The Vanguard Hotel, Autograph Collection
Timeless Travel, A Modern Stay
Project Location
Ann Arbor, MI
Brand/Flag
Marriott
Keys
188
Services
Interiors
Portals and Perspectives
Sunlight fills the lobby where arched portals guide movement and invite exploration. Intimate seating areas nestle among curated books and artwork, sparking curiosity and conversation. The reception desk, inspired by vintage French travel trunks, complements a nearby concierge library featuring historic local books and neighborhood stories. A sculptural staircase anchors the space, beneath a delicate chandelier crafted by Yellow Goat Design from gold metal and fluted lenses that lead guests toward the event spaces above. Upstairs, French influences shape event and meeting rooms with Provence-inspired carpets, grand chandeliers, and bold portals, bathed in light that transforms gracefully from day to night.
Solarium and Cellar
La Serre, the signature culinary experience at the Vanguard, is a French brasserie where nature serves as its muse. Guests arrive through a cobblestone entry into a warm space of oak floors, intricate mosaics, and delicate patterns that hint at bygone charm. The sweeping bar, with brass accents and Parisian blue tiles, makes a bold statement. Two private dining rooms offer distinct moods – a sunlit solarium with cascading greenery and a velvet-draped wine cellar rich with quiet intrigue. A circular glass wine display anchors the main dining room, serving as a sculptural centerpiece that celebrates the sommelier’s handpicked global wine collection.
Passage and Pause
Drawing on the spirit of global travel, the guestroom design responds with subtle nods throughout. Modern desks with pull-out drawers and vintage trunk-style minibars feature crocodile-textured leather and brass closures. Curated artwork, including letters, found images, and a portrait of James Burrill Angell, brings the narrative to life. Chevron wood grain on floors and closets echoes the folds of envelopes – quiet vessels – that carry letters, stories, and connections across distances, evoking the essence of travel and communication.
