Hand of Lebanese entrepreneur guides rebirth of historic landmark

DETROIT—As the city anticipates the opening of the new MGM Grand Detroit Casino next week (barring a shutdown of state government over the budget chaos), another upscale hotel is working to regain recognition as one of Detroit’s premier luxury attractions.

The newly renovated Hotel St. Regis was closed for about a year by its owners at the recommendation of general manager Fadi Achour, who was hired to revitalize the hotel.

Fadi Achour

“Over the years it’s gone downhill. We’re trying to bring it back,” Achour said.

Achour has become well known for starting and managing award-winning restaurants and hotels in New York, California and Detroit, including the acclaimed Seldom Blues jazz restaurant in the Renaissance Center.

The St. Regis reopened in August after a $4 million renovation managed by Achour. He hopes now to get it back to the four-star level. He said decades ago it was the most expensive hotel in the country per square footage, known for hosting the rich and famous .

Achour offered tours of the revamped hotel suites this week during a Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce function held in the hotel’s Motown-themed Cajun restaurant La Musique.

Unique color schemes and extravagant furniture fill the rooms, which start at $169 per night.

Achour said the goal was to bring elegance back to the hotel, while keeping it hip and not too stuffy.

Next year he plans to begin another phase of reconstruction of another part of the hotel, adding condos, extended stay rooms and a spa.

Having built and transformed successful restaurants and hotels across the country, Achour continues to be courted by entrepreneurs to manage new ventures, but he said he plans to stay put for now to finish his current project.

“This is going to keep me busy for a while.”

He attributes his success to his attention to detail and patience for long-term investment.

He said that he’s often noticed bad service and a lack of quality fixtures in many local Arab American restaurants, even when the food is good.

“If you look around in our community, I haven’t seen any Arab restaurants that pay attention to training and quality. They don’t pay attention to china, silver, linen… They don’t see value in that. It’s not just about the food. They don’t look at the value of long term investment. You’ve got to invest in training. You’ve got to invest in people.”

Achour came to the U.S. at age 21 in 1978 and studied management in California while working as a busboy before becoming known as a hospitality guru around the country.

In March he was featured as an “American Dreamer” in Crain’s Detroit Business magazine.

Aaron–Micael Beydoun, 22, an Eastern Michigan University student who toured the hotel Tuesday, said he was impressed.

“They put millions of dollars into it. Good for them. It has a rich history. I’d like to see all the old Detroit preserved,” he said.

He said it also makes him proud to see Achour, a Lebanese American, be a part of the rejuvenation of the city.