Whittier Manor Senior Apartments

Pros

• The space is beautiful with gorgeous natural light.
• The valet is appropriately staffed, making it easy for guests.
• The caterer Touch of Class provides amazing food.
• The Whittier is a beautiful venue for weddings, baby showers, and receptions.
• Under new management, the venue has received a much-needed facelift and professional service.
• The staff are helpful, accommodating, and provide great service to clients.
• The venue offers a stunning setting with top-notch customer service.
• Guests have described experiences as excellent, noting professionalism and accommodation.

Cons

• The venue keeps the refundable cleaning fee and does not return it.
• The staff are rude, unresponsive to emails, and provide horrible customer service.
• They cancel or reschedule weddings at the last minute and do not provide refunds.
• They take money and then stop all communication.
• They do not refund deposits and are accused of scamming families during COVID.
• The venue is dirty and maintenance is poor (wrinkled linens, stains, inconvenient bar setup).
• There are safety hazards (half-inch floor elevation causing trips; lifting carpet).
• Infestation issues (fleas/bugs); the owner moved his own father because of the bugs.
• Do not book here or lease here.

Review

The Whittier draws a wide range of experiences from people who use it for weddings, showers, photoshoots, and other events. Some visitors sing its praises for its beauty, position, and versatility, while others flag safety, service, and financial handling that left them frustrated or angry. The venue repeatedly appears as a place that can be absolutely stunning and a joy to work with on a visual or ceremonial level, but it can also feel chaotic, unresponsive, or unfair in its policies and maintenance.

Several reviewers highlight the space itself as a saving grace. People gush about the "beautiful room with gorgeous natural light," noting that the setting is ideal for events and photographs. The location's historic charm and its downtown Detroit backdrop are repeatedly described as advantages, with some guests using it for weddings and capturing memorable bridal photos. A few comments point to positive, professional touches from staff and a sense that, when managed well, the Whittier can deliver a top-tier experience. One reviewer even credits new management with a fresh, professional tone and a "face lift" that improved the overall feel of the venue.

On the flip side, there are persistent complaints that undermine that appeal. A recurring thread concerns guest experience and safety: mentions of bar setup that forces guests to leave the banquet room to grab a drink, a noticeable half-inch elevation difference in the floor that led to trips, and carpet in hallways that is lifting and creates a hazard. Some review textures describe the linens as wrinkled and stained, noting that the staff was informed but no meaningful fixes were offered in time for events. One guest described the linens as something that "rolled out of bed," suggesting a lack of attention to detail in certain setups. Overall, these issues leave some clients feeling more stressed than celebrated, even when the venue's beauty is undeniable.

Another large cluster of feedback centers on management and refunds, especially in the COVID era. A number of reviewers allege that refunds were mishandled or outright denied. There are strong accusations that deposits and fees - such as a cleaning fee - were not returned, and that the venue's policies during the pandemic were harsh or inflexible. Several statements describe cancellations, postponements, and rescheduling as a recurring pattern, with some customers feeling forced into rescheduling rather than receiving timely refunds. The sentiment ranges from frustration to outright anger, with phrases like "scamming families," "do not book here," and "worst customer service" appearing in multiple reviews. The pandemic era is depicted as a particularly trying time, where contract terms and refunds became a battleground between the venue and its clients.

Yet there are also accounts of more conciliatory or hopeful experiences. Some guests recount positive interactions with the team, noting professional service, helpful staff, and a willingness to adapt. A number of reviews credit new management with improvements and express willingness to work with the venue again, praising the ongoing renovations, better communication, and more professional handling of events. In particular, several florid endorsements celebrate the venue's ability to host weddings and photo shoots successfully when the staff is responsive, engaged, and organized. The mixed narratives suggest a turning point for some guests who engaged after management changes, pointing to better collaboration, clearer guidance, and a more accommodating approach.

The Whittier's reputation is thus a blend of splendor and friction. For every glowing note about the space's beauty, natural light, and the capacity to host elegant events, there exists a counterpart lament about maintenance concerns, perceived indifference to guest comfort, and contentious refund practices. There are reviews that emphasize how the venue can be a remarkable venue with excellent catering partners and a supportive team, while others warn prospective couples and families to brace for inconsistent customer service, uncertain refunds, and potential safety concerns during fittings, setup, and even day-to-day operations. The presence of fleas, a specific allegation included in one review, along with the remark that a building's heating and hot water were not reliably available for residents, adds another layer to the broader cautionary picture - though it remains a claim from a single account and may not reflect all experiences.

In sum, The Whittier is a place of striking potential and stark contrasts. Its aesthetic appeal and capacity for memorable events are acknowledged by many, and some guests report highly positive experiences with new management and attentive staff. However, this beauty is consistently tempered by concerns about safety, cleanliness, and, most pointedly, the handling of refunds and cancellations during a challenging period. For anyone considering the Whittier, it may be wise to weigh the high-quality, visually impressive nature of the venue against the documented risks described by guests, verify current policies and practices, and ensure clear, written arrangements that address refunds, fees, and service expectations before committing.

Pharmacies

• Indian Village Market (0.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Shoppers Drug Mart (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Shoppers Drug Mart (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Charles Church (0.6 miles)
• St John's Presbyterian Church (2.2 miles)
• Grosse Pointe United Methodist Church (6.2 miles)
• St Joan Of Arc Church (8.2 miles)
• Heritage Park Alliance Church (8.5 miles)

Parks

• Belle Isle Park (1.1 miles)
• Valade Park (2 miles)
• William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor (2.4 miles)
• Matthew C Patterson Park (3 miles)
• Windmill Pointe Park (3.1 miles)
• Lakewood Park (6.5 miles)
• Palmer Park (8.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Atwater Block Brewery (1.9 miles)
• Joseph's Coney Island (2 miles)
• McDonald's (3 miles)
• Elwood Bar & Grill (3.1 miles)
• Detroit Athletic Club (3.2 miles)
• The Skip (3.2 miles)
• Detroit Opera House (3.3 miles)

Physicians

• Childrens Hospital Of Michigan Specialty Center - Detroit (3.2 miles)
• University Health Center (3.4 miles)
• Windsor Regional Hospital (3.8 miles)

Hospitals

• DMC Heart Hospital (3.3 miles)
• Detroit Receiving Hospital (3.3 miles)
• Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute (3.5 miles)
• Harper University Hospital (3.5 miles)
• Hudson-Webber Cancer Research (3.5 miles)
• Hfhs - Main - F4 (4.9 miles)
• Henry Ford Hospital (5 miles)

Cafes

• The Bean Bar (3.5 miles)
• Tim Hortons (4.5 miles)
• Tim Hortons (4.6 miles)
• Tim Hortons (6.6 miles)
• Tim Hortons (6.9 miles)