Thanks to the combination of cost, activities, location and comfort, there’s no better hotel in Detroit for families than the Courtyard Downtown.

The availability of large rooms and suites allow bigger families to stay in a single room together; the large indoor pool (something of a rarity in Detroit hotels) is both fun and situated up high overlooking the famous Renaissance Center cylinder-shaped skyscrapers, the Detroit river and Windsor Ontario Canada; and the elevated public transit system People Mover stops inside the hotel.

Guest Room with 1 King + Sofa Bed
A sizeable standard room (392 square feet) with a sofa so striking that an only child may ask to sleep on it without the sofa bed being pulled out. Connecting king rooms are not available, but a crib and/or rollaway bed is.

Each room has a mini-refrigerator, 37-inch flat screen TV, and free Wi-Fi that actually zooms unlike some hotel Wi-Fi signals.

Guest Room with 2 Queens
With two queens, this 392-square-foot room loses the sofa bed in favor of a chair and ottoman. Connecting rooms are available as are mobility accessible rooms with roll in showers.

One crib and/or rollaway bed is also permitted and each room has a mini-refrigerator, 37-inch flat screen TV, and free Wi-Fi.

Executive Larger Room with 1 King + Sofa Bed
This slightly larger room (420 sq feet) offers families a bit more space to spread out with the sofa bed unfolded and a crib or rollaway bed tucked in, too.

No accessible larger rooms are available, but each room has a mini-refrigerator, 37-inch flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi.

Suite with 1 King + Sofa Bed
The suites are massive, with a living room area separated by a privacy wall. The living room features a sofa bed, large desk and a comfortable chair and still has plenty of room for a rollaway bed.

The master bedroom features a flat-screen TV and a sitting area with two chairs and a large bathroom with an adjoining changing area. A small kitchenette is tucked just inside the door and hallway.

Pool
The fourth floor pool is at the end of a long hallway past the spacious fitness area. It is a large indoor pool in the corner of the building with sweeping views of the iconic GM Renaissance Center skyscrapers, the Detroit river, Canada and, if you crane your neck a bit, Joe Louis Arena and the Cobo Convention Center (home of the famed Detroit Auto Show). There are plenty of chairs for mom and dad to relax while the kiddos splash, lots of towels, and a hot tub, too.

Courtyard Cafe
This is standard lobby-style hotel dining with a bar and TVs nearby. Nothing fancy here, but should your kids be too pooped to venture back out for dinner, the Courtyard Café will sustain and refuel you nicely.

Delivery
Some local restaurants and pizza joints deliver. The front desk will supply you with information on your options.

In-Room Dining
A more creative than usual in-room dining room menu is available for room service orders from 5 to 11 p.m., meaning breakfast will have to be in the Café, a quick bite from the 7-11 convenience store 3 blocks away from the hotel, or at one of the tasty breakfast/brunch spots in Detroit.

All About the Extras
Pet Policy
Unfortunately, pets are not welcome at the Courtyard Detroit Downtown.

Parking
Valet parking is available for $23 per day, but cheaper options (especially on weekends) are available at parking garages within 1 to 2 blocks around the back of the hotel.

Laundry
Coin-operated washers and dryers are available in the hotel.

Market
There's a small market for drinks, snacks, local newspapers, etc. located inside the hotel's building, but just outside the hotel's doors off the side of the lobby.

WiFi
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and in the rooms and it is lightning quick unlike many hotels.

Fitness Center
This is one of the more spacious fitness centers we've seen in any hotel. There are multiple pieces of each type of equipment facing the same stunning view the pool enjoys. There's also a TV area for kids to watch morning cartoons while you get your workout in.

The Art of Smart Timing
You have to truly LOVE Detroit (and be a little bit crazy) to visit in the dead of winter [raises hand!] so we recommend a late spring or summer getaway to the Motor City instead, when outdoor life along the Riverfront and on Belle Isle comes alive and you can walk a few blocks without multiple layers of clothing, hand warmers and STILL be freezing cold.

The prices of rooms at the Courtyard will reflect the off-peak and peak demand of winter vs. warmer travel to the D.

Getting There
The Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport is located a good distance (23-plus miles from downtown locations) from the city with no reliable or quick public transportation option available to travel between the two. All of the major car rental companies are at the airport.

Getting Around
Thanks to the People Mover location inside the Courtyard, families will be able to zoom around downtown Detroit safely, comfortably and affordably, and have a lot of fun for the kids at the same time.

The Courtyard is also an easy walk from many of Detroit's top downtown sites, including Joe Louis Arena, the Guardian Building and some wonderful restaurants (Townhouse, most notably).

For Mom and Dad
The hot tub is calling out for mom and dad while the kids play in the pool.