Detroit for a few hours....

[wolverine]

A coworker and I will be driving from Chicago to Detroit Wednesday where I will eventually be heading home to the family for the holidays later. I want to spend some time downtown. Last time I was there was exactly a year ago. Problem is I'll have an overfilled backpack which would make walking around uncomfortable on an already potentially weather-unfriendly day. Is there a place to rent lockers or something for a few hours?

[401don]

The Greektown hotel has a closet right behind the lobby on the main floor to store luggage when folks are too early to check in. This will be a slow day in the hotel so I would suggest you tell them you have a few hours layover and would like to visit the casino. They are in the customer service business and should let you if they want your business. You can always offer them 10 bucks as well.

[ndavies]

The Greektown hotel has a closet right behind the lobby on the main floor to store luggage when folks are too early to check in. This will be a slow day in the hotel so I would suggest you tell them you have a few hours layover and would like to visit the casino. They are in the customer service business and should let you if they want your business. You can always offer them 10 bucks as well.

I doubt any hotel in the country will babysit a bag from a non-customer. This is a huge security risk. You could be handing them a backpack bomb.

[WPitonya]

I was just in Ft. Lauderdale for a cruise last week. We had time to kill before and after the cruise so we visited the Hard Rock Casino & Hotel; they offered to keep our bags as a complimentary service for people visiting the complex. I'm sure most casino hotels will do this for a tip.

[iheartthed]

I doubt any hotel in the country will babysit a bag from a non-customer. This is a huge security risk. You could be handing them a backpack bomb.

Almost any hotel will do it. Most don't even ask for proof that you are staying in the hotel.

[DetroitPole]

Ok...so I can't really think of anyplace in the city that has public lockers. Again, here is where we really fall short. Every city in Europe that I've visited had lockers for a few coins at the train stations. Why can't we do this ? Why not at the Greyhound Station? Is it because people will use any means necessary to pry or explode them open to loot the contents?

[bailey]

Ok...so I can't really think of anyplace in the city that has public lockers. Again, here is where we really fall short. Every city in Europe that I've visited had lockers for a few coins at the train stations. Why can't we do this ? Why not at the Greyhound Station? Is it because people will use any means necessary to pry or explode them open to loot the contents?

Perhaps. but c'mon, is there anyone really demanding this service? Detroit is not exactly a backpacker destination, tourist hub, or transit center. How about some baby steps... lets figure out how to keep the bathrooms clean in the one thing we have that resembles a transit hub. Then we can worry about the massive influx of backpackers needing to store stuff for the day.

[Crew]

Almost any hotel will do it. Most don't even ask for proof that you are staying in the hotel.

I agree. Just about any decent size hotel will hold a bag for you. I've done it many times and they seldome ask if you are a customer.

[bailey]

I agree. Just about any decent size hotel will hold a bag for you. I've done it many times and they seldome ask if you are a customer.

just don't forget to tip! They are doing you a favor.

[wolverine]

Thanks guys for the advice. I had a laptop and didn't want to carry it around. I found public lockers that worked out perfectly

[detroitbob]

I always stash backpack or bag with one of the bell hops at the Palmer House when in Chicago...tip well.