Dearborn’s Ritz-Carlton Becomes ‘Henry’ Hotel
Dearborn’s Ritz hotel will now be known as the Henry hotel, according to media reports.
We’re not sure how The Henry Ford feels about having a hotel that sounds an awful lot like their museum but the new sign at the hotel is expected to go up today.
For one of several stories written about this, you can click HERE.
June 4th, 2010 at 6:21 am
Perhaps I’m wrong here, as I understand what the new Ritz owners are trying to do with the name “The Henry” as in “The Henry Ford”, but I still prefer “The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village”. The Henry Hotel, in my opinion sounds somewhat somewhat strange to me and how many people coming into Dearborn know what “The Henry” means?
June 4th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
It is my understanding that The Henry is a new upscale brand that Marriott is starting up. The way I see it a hotel called The Henry is better than a vacant hotel.
June 4th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Now traveling business people can come and get a “wank” at the “Hank.”
June 4th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
A hotel’s namesake needn’t be relevant, or even remotely related, to the area in which it’s located. How many people know what Waldorf-Astoria means? Or for that matter, who knows what The Hyatt means?
To the contrary, The Henry actually does have some local relevance. I would assume that most people looking to stay in the city either are here to visit The Henry Ford or on auto industry business. In the cases of both demographics, I assume they would know that Dearborn is the hometown of Henry Ford, or at the very least, that Ford Motor Company (synonymous with H.F.) is headquartered here.
Of course, there is also the fact that whoever books a hotel nowadays does it through the Web and a search for “The Henry” will undoubtedly include periphery information about what it means.
That being said, I think this unknown group of investors made a helluva play. They bought a luxury business hotel in an area where business is stagnant, so they got it for a song. And now, from the sounds of it, they are going to reorient all that luxury and upscale appeal to attract patrons of one of the area’s few strong economic spots — tourism.
What will be interesting to see is how The Henry will compete with the Dearborn Inn. One would think the Inn would be the favorite of the historical tourism crowd given it’s historic aesthetic and proximity to THF. Perhaps the fire sale price of the Ritz will allow for The Henry to have commensurately lower rates?
What I’m wondering is, who at Marriott decided it would be a good idea to have two Marriott properties within a mile of each other seemingly competing for the same business? Or is there a market they’re targeting that I’m not seeing here?
June 4th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
What everyone says makes sense to me. Thanks for making me look at it from a different perspective.
June 4th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
They’re going to be two different types of Marriott for two different types of clientele so I think they can coexist. The same thing exists downtown with the Marriott at the RenCen and the Courtyard by Marriott across the street at Millender Center.
I agree with Michael, “The Henry” sounds a little ridiculous. Just like “The Henry Ford” does.
June 5th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
I’d’ve preferred “The Conrad,” in honor of Conrad Ten Eyck, proprietor of the original Ten Eyck Tavern (located at Michigan and the Rouge River) and one of the first to offer professional hospitality in Dearborn.
June 6th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
I think JC hit the nail on the head. Its about creating a brand. Across the street is the glass house, with the great man’s last name in a blue oval on the wall. Sort of completes the thought. Let’s hope its a positive association for the potential guest.
Who knows if it will work, but I’m really happy that someone kept the hotel open, it was a great place for special occasions. Good Luck!
June 7th, 2010 at 8:38 am
Steve,
I like where you’re coming from on the Conrad name. I think it sounds more regal — befitting a luxury, boutique-style hotel — than “The Henry,” which, at first glance, does remind me somewhat of a certain chocolate confection (although I stand by what I said earlier about the target demographic understanding “The Henry” in the context of the locale). And the tie-in with the local lodging pioneer is nice.
Unfortunately, I can’t see J.W. Marriott Co. naming one of their hotels after the founder of one of their largest competitors, Conrad Hilton, even if it isn’t really named after Mr. Hilton. Of course there is always the trademark protection thing, too.
June 10th, 2010 at 1:49 am
As an official “outsider” at this point (but still in the Midwest), I’d lay money on the table that those outside of Dearborn or Detroit have absolutely no idea who “Henry” was.
June 12th, 2010 at 7:39 am
I don’t doubt that, LD. I bet 60-80% of Dearborn residents have absolutely no idea who “Dearborn” was!