s only thirty bucks more to stay and sleep that extra late afternoon on Monday when your finally coming down. Unlimited towels and a few block walk to the festival. You can even get a forty and chicken wigs two blocks the oppposite way of the festival. It’s worth the walk to get booze to drink on the way. The 9 dollar Labbats beers at the festival suck. Get drunk at the hotel first. Reserve early for the festival. This hidden gem sells out fast!

You don’t really go to the Shorecrest for luxury — you go there because of the ambiance. I’ve been staying at this spot for the last 5+ years, religiously, when I am in town for the Detroit Electronic Music Festival (or whatever it is called from year to year). Despite all the hassle they have to deal with from rowdy out-​of-​towner electronic music aficionados, the staff at the Shorecrest is incredibly kind and patient. It brings a smile to my face every year when I make the usual call to reserve rooms and the woman at the front desk asks me if I want to book for my brother as well; yes, she remembers us every time.
I have much love for this spot, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re looking for somewhere more upscale. It’s a decent (and safe) walk from all the festivities in Hart Plaza and the rest of downtown Detroit. There is a café inside called The Clique, which is decent, but we usually prefer to drive down the road a bit to the Motown Café and Grill.
Rates are stupidly cheap, but they tend to jack them up for DEMF weekend — be warned to book far in advance as the rooms fill very quickly.

The ‘Crest! Definitely not a luxury hotel, but it’s a Detroit mainstay. Extremely convenient during DEMF weekend. The people that work there are firm with you, but ultimately nice. One thing that may annoy some people is the old cigarette smoke smell in many of the rooms. Be sure to be clear with them that you want a non-​smoking room when you reserve.
And I can’t forget The Clique! Cheap, greasy and probably one of the best breakfasts in The D.