Detroit-area St. John's Resort combines a beautiful destination with a humanitarian purpose

St. John's Resort is a testament to what can happen when luxury hospitality and meaningful purpose intersect.

Located roughly 30 minutes from downtown, St. John's Resort is Detroit's 200-acre luxury property destination that began in the 1940s as St. John's Provincial Seminary. In 2021, the Inn at St. John's, since rebranded as St. John's Resort, was purchased by William Pulte Family Management from the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit with a mission: to offer top-end hospitality while serving the people that need help the most in the local communities and around the world.

Service and charitable acts were incredibly important to William Pulte, founder of Pulte Homes, one of the largest homebuilding companies in the United States. Although William passed away in 2018, his legacy is firmly entrenched in the foundation of the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, which oversees St. John's Resort.

Today, the resort boasts over 100 plush rooms, including an extravagant Ambassador Suite that offers modern amenities that travelers demand from upscale properties. The palatial 1,600 square foot Presidential Suite needs to be seen to be believed, while those lucky enough to stay here may not want to leave. On-site restaurants such as the casual Doyle's Irish Pub and the high-end Five Steakhouse and opulent Wine Grotto mean that visitors won't have to leave the area unless they absolutely want to.

This amazing locale has become the must-book property for weddings as well. The breathtaking Saints Mary and Joseph Chapel features stained glass windows and Italian designs throughout including Botticini marble statues. St. John's hosts numerous weddings throughout the year with a detailed nuance, allowing private ceremonies and casual resort guests to hardly realize that the other is present. That is an entirely different level of logistical skill and professionalism from a staff that takes each event to heart.

The property's crown jewel is The Cardinal, a 27-hole championship-caliber golf course. The freshly redesigned Par 72 course seamlessly glides with the terrain and the 100-year-old trees that dot the landscape. The grounds are meticulously kept, including a stunning approach on Hole 15. At the same time, the course features several charming quirks, such as a reflection area that is a holdover from its seminary days and a giant red cardinal carved from wood.

When travelers first step foot on a resort property, fancy amenities are to be expected. Opulent accommodations, top-tier dining, and destination golf experiences have quickly become the norm at high end properties. But the one thing that is often missing from these magnificent settings might be the most important: heart.

This is where St. John's Resort shines the brightest.

Building a legacy of hospitality with heart

Saint John's Resort is one of the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation's three hotel properties, all of which serve its Humanitarian Hotels efforts. These efforts see the foundation donate 100% of the net profits from each property to different charities worldwide. However, the foundation's commitment to change goes far beyond simply writing a check because its primary purpose is serving people in need.

Since its purchase by the William Pulte Family Management in 2021, St. John's Resort has integrated humanitarian initiatives into its daily operations, reflecting a strong commitment to social impact, from its putting greens to its kitchens.

Recently, during its Opening Day and Club Championship tournaments at The Cardinal, St. John's invited participants to play for a mission-aligned charity of their choice. Gifts totaling $7,500 were made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Thomas More Academy, respectively.  

The championship golf course is also a programming site in conjunction with First Tee-Greater Detroit. First Tee is a youth development organization that aims to combine a life skills program of self-confidence, resilience, and inner strength with the game of golf.

Initiatives beyond the greens

Culinary education and reducing food waste are top priorities. St. John's Resort donates surplus restaurant and banquet food to Food Rescue Detroit. The organization then delivers the food to local soup kitchens, senior centers, and after-school programs ensuring that food reaches those in need rather than going to waste.

They also host a Chefs Table event at Five Steakhouse in honor of Black History Month by collaborating with five local chefs where donations are made to the charity of each chef's election.

Educational opportunities are presented to young people by engaging high school students from area high schools in a hands-on culinary work-study program. The resort covers the tuition to this program while students are provided invaluable culinary training and experience that they can take with them into the future.

The retreat regularly hosts blood drives with the American Red Cross. In 2023, the blood collected through these drives helped around 1,500 people with future plans to grow, then exceed, these numbers.

Other ongoing service programs such as their association with the Living and Learning Enrichment Center and Gesher Human Services to employ individuals with disabilities, and their commitment to support area refugees by working with Samaritas to offer job fairs for those seeking job opportunities.

These initiatives by St. John's Resort, plus many more, are a breath of fresh air in the luxury travel space that often flaunts the opulence of decadent experiences with zero reflection on the world around us.

Day Trips from St. John's Resort

Visitors looking to explore beyond the emaculate grounds of the resort and its golf course will be thrilled to explore the charming small towns and area destinations that are a short drive or Uber away.

Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor is a slice of Americana with a mix of art galleries, boutique shopping, eateries, and the University of Michigan. Visitors with young children would be savvy to check out the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and Leslie Science & Nature Center, which houses over 200 science exhibits and interactive experiences. For a tasty bite to eat, Zingerman's Deli near the Ann Arbor Farmers Market is the prime spot to order an incredible sandwich or take home a few flavorful snacks. Get there early, though, because this is a go-to spot for locals on game day, which means wait times can get long.

Plymouth

Plymouth, whose history as a town stretches back to 1825, is a quick drive from St. John's Resort and offers quaint restaurants, shops, and loads of small town charm. Visitors should stop by Muriel's Doll House and Toy Cottage for unique children's gifts and elaborate doll houses or dine at Hermanns Olde Town Grille and grab a burger.

Another claim to fame for Plymouth is the Daisy Outdoor Products company, which manufactures, among other things, the iconic Daisy BB Gun. The company was founded in Plymouth in1882 as the Plymouth Iron Windmill Company before rebranding and relocating its headquarters to Arkansas in the 1950s. The beautiful Wilcox House, built in 1903 by William Markham, the inventor of the BB Gun, still stands near Kellogg Park.

Frankenmuth

Frankenmuth is roughly 90 miles away from St. John's Resort, but the time spent driving are worth the extra effort when travelers are rewarded with a lovely town with strong German cultural roots. It's sometimes called "Michigan's Little Bavaria" and offers riverboat cruises on the Bavarian Belle Riverboat, wonderful dinners at Zehnder's Restaurant, or narrated city tours on the Golden Ticket Trolley.

Detroit

Detroit is a classic American city that is in the middle of a resurgence that has an unrivaled automotive history as the headquarters of Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler which earned the city its nickname "The Motor City." Visitors can grab a mouth-watering plate of slow-cooked brisket and tender ribs at the celebrated Slows Bar BQ before heading to the Detroit Institute of Arts for its vast collection of art exhibits and installations. Plus, sports fans should already know that Comerica Park is one of the best fields in all of Major League Baseball, but if not, here's a reminder to stop by and catch a game before departing the city.