Whittier Towers

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Pros

• The Whittier is a beautiful space with gorgeous natural light.
• The valet service is appropriately staffed, making guest arrivals smooth.
• Touch of Class provides amazing food.
• The venue is perfect for weddings, baby showers, and receptions.
• New management has given The Whittier a much-needed facelift and professional service.
• The staff are professional, helpful, and accommodating.
• Guests feel safe and well cared for thanks to clear COVID guidelines and health measures.
• The venue consistently earns high recommendations and praise from visitors.

Cons

• They don't care about residents; basic amenities like heat and hot water are unreliable.
• They cancel weddings at the last minute or reschedule and refuse refunds.
• They charged a refundable cleaning fee that has never been returned.
• They provide horrible, unresponsive customer service with rude staff.
• They scammed families out of deposits during Covid.
• The venue is dirty and poorly maintained, with safety hazards and neglect.
• They are a total rip-off; do not book or spend your money here.
• They ruin special moments by withholding refunds and poor communication.

Review

Whittier, the historic venue in downtown Detroit, elicits a wide spectrum of experiences from couples, families, and event planners. For many, the space itself is undeniably beautiful: a bright, airy room bathed in natural light, a scenic setting across the Detroit River, and a location that lends itself to stunning wedding and event photos. Several reviewers singled out the space as a highlight - great for weddings, baby showers, receptions, and even bridal showers - where the architectural charm and photo opportunities can make the experience feel special and memorable.

On the positive side, some aspects of planning and execution have been praised highly. The venue's staff and services appear to be a major selling point for many clients. There are enthusiastic notes about a well-staffed valet operation, which kept guests from running into parking hassles, and about an exceptional caterer, Touch of Class, whose food was described as amazing. A recurring compliment is directed at the on-site team's attentiveness during and after events, with some guests feeling that the staff helped things run smoothly, checked in with the party, and ensured a memorable experience. The improvements under new management have also been a frequent theme: several reviews claim the management has become more professional, responsive, and helpful, and that the venue has received a much-needed facelift since changes in leadership.

Nevertheless, the experience at Whittier is far from uniform, and a sizable portion of feedback centers on disappointments with customer service and financial policies. A number of guests describe "horrible" or "very poor" customer service, chronic unresponsiveness to emails and phone calls, and a pattern of communication lapses that left couples and planners frustrated. The pandemic era amplified concerns about refunds and deposits, with multiple reviewers recounting scenarios where deposits or payments were not refunded when events could not proceed as planned. Phrases like "they cancel your wedding arrangements last minute" and "no refunds" recur, painting a picture of a business that can be difficult to navigate when plans go awry. Some critics allege that the venue attempted to reschedule rather than provide refunds and that the overall customer empathy during COVID fell short of expectations.

There are specific logistical and maintenance issues that appear repeatedly in reviews. Several parties mention the bar setup forcing guests to leave the banquet room to obtain drinks, which was described as inconvenient and disruptive to the event flow. Others point to housekeeping and presentation problems, noting wrinkled table linens with stains, and advising guests to come prepared with irons or steamers. Safety concerns are also raised: a half-inch elevation difference in the floor was said to cause trips, and carpet in the hallways was described as lifting, creating potential trip hazards in high-traffic areas. Taken together, these comments emphasize that while the venue can be gorgeous, the execution on the day - and the physical state of several elements - can significantly affect the overall experience.

A thread that runs through a portion of the reviews touches on the broader relationship between management and residents or owners in connected properties. One review describes deplorable living conditions in a senior building, with complaints about water and heat outages that persisted even in cold Michigan weather. The author questions how residents are expected to pay rent when basic amenities like heat and hot water fail, and contrasts this with what they perceive as a different priority given to lavish events and bookings. While this grievance is distinct from the wedding and event experiences, it underscores a recurring theme: concerns about property management, reliability, and responsiveness can color perceptions of the venue and its leadership, even for guests visiting for celebrations.

The Whittier's story, then, is not black and white. For some clients, it is a dream venue - beautiful, photogenic, and capable of supporting elegant celebrations with attentive service and strong catering. For others, the experience is marred by inconsistent communications, contested refunds, and practical maintenance issues that can undermine what should be a seamless event. The best approach for anyone considering Whittier is to weigh these mixed experiences carefully: confirm the current refund and rescheduling policies, clarify who handles linens and bar arrangement logistics, inspect the space for safety factors before signing, and discuss post-event cleanup and any potential fees in writing. The venue's undeniable charm remains, but so do the warnings from those who have encountered less-than-ideal outcomes when plans shifted, budgets tightened, or expectations met the realities of execution.

This area of Detroit, Michigan offers a variety of amenities and services that would be beneficial for senior living. There are several places of worship nearby, such as St Charles Church and St John's Presbyterian Church, providing spiritual support and community engagement. Pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy are easily accessible for medication needs. The numerous parks in the area, including Belle Isle Park and William G. Milliken State Park, offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and leisure activities. Additionally, there are several dining options available, from Joseph's Coney Island to Elwood Bar & Grill, providing convenient choices for meals. With hospitals like Detroit Receiving Hospital and Henry Ford Hospital in close proximity, residents have access to quality healthcare facilities. Overall, this neighborhood offers a diverse range of resources to support a comfortable and fulfilling senior lifestyle.

Places of Worship

• St Charles Church (0.7 miles)
• St John's Presbyterian Church (2.3 miles)
• Grosse Pointe United Methodist Church (6.1 miles)
• St Joan Of Arc Church (7.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Indian Village Market (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Shoppers Drug Mart (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.3 miles)

Parks

• Belle Isle Park (1.9 miles)
• Valade Park (2.3 miles)
• William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor (2.6 miles)
• Matthew C Patterson Park (3.3 miles)
• Windmill Pointe Park (3.6 miles)
• Palmer Park (7.2 miles)
• Lakewood Park (7.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Joseph's Coney Island (2.1 miles)
• Atwater Block Brewery (2.2 miles)
• McDonald's (2.6 miles)
• Subway (2.9 miles)
• Elwood Bar & Grill (3.1 miles)
• Fowling Warehouse (3.1 miles)
• Detroit Athletic Club (3.1 miles)

Physicians

• Childrens Hospital Of Michigan Specialty Center - Detroit (2.9 miles)
• University Health Center (3 miles)
• Windsor Regional Hospital (4.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Detroit Receiving Hospital (2.9 miles)
• DMC Heart Hospital (3 miles)
• Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute (3.1 miles)
• Harper University Hospital (3.1 miles)
• Hudson-Webber Cancer Research (3.1 miles)
• Hfhs - Main - F4 (4.3 miles)
• Henry Ford Hospital (4.4 miles)

Cafes

• The Bean Bar (3.6 miles)
• Tim Hortons (5.4 miles)
• Tim Hortons (5.5 miles)
• Tim Hortons (7.5 miles)
• Tim Hortons (7.8 miles)