A beloved chapter in Michigan’s hospitality legacy turns a new page this spring. The historic Dearborn Inn, a crown jewel of Ford family heritage and midwestern elegance, reopened its grand doors on March 19, fully restored and newly aligned with Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection. Following a sweeping renovation that honors nearly a century of history while adding elevated design and modern amenities, the Inn is once again poised to welcome dreamers, dignitaries, and design lovers alike.
Originally built in 1931 by Henry Ford and designed by the legendary Albert Kahn, often hailed as “the architect of Detroit,” the Dearborn Inn holds deep roots in both architectural and automotive history. With iconic projects like the Ford Rouge Factory, Highland Park Plant, and Eleanor Ford House under his belt, Kahn crafted the 135-room Georgian-style inn as a sanctuary of refinement just steps from the now-defunct Ford Airport—making it one of the country’s first airport hotels.
Over the decades, the inn became a cherished haven for cultural icons and changemakers—Walt Disney, Orville Wright, Norman Rockwell, Eleanor Roosevelt, and President Ronald Reagan, to name a few—who came to Dearborn to connect with Ford or collaborate on groundbreaking ideas. Now, thanks to an intricate restoration effort led by Ford Land’s design team, Ford Motor Company’s archives, the Ford family, and renowned partners like AvroKO, Dash Design, Kraemer Design Group, and Quinn Evans, the inn is ready to inspire a new generation of guests.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1982, the Dearborn Inn has been painstakingly restored with reverence for its past and a keen eye toward the future. Every detail—down to the checkerboard Italian marble flooring that Henry Ford hand-selected—has been thoughtfully preserved or revived. Inside the restored lobby, guests will find a striking green marble fireplace, an original antique clock, and an eclectic mix of Michigan-made furniture that speaks to the state’s storied legacy in craftsmanship and design. A curated selection of artifacts from the Ford Archives, assembled by art advisors Farmboy, adds texture to the story. There’s even a revamped vintage phone booth, now a nostalgic photo op designed to mimic the historic Ford Tri-Motor airplane—a playful nod to the inn’s aviation origins.
From the moment guests check in, the Dearborn Inn becomes more than a hotel—it becomes a sensory journey through time. Corridors are lined with tapestries inspired by the textile work of Loja Saarinen, echoing Cranbrook Academy’s dedication to artistic innovation. Guest rooms feature stately four-poster walnut beds, Eames chairs, and thoughtful design touches like Ford-blue tiles in the bathrooms, open sketchbooks for creative musings, and personalized voicemail greetings to make each stay feel warm and intentional. The inn also features 19 suites, including the grand Presidential Suite, complete with a living room, kitchenette, and dining area for guests looking for a luxe, residential-style experience. Come summer 2025, the property will introduce five standalone colonial-style homes, each housing themed guest suites inspired by literary icons and notable figures such as Edgar Allan Poe and Walt Whitman.
Dining at the Dearborn Inn is a full-bodied celebration of taste and tradition. Clara’s Table, the hotel’s signature restaurant, pays homage to Clara Jane Bryant Ford, Henry’s wife and a passionate horticulturist. Executive Chef Elliot Patti, a seasoned culinary artist with experience as a private chef and at Detroit’s Atheneum Suite Hotel, has crafted a menu rooted in elevated Americana cuisine—Royale Custard French Toast, Short Rib Croquettes, Cipollini & Pear Tatin, and a Prime NY Strip served with tallow and herb frites. Seasonal ingredients from Michigan’s top producers keep the menu fresh and ever-evolving, and herbs plucked straight from the onsite chef’s garden reflect Clara’s love for growing and gathering. The dining space is bright and lush, with arched windows, blooming florals, and green marble accents echoing the original materials restored throughout the inn.
Guests craving something more intimate can visit Four Vagabonds, a moody cocktail lounge inspired by the epic road trips of Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, and John Burroughs. The bar evokes the cozy sophistication of Ford’s personal study, serving small plates reminiscent of rustic fireside fare—smoked meats, pickled vegetables, and classic American bites with a modern twist. Local beers and inventive cocktails, like the Georgia Bound (Fords Gin, Michigan honey, lemon, peach, rosemary, orange bitters) and the Smoky Trail (a mezcal-forward take on a mule), round out the experience with a nod to the Vagabonds’ adventurous spirit.
For special occasions, the inn offers a private dining room inspired by Clara Ford’s gracious hospitality. Designed to host up to 20 guests, the space is adorned with a mural from Detroit artist Ryan Herberholz and features fully customized dining experiences with leather-bound menu keepsakes. Chef Patti works directly with guests to craft menus that blend tradition with creativity, ensuring that each gathering feels personal and unforgettable.
General Manager Joleisha Bradley describes the newly restored Dearborn Inn as both a welcoming retreat and a living museum. “From the moment guests step through our doors, we want them to feel inspired by the history that surrounds them and by the trailblazers who once walked these halls,” she says. “The hotel is both a welcoming retreat and living museum, with historic artifacts woven throughout the property. We look forward to continuing the tradition of hospitality that has made Dearborn Inn so beloved.”
Later this year, the inn will unveil the next phase of its transformation: five colonial-style homes offering 18 additional guest rooms and 17,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space designed to accommodate up to 850 guests for weddings, conferences, and social gatherings.
Dearborn Inn now joins Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection, a global portfolio of more than 300 independent hotels, each selected for its design, character, and unique story. As part of the Marriott Bonvoy family, guests can earn and redeem points for their stay and enjoy perks like mobile check-in and personalized service through the Marriott Bonvoy app.
Located just steps away from the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village, and a short drive from downtown Detroit—recently named one of the top travel destinations for 2025 by both The New York Times and Travel + Leisure—the Dearborn Inn is ready to welcome a new generation of visitors eager to experience a piece of living history.
Rates start at $350 per night. For more information or to reserve a stay, visit www.marriott.com/dtwdk.
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