The time is right; the stage is set. Groups are ready to meet face to face again, and the four-star luxury hotel MGM Grand Detroit is ready to welcome you back.
According to MPI’s report “Spring 2021 Meetings Outlook,” three-quarters of meeting professionals predict a face-to-face event this calendar year. And that definitely rings true for Lisa Williams, executive director of sales for the hotel.
“We have seen a 400% increase in inquiries from our local and drive markets for events arriving within the next two – five months. The need to meet face to face and have a human connection is evident,” says Williams. “Our customers have returned with varying levels of comfort. With the MGM Resorts Health and Safety Commitment, which is an evolution of best-in-class preCOIVD-19 safety practices and lessons learned from COVID-19, we remain committed to pull through on our highest priority, which is the safety of our guests and team members.”
Last year, the resort-style hotel implemented strict protocols to ensure its upscale clientele and groups were comfortable and safe. The protocols included extensive employee training, enhanced sanitation, and rigorous measures to provide outside air circulation and in-room air filtration. In addition, the hotel implemented a number of contactless options for guests, including enabling them to complete the check-in process themselves from start to finish so that they can socially distance rather than wait in line.
“Certain routines that we have put it in place over the past year will remain as best practices, including enhanced cleanliness standards, well-being programs for our employees, shared accountability, and increased collaboration and communication,” says Williams.
Also what remains is MGM’s mission to entertain and provide unsurpassed experiences for its guests.
“Perhaps one of the most special benefits of MGM Grand Detroit is we are an urban resort located in the heart of a thriving city within walking distance to all that is happening in downtown Detroit. We offer on-site world-class 24-hour gaming, multiple dining options, a multi-award-winning hotel and spa, and plush lounges. Our newest addition debuted last fall: D.PRIME, a modern steakhouse and lounge with a classy yet approachable vibe, exceptional quality meats and seafood, an extensive wine and spirits list, and craft cocktails. D.PRIME has become a local favorite. It is now in close competition with our spa, IMMERSE, as a destination spot in and of itself,” says Williams.
MGM Grand Detroit has 400 rooms, including a collection of its “Stay Well” rooms that combine wellness technologies of Delos, the Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Deepak Chopra, such as aromatherapy and air purification.
In addition to D.PRIME and IMMERSE, the hotel’s amenities include a fully equipped fitness center, indoor infinity edge pool, Topgolf Swing Suite with virtual screen and arcade games, and dining options, including TAP Sports Bar, Breeze Dining Court and the Roasted Bean.
Located on the third level of the hotel tower, the Event Center offers 30,000 square feet of impressive meeting space, including a grand ballroom that can accommodate conferences or events of up to 1,200 guests, a 4,060-square-foot foyer, three breakout rooms for up to 90 individuals and two boardrooms that can accommodate up to 18 people. VIP events or private dining can also be held at one of the hotel’s restaurants.
There is no need to even leave the hotel for post-meeting group outings. After the agenda is done, groups can meet up again in one of the hotel’s lounges, such as AXIS Lounge, 32°, or BetMGM Sports Lounge. Or they can try their luck on the 150,000-plus-square-foot casino floor, which features MGM Grand Detroit’s Poker Room, 150-plus table games and 2,800 slot or video poker machines. The casino is smoke-free and the hotel is pet-friendly.
“For the meeting planner or social organizer who is looking for an approachable, yet plush, destination, centrally located, with all the amenities expected of a metropolitan resort, MGM Grand Detroit is the ideal choice,” says Williams.