Metro Detroit’s newest luxury property, Daxton Hotel, redefines the Michigan getaway.
Heath Kane’s “Légende” hangs in a parlor, which is frequently the backdrop to intimate private events.
Detroit is evolving—the nickname “America’s Comeback City” has even been thrown around this once-crumbling, now-thriving metropolis in recent years. And the city’s northern suburb of Birmingham only levels up the appeal of a luxe Michigan adventure.
“Floral Scrim” by artist Ouizi, who is known for her large-scale floral mural installations
Birmingham has long been Detroit’s trendy younger cousin, and it’s currently in the midst of a face-lift of its own. Here, just about a half-hour drive outside the city, Maseratis and Lamborghinis line the streets; RH has broken ground on a new atelier; and the local coffee shop is a swanky Starbucks Reserve. And perhaps the most exciting newcomer is luxury hotel Daxton—the 151-room brainchild of entrepreneur and lifelong Birmingham resident Mark Mitchell.
Adrian Landon’s golden horse commands the spotlight in the lobby.
Upon arrival, guests are immediately immersed in the Daxton experience, which begins with impeccably personalized service, a preview of the property’s extravagant design and, most notably, a peek at Daxton’s world-class art collection. Curated by Saatchi Art, an eclectic collection of mixed-media works populate the property, offering guests the opportunity to experience fine art without having to step outside. A handcarved, 9-foot-tall pink bunny sculpture by California-based artist Roark Gourley, who created a work at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; a golden horse sculpture, which gallops in place at the touch of a button, by Adrian Landon, best known for creating a mythological horse artwork spanning 35 feet tall and wide for Burning Man; and more than 400 other cutting-edge pieces make Daxton a refreshing hospitality anomaly.
At Madam, “Heliodor A” and “Heliodor B” by Karin Vermeer complement the eatery’s exquisite fare
Fine dining is also central to Daxton’s quickly found success. Helmed by executive chef Rece Hogerheide, who cooked at the James Beard Award gala in 2019, the hotel’s 90-seat restaurant, Madam, offers unmatched culinary expressions. The menu reflects Hogerheide’s emphasis on seasonality and freshness, and his mission to support local purveyors. Dishes such as Forbidden Rice (a zesty fusion of spicy pork sausage, wild shrimp, leeks, farm egg yolk and chives), wagyu ribeye and Green Circle chicken (complemented by preserved lemon, caper, smashed potato and chile) pair excellently with one of Madam’s signature cocktails or a bottle suggested by the eatery’s sommelier.
The Daxton is quickly cementing itself as Birmingham’s—and one of Detroit’s—crown jewels. “The Daxton Hotel sets itself apart from other hotels by how we make our guests feel,” says marketing manager Josh Griffin. “People will forget what is said to them, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” Whether for work or play, a getaway to Daxton is one that leaves guests yearning for more. 298 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, Mich.
Photography by: PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAXTON HOTEL
