Airbnb dominates short-term rental search results, but its 14-16% service fees add up quickly. If you’re planning a Detroit trip and searching for vacation rental alternatives, Great Stays is Detroit’s largest locally-managed short-term rental company, with stays across the city’s most desirable neighborhoods.

Book directly with Great Stays and save the Airbnb service fees while supporting a local Detroit business committed to quality, responsive service, and genuine community investment.

Why Book Direct Instead of Airbnb

Service Fee Savings: Airbnb’s service fees (guest fee of 14-16%, host fees) reduce what you see. A $100/night property actually costs $114-116 on Airbnb. Booking directly saves that markup.

Local Business Support: Great Stays is a Detroit-based company. Your booking supports local jobs, local expertise, and genuine community commitment.

Responsive Service: As a local company, we’re directly accountable to our guests and our community. Call (313) 362-8288 and speak to a real person on the Great Stays team. We resolve issues quickly because we live here.

Personalized Attention: Our team knows every property intimately. We can recommend specific units based on your needs (quiet neighborhoods, game-day proximity, walking-friendly streets) in ways that generic platforms cannot.

Flexible Options: Need a longer stay? Corporate housing? Travel nurse placement? Insurance housing? Great Stays specializes in flexible solutions beyond what Airbnb’s platform supports.

Community Knowledge: We understand Detroit’s neighborhoods, attractions, restaurants, events, and culture. We can provide recommendations Airbnb’s platform cannot.

Detroit’s Neighborhoods: Which Is Right for You?

Great Stays has properties across Detroit’s most desirable neighborhoods. Here’s what each offers:

Midtown — Best for university visitors, medical patients and families, cultural tourists, and museum visits. Key attractions: Wayne State University, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Medical Center. Urban, cultural, walkable. Studios to multi-bedroom furnished apartments, $67-$182/night. Explore Midtown →

Corktown — Best for food lovers, history enthusiasts, weekend getaways, and group stays. Key attractions: Michigan Central Station (restored), Slows Bar-B-Q, Mudgie’s Deli, PJ’s Lager House. Historic, charming, excellent food scene. 4-bed family homes with fenced yards, from $159/night. Explore Corktown →

Brush Park — Best for sports fans, event attendees, and game day trips. Key attractions: Little Caesars Arena (Red Wings, Pistons), Ford Field (Lions), Comerica Park (Tigers). Spacious group flats with parking, jet tubs, and full kitchens, $195/night. Explore Brush Park →

West Village — Best for urban professionals and walkable-neighborhood explorers. Walkable restaurants and retail, emerging nightlife, downtown proximity. Modern apartments in renovated buildings, $59-$140/night. Explore West Village →

University District — Best for quiet retreat seekers, extended stays, executive relocations, and peaceful settings. Key attractions: Detroit Golf Club, University of Detroit Mercy, tree-lined residential streets. Mid-century modern homes and spacious residences. Explore University District →

Special Programs Beyond Airbnb’s Scope

While Airbnb primarily serves short vacations, Great Stays manages:

Corporate Housing (30+ days) — For employees relocating to Detroit. Furnished apartments with full amenities, flexible month-to-month terms. Learn about corporate housing →

Travel Nurse Housing (13-week contracts) — Designed for healthcare professionals. Walking distance to Detroit Medical Center, fast internet, full kitchens, laundry, monthly rates with contract flexibility. Learn about travel nurse housing →

Insurance Housing (30-180+ days) — For displaced residents (fire, flood, mold). Insurance claim documentation, fully furnished, move-in ready, flexible terms as repairs progress. Learn about insurance housing →

Group Event Stays — Game day lodging for Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons, and Lions games, festival housing (Movement and more), conference attendee lodging, and group rates. See game day lodging →

The Great Stays Advantage

Detroit’s largest locally-managed portfolio. Scale means better vendor relationships, consistent quality, and deep market knowledge.

Local Expertise. Our team lives in Detroit neighborhoods. We understand neighborhood character, safety, walkability, and what makes each area special.

Responsive Service. Call (313) 362-8288 and speak to a real person. No chatbots, no generic responses. We know your specific property and can solve issues immediately.

Community Commitment. Great Stays is invested in Detroit’s future. We employ local staff, support neighborhood development, and contribute to community initiatives.

Personalized Matching. Instead of scrolling hundreds of Airbnb listings, tell us what you’re looking for—proximity to specific venues, walkability, neighborhood vibe, group size, budget—and we’ll recommend the perfect property.

Transparent Pricing. No surprise fees. Our quoted prices include parking, WiFi, and utilities. What you see is what you pay.

How Much Can You Save?

Example: 3-night Corktown stay — Great Stays direct: $159/night × 3 = $477. Same property on Airbnb with ~15% service fees: about $549. Your savings: $72 (and support for a local business).

Example: 7-night Midtown stay — Great Stays direct: $120/night × 7 = $840. Same property on Airbnb with ~15% service fees: about $966. Your savings: $126.

For longer stays, the savings increase significantly.

Booking with Great Stays

Online: Browse the full property catalog with photos, descriptions, guest reviews, and instant booking at greatstays.co.

By Phone: Call (313) 362-8288 and discuss your needs with our team.

By Email: Email info@greatstays.co with details about your trip for personalized recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know Great Stays properties are safe and clean?
A: All properties are personally maintained and inspected by our team. Professional cleaners prepare between guests. We take quality personally—if a guest has an issue, we fix it immediately. Call (313) 362-8288 with any concerns.

Q: What if I have an issue during my stay?
A: Call or text (313) 362-8288. Our team responds quickly because we live in Detroit and care about guest satisfaction. We solve problems in hours, not days.

Q: Can I see photos of properties before booking?
A: Yes, all properties on greatstays.co have professional photos, descriptions, amenities lists, and guest reviews. You can book with confidence.

Q: Do Great Stays properties have the same amenities as Airbnb rentals?
A: Yes, and often better. Furnished apartments with full kitchens, high-speed WiFi, laundry, and parking are standard. Many include unique local character that chains lack.

Q: Is it safe to book directly instead of using a platform?
A: Absolutely. Great Stays is a registered, established Detroit business and a licensed Michigan property management company. We process bookings securely and maintain professional operations.

Q: Can I request specific properties or neighborhoods?
A: Yes, our team will work with your preferences. Tell us what you value (walkability, proximity to attractions, quiet vs. urban vibe) and we’ll match you perfectly.

Q: How is the guest experience different from Airbnb?
A: You’ll interact with a real person committed to Detroit and your satisfaction. Properties are well-maintained by people who care. Issues are solved immediately, not through abstract platform processes.