A Seminary Turned Humanitarian Hotel
Saint John's Resort sits on former seminary grounds in Plymouth, Michigan, about 20 minutes from Detroit. The property changed hands in 2021 when the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation bought it from the Archdiocese of Detroit and dropped its previous name, the Inn at St. John's.
The hotel is one of three properties the foundation operates under the Humanitarian Hotels model. According to the foundation, 100 per cent of net profits from all three hotels go to educational and humanitarian causes. Chief operating officer Kevin Doyle says the approach reflects the vision of the late homebuilder William Pulte, who created the World Peace Prayer with leaders from multiple faiths. Plaques displaying the prayer appear in hallways throughout the property.
Staff and guests participate in the giving model. Recent projects include assembling meal packs for St. Leo's Soup Kitchen, with items such as jerky, soup, crackers, water, and biscuits. Employees receive 40 hours annually to volunteer their time, whether that means folding clothes or working with local charities during quieter periods.
Rooms, Suites, and Extended Stays
The resort offers several room types, ranging from standard king rooms at around 310 square feet to larger suites. Rates in autumn 2026 span roughly $149 to $543 per night, depending on room category and travel dates.
For longer visits, the property has executive apartments in a separate wing. These include a small kitchen with a full-size refrigerator, freezer, counter space, and dishwasher, aimed at guests staying more than a few nights.
Three Golf Courses and a Chapel
Golf anchors much of the outdoor offering. The property has The Cardinal, an 18-hole championship course; The Little Cardinal, a seven-hole par-3 layout; and an 18-hole putting course. Together, they give beginners and experienced players options for an afternoon on the greens.
Saints Mary and Joseph Chapel, dedicated in 1955 as St. John Chapel, remains an active Roman Catholic chapel operated by the Archdiocese of Detroit. The space features wooden beams, carved stone, and mosaics. Catholic weddings take place here, and receptions often move to the Garden Pavilion, a 5,200-square-foot venue that opens onto views of the golf course. The pavilion also hosts occasional yoga classes led by White Buffalo Yoga, a local studio.
Event spaces include The Atrium, an indoor-outdoor venue under a glass ceiling that accommodates up to 320 guests, and The Monarch, which can hold up to 1,500 people for conferences and large celebrations.
Pub Food, Steakhouse Dinners, and a Wine Cellar
Doyles Irish Pub serves Bavarian pretzels with cheese sauce, stout mustard, and Hatch green chile dip. The menu includes fish and chips, shepherd's pie, Irish stew with beef and vegetables, and elk chili. The Reuben sandwich comes stacked with corned beef, Swiss cheese, Thousand Island dressing, and sauerkraut on rye, served with house-made crisps.
The two-storey pub has a downstairs area with a fireplace, stained-glass windows depicting golfers, and plaid wallpaper. Guests can enter from the golf course or the hotel interior. Doyles can print custom images onto the foam of a Guinness draught using a photo uploaded from a phone.
FIVE Steakhouse offers a more formal setting. The Grand Meridian Plateau is a seafood tower with lobster tails, colossal shrimp, oysters, and crab cocktail. The Cardinal, a 40-ounce in-house dry-aged prime porterhouse, is finished tableside with infused tallow butter and comes with two sides, such as balsamic Brussels sprouts or garlic smashed potatoes. The FIVE Lobster Mac and Cheese is a shareable option. Desserts include crème brûlée with a toasted black sesame tuile, Five Mile High Chocolate Cake with dark chocolate ganache and chocolate malt mousse, and blueberry cookie butter cheesecake.
The Wine Grotto occupies a former crypt beneath the hotel. Rows of arches and subdued lighting create an intimate atmosphere. Flatbreads include mushroom, fig and prosciutto, and margherita, several featuring Boursin cheese. Other menu items include Wagyu meatballs, honey Aleppo shrimp, mussels arrabbiata, and a deconstructed Wellington. The chocolate charcuterie, an assortment of truffles, pretzels, and strawberries with ganache, is designed for sharing.
A Cider Mill and Autumn Colour Nearby
Parmenter's Northville Cider Mill sits about 10 minutes from the resort along the Rouge River. Open during autumn, the mill offers spiced cake doughnuts and apple cider slush. Trees along the river turn shades of orange, red, and yellow, and families often stop to feed ducks near the water.
The mill is a local favourite for seasonal outings, particularly in October and November when the foliage peaks and the air turns cooler.
Getting There
Saint John's Resort is roughly 20 minutes by car from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. The airport is served by Delta, American, United, Southwest, and JetBlue, with nonstop flights from cities including New York, Charlotte, and others across the United States. Renting a car or arranging a ride from the airport gives flexibility for reaching the hotel and exploring nearby areas such as Hines Park and the surrounding suburbs of Plymouth.
