Detroit Hotel Says City's Bankruptcy Filing May Be Spurring Business

DETROIT (WWJ) - One of Detroit's signature hotels says the city's bankruptcy filing has not hurt business; in fact, it's just the opposite because it actually may have helped.

According to Shonda Johnson, area general manager at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center, reservations have not dropped off since the filing.

"Here at the hotel, we have not had any negative impact as a result of the bankruptcy," Johnson told WWJ's City Beat Reporter Vickie Thomas.

"As a matter of fact, we have had a couple groups say that they booked with us as a result of the bankruptcy and because they did want to support the city of Detroit."

Johnson said she believes it's an opportunity for Detroit to reinvent itself.

"You know, once you get through it, you come out of it on the other side, and the city's just really gonna be prepared to take off from there."

The Detroit Marriott is getting set to undergo a $30 million makeover starting in February.