Viking Motel

I chose the Viking Motel because I needed four nights in Detroit on a very tight budget, arriving very late Saturday night and leaving very early Wednesday morning in December 2025. I expected basic low-cost lodging, and the stay turned out very satisfactory, exceeding those expectations. The room was clean, quiet, and felt safe and secure. Downtown is within walking distance, freeway access is a short drive away, and there’s well-lit free parking beside the rooms. Across the street are a gas station with a small 7-11 style snack and drink shop, Subway takeout, and MotorCity Casino, which has several restaurants inside. Grand River Avenue is very wide, and the signalized crossing is a block away. During the day you can dash across from the motel driveway if you watch the traffic carefully, since it bunches up between traffic lights. Jay, the proprietor who lives on the property, brought fresh towels and coffee for me to make when I asked. Cable TV worked across several channels, and the microwave and refrigerator worked well. There wasn’t a well-lit desk or table for computer work, but I bring my own keyboard lighting. I also use my own wi-fi hot spot, so I didn’t try the motel’s wi-fi, which is said to be available. There’s no house phone in the room, but Jay gives guests his cell number to reach him. For an inexpensive place, the Viking Motel was a very good stay.

The rooms were clean, and everything was clean and working, though it’s not a new place. The beds are rock hard, but for a short stay that was fine. We stayed here last year for a pistons game, and it’s five blocks from the little ceasar arena. We could have a few drinks and walk back without worrying about parking in detroit. We’ll probably return for another game or a concert.

There’s a roomy common space where guests can grab coffee and chat, and the rooms are clean and spacious. It’s a really good budget motel, centrally placed and within walking distance of everywhere downtown. A real gem.

The nonstop dripping sink and hole in the bathroom door, like somebody had kicked through it, made the place feel concerning rather than fun and quirky. I’m usually fine with a dive motel and can even enjoy a good one, but there were flies all over the room, constantly landing on people, so relaxing wasn’t possible. I also didn’t feel safe. At a nearby jazz festival I asked a few police officers whether they thought it was okay to stay there. They said no in their professional opinion and suggested going farther up 8 mile to find a name-brand hotel. I left uneasy and disappointed, and wouldn’t recommend staying here.