The end of an era became the beginning of the next chapter for a historic hotel in Dearborn, Michigan, when it reopened its doors in March 2025. The Dearborn Inn, famously known for being built by Henry Ford in 1931, closed to the public on February 1, 2023, for extensive renovations, which brought new life into the walls of the legendary building.
Longtime guests wondered what the remodel would look like for the Georgian-style property and waited two years before the big reveal. They were finally welcomed back on March 19 to some noticeable adjustments to the 135-key hotel as part of the Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection, per a press release highlighting the revival that was shared with Travelbinger. But what does the renovation mean for the building’s legacy after standing tall in its original form for nearly 100 years?
What Changed at the Historic Dearborn Inn?
According to the press release, Ford Land Design Team and their collaborators AvroKO, Dash Design, Kraemer Design Group, and restoration architect Quinn Evans “meticulously” elevated the almost century-old property’s design and amenities, being careful to maintain its historic elements. They also had to comply with Michigan’s historic preservation guidelines, which require a certificate of appropriateness for all restorations, and the laws under the National Historic Preservation Act, signed in 1966 to preserve procedural protections of historic sites (via National Park Service).
Additionally, the Ford family requested that little be altered to the Dearborn Inn “to maintain the character and integrity” of the hotel, as stated in the press release. This meant keeping the checkerboard Italian marble flooring, personally selected by Ford, upon entering the building. Also, the green marble fireplace in the lobby was restored and protected, as was an original antique clock.
“Edsel [Ford’s only son with his wife Clara] was extremely passionate about the black-and-white marble tile in the lobby, so that was carefully preserved, as well as the gold antique clock that is mounted above the corridor that leads to the elevators,” Jennifer Kolstad, global design and brand director at Ford Motor Company revealed to Travel + Leisure shortly before the opening about maintaining the building’s original design.
Other subtle touches were added, including displays of artifacts from the Ford archives, which featured a scrapbook with letters from former guests who honeymooned at the inn and vintage hotel menus. Platner chairs and pieces from local artisans are also now fixtures in the lobby, as well as a vintage bar cart for serving coffee, cocktails, and refreshments to Dearborn Inn guests. However, the renovations weren’t limited to the hotel’s communal spaces, as the rooms also got a considerable makeover. As per the press release, this includes a four-poster walnut bed and Eames chairs in each, Ford Pantone blue tiles covering the bathrooms, and various artwork “inspired by the company archives.”
One of the more prominent additions is the 19 suites and a grand Presidential Suite, involving a living room, kitchenette, and dining area, now available to guests. According to the Dearborn Inn website, standard room rates cost as low as $350 per night, and each room comes with a personalized voicemail for guests to feel invited and comfortable.
Updated Dining Areas
The hotel’s restaurant, Clara’s Table, particularly pays homage to Clara, not only with the name but the stellar menu, featuring American cuisine influenced by her and Henry’s travels around the world. The Dearborn Inn Executive Chef Elliot Patti also incorporates fresh food from the on-site garden, showcasing Clara’s known passion for gardening and as another tribute to the horticulturalist. The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with an array of homemade pastries, sandwiches, salads, Short Rib, Prime NY steak, desserts, and other delicacies, as per their menu listed on the Dearborn Inn website.
For those who fancy a nightcap at the hotel bar, Four Vagabonds has a list of beers and craft cocktails and an overall vibe that, according to the press release, “channels the spirit of the legendary road trips taken by Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, John Burroughs, and Harvey Firestone in the early 1900s.” The menu also includes small plates to be enjoyed indoors or around the campfire. Guests are also encouraged to take advantage of the inn’s private dining room, which accommodates up to 20 people, who would each get curated meals by Chef Patti based on their dietary preferences.
The Effects of Remodeling a Decades-Old Property
Much thought and close attention to detail went into the transformation of the Dearborn Inn, and that’s the case when renovating any historic landmark, especially to keep its original charm. Vijay Goel, entrepreneur and co-owner of lavish wedding and events venue 440 Elm in Long Beach, California — formerly an over 110-year-old church — gave us insight into the process of remodeling such a prized venue without hurting its age-old qualities.
“Generally, the remodel/adaptive reuse takes a building that has seen better days and brings it back to the peak of its former glory and adds elements that make it more usable and distinctive to shape the experience for future generations,” Goel explained. In his case, the “lightly attended” church was repurposed for a broader use that now holds 900 people for a performance event and 400 for a wedding.
A similar remodel happened to the iconic Surf Club in Miami, Florida, which was transformed into a luxury Four Seasons hotel in January 2023. Former Congressman Patrick E. Murphy, who is also an executive at Coastal Construction, the company behind the project, shared an Instagram video in March 2025 about the complexities of the remodel, which included building above the club while protecting the historic structure on the ground level. Additionally, Murphy mentioned that they excavated underneath the club for hotel parking, all while preserving the beloved Surf Club, which first opened its doors on New Year’s Eve in 1930, as per an article in Ocean Drive explaining the complicated renovation.
The Old and New Dearborn Inn
For many, the memories of the original Dearborn Inn could never be forgotten. The site was one of the nation’s first airport hotels, built across from the former Ford Airport. It was inspired by the New England Hotels that Henry and Clara frequented and was visited by notable names such as Walt Disney, Orville Wright, Norman Rockwell, Eleanor Roosevelt, and President Ronald Reagan, according to the press release.
Guests can also look forward to more updates to come soon, including the addition of five colonial-style stand-alone homes with 18 guest rooms and suites nodding to famous past visitors and literary icons like Edgar Allan Poe and Walt Whitman. It will also feature 17,000 square feet of event space for up to 850 guests for larger groups to enjoy.
Less than a month since the Dearborn Inn’s reopening, there’s already been an overwhelmingly positive response from the community. Carley Schaar, who had her wedding at the hotel in its former state, revealed her reaction to the makeover in a social media message. “I was sad because my wedding was the last weekend before the renovations,” she said. “But I was excited to see what they have done, and from the pictures that I have seen, it is beautiful.”
Steve Goodrich, another devoted guest who created lasting memories at the original Dearborn Inn and has visited the hotel following its reopening, told us in another online post: “The Dearborn Inn is special to my wife and I as we were married and held a reception there in 1998. [The renovations] are in the style it was back then.” He also added that a particularly nice feature is that guests can print a souvenir ticket for a flight on a Ford Trimotor, one of the first all-metal airplanes (via Federal Aviation Administration).
To experience the new and improved Dearborn Inn, book your stay on their website here. You can also visit one of the many attractions in Downtown Detroit and the nearby Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.