With $35M in revamps, Ponchartrain reopens as Sheraton

One more downtown hotel has invested a significant amount of money into its appearance and amenities. After $35 million of upgrades, the Ponchartrain has freshly emerged as the Sheraton Detroit Riverside Hotel.

The construction of a two-story porte-cochere on Jefferson makes the hotel pedestrian-accessible to and from Cobo, Joe Louis Arena, Hart Plaza and the Detroit RiverWalk. There are plans to add outdoor seating for the hotel’s restaurant in the spring, and a full-service Starbucks will soon open, also with sidewalk seating.

All 367 guest rooms were renovated, as were the hotel’s common spaces, banquet and meeting rooms, lounge, restaurant, fitness center and indoor pool. A business center with five work stations called the Link @ Sheraton was also outfitted. Future plans include the construction of an enclosed walkway to Cobo.

General manager Paul Gjerpen acknowledges the increased competition in the downtown hotel market, but is confident in his property’s ability to attract guests. “We have our proximity to Cobo from the group side of things,” he says. “And we think most corporate travelers will not be staying at a casino hotel.”

Where the going will get tougher is when it comes to the pleasure-trippers. “There is going to be a lot more competition for the leisure traveler on the weekends,” says Gjerpen.

Source: Paul Gjerpen, Sheraton Detroit
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh