Former Kingsley opens as Double Tree Hilton

Photos: DoubleTree Bloomfield Hills Detroit

The former Kingsley Inn on Woodward in Bloomfield Hills has been completely transformed and redone, and is ready to reopen in late December as Double Tree by Hilton Bloomfield Hills.

Owned by Zaid Elia, CEO and founder, The Elia Group, and Matt Shiffman, CEO, Alden Development Group, the new boutique hotel is scheduled to officially reopen Friday, December 28, general manager William Bornheimer said.

The hotel, first opened in 1959, underwent a complete renovation over a year and nine months, Bornheimer said. “They kept the shell and did a full gut renovation,” he said. “It's a new building within an old building.”

“We're thrilled to welcome guests to Double Tree by Hilton Bloomfield Hills Detroit, with its ideal central location and boutique feel,” Elia said. “Guests at our beautiful new hotel can expect world-class service and hospitality conveniently located in the heart of metro Detroit's business and nightlife corridors.”

“The Kingsley was the place to be seen, the place to stay, and the place to hold a celebration; truly the bees' knees,” said Shiffman. “I would like to think we restored the property to its once world-class level from 1959 and now far beyond as we bring to market another option for people to stay, dine, celebrate and depend on.”

Renovation costs were in excess of $20 million for the 144-room hotel, which has a new two-story atrium lobby, business center, luxury suites, and a cocktail lounge in the lobby called The Duke, named for John Wayne. Bornheimer said it will offer craft cocktails, rare whiskeys, Scotch flights and small bites, and features a “beautiful original piece of art from the movie 'True Grit.'”

He described the hotel as “modern but approachable chic. We've curated everything, down to a signature scent, where you'll be reminded of the Double Tree Bloomfield.

“The ownership group focused on the glitz and shine as well as the foundation, the operation as well as how the hotel will operate for many, many years,” Bornheimer said, who managed several hotels in New York and is a graduate of Michigan State's School of Hospitality Business.

As a nod to its history, they kept the Kingsley name in a newly created courtyard in the back, to be called the Kingsley Courtyard.

“It's redeveloped completely, with a bluestone patio, patio furniture, two fire pits, and cocktails to be served out there in an outdoor lounge,” Bornheimer said. “In warmer months, we'll add them as a fun and creative environment.

Zalman's Delicatessen, in the former Deli Unique location, is a “classic New York-style deli, real old school,” Bornheim said, serving three meals a day, from classic plates of smoked salmon, whitefish and house-cured lox, breakfast dishes, soups, market salads, deli sandwiches, dinner entrees and desserts. He believes Zalman's will open in mid-December.

Joe Muer's Seafood, which has been open on the property for almost two years, is a leased restaurant, and there is an entrance from the hotel.