Saint John’s Resort Unveils The Monarch, a New Luxury Event Venue in Plymouth

Posted by Michael Perna on Friday, June 20th, 2025  3:50pm.

In Plymouth Township, a historic Metro Detroit resort is spreading its wings in a big way. Saint John’s Resort – long known for its classic charm and sprawling 200-acre grounds – has officially opened The Monarch, a 24,000-square-foot luxury event venue with room for up to 1,500 guests in theater or cocktail-style layouts. This grand addition, described as the “crown jewel” of the resort’s ongoing $50 million renovation, promises to elevate local weddings, galas, conferences, and even concerts to a new level of elegance. And in true Saint John’s spirit, every celebration here helps a cause – the resort donates 100% of its net profits to educational and humanitarian initiatives in Metro Detroit and beyond.

Saint John's Resort, Facebook

The Monarch: Plymouth’s New Crown Jewel for Events

The Monarch is more than just another ballroom – it’s a statement venue blending modern luxury with the resort’s timeless character. Located centrally on the Saint John’s campus, The Monarch spans three floors and includes a 15,000-square-foot main ballroom encased by a stunning 200-foot glass wall that seamlessly connects indoor and outdoor spaces. Step inside and you’ll find soaring 18-foot ceilings adorned with three skylights and nine crystal chandeliers, bathing the interior in natural light by day and a warm glow by night. An additional 13,000 square feet of space across multiple levels provides flexibility and even features a private bridal suite for wedding parties to prepare and relax.

“One of the most prestigious and expansive event venues in Michigan.” That’s how Eric Djordjevic, the resort’s managing director, describes The Monarch. Every detail has been thoughtfully designed – from state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems to rich décor – to create a setting that can transform from grand indoor ballroom to an open-air pavilion at a moment’s notice. In fact, a 100-foot “sky wall” of glass can glide open to give events an alfresco feel, turning the space into an indoor/outdoor showpiece for those perfect Michigan summer evenings. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible and even boasts a spacious dance floor, ensuring all guests can enjoy comfortably.

  

Key Features of The Monarch Venue

These features make The Monarch a versatile canvas for all sorts of events. As Djordjevic notes, the venue can accommodate everything from “large weddings, conferences, and even intimate concerts” with ease.

Saint John's Resort, Facebook

From Weddings to Concerts: A Venue for Every Occasion

One of the biggest draws of The Monarch is that it’s purpose-built for almost any occasion a Metro Detroit planner or family could dream up. Weddings will find a home here unlike any other – imagine saying “I do” under a skylight-filled ceiling, then dancing the night away under crystal chandeliers, with the option to open up the glass wall so guests can drift between ballroom and starlit courtyard. There’s even a historic on-site chapel (Saints Mary & Joseph Chapel) steps away on the resort grounds for those who want a traditional church ceremony, while The Monarch handles the reception in grand style. For non-denominational ceremonies, the resort’s other new Garden Pavilion (opened in 2023) offers an indoor/outdoor garden ambiance, meaning couples have multiple gorgeous settings to choose from on the same property.

Interested in Metro Detroit’s live music venues? Explore our comprehensive guide to iconic spots from Motown to Rock City.


But it’s not just for weddings. Corporate and business conferences now have a west-suburban Detroit option that rivals downtown venues. With capacity for 1,500 in theater layout, The Monarch can host large company-wide meetings, product launches, or trade seminars. Planners will appreciate the built-in AV infrastructure and the abundance of breakout space (remember, there are three floors to utilize). Gala events and fundraisers are also a perfect fit – in fact, hosting a charitable gala at Saint John’s Resort comes with a poetic twist: the venue itself donates its profits to charity, so your fundraiser literally takes place at a philanthropy-driven resort.

And let’s not forget about concerts and community events. While a 1,500-person ballroom might sound unconventional for concerts, The Monarch is poised to host intimate concerts and performances too. Think along the lines of upscale jazz nights, classical ensembles, or local artists performing for a seated audience. With professional sound equipment and lighting, the space can transform into an elegant concert hall or a stylish venue for a speaker series. The high ceilings and adjustable configurations mean acoustics and sightlines were top-of-mind in the design. Metro Detroit families might soon find themselves attending a variety of events here – from holiday festivals to school galas – as the calendar fills up with programming at this multifaceted venue.

   

Part of a $50 Million Transformation of Saint John’s Resort

The debut of The Monarch isn’t an isolated update – it’s the grand finale (so far) of a massive $50 million property-wide transformation that Saint John’s Resort has been undergoing since 2021. Locals may recall that this Plymouth landmark was formerly known as The Inn at St. John’s, a longtime hotel and conference center with a rich history dating back to the 1940s when it was a Catholic seminary. In 2021, the property was acquired by the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, and a bold renovation and expansion plan was set in motion. The goal? To modernize the resort’s amenities, add stunning new facilities like The Monarch, and re-launch Saint John’s as a “Humanitarian Hotel” – a for-profit luxury resort with a nonprofit mission at its heart.

Over the past few years, guests have watched as Saint John’s introduced a slate of new or upgraded attractions:

Curious about top golf experiences coming to Metro Detroit? Check out our comprehensive guide to LIV Golf’s Michigan debut at The Cardinal.

What truly sets this transformation apart is the mission behind it. Branded as “Hospitality on a Mission,” Saint John’s Resort funnels all net profits to the Pulte Foundation to support local education and global humanitarian causes. In other words, when you book an event at The Monarch or a weekend stay at the hotel, you’re indirectly contributing to charity. This innovative model has turned the property into what some are calling Detroit’s very own “philanthropic resort.” It’s a point of pride for the community – luxury with a conscience. As families celebrate weddings or companies host conferences here, they can feel good knowing that the venue’s success benefits more than just the bottom line.

Saint John's Resort, Facebook

An All-in-One Destination for Metro Detroiters

Saint John’s Resort has long been a quiet gem in western Wayne County, but with The Monarch and other upgrades, it’s poised to become a hub for Metro Detroit social life and events. The location is certainly convenient: Plymouth Township sits roughly halfway between Detroit and Ann Arbor – about a 25-minute drive from either city – making it an accessible gathering point for guests across southeast Michigan. There’s ample parking on-site (no downtown parking hassles here) and even shuttle services for hotel guests, which event planners appreciate.

For engaged couples and their families, the resort now offers a complete wedding weekend experience. Out-of-town guests can stay in the on-site hotel’s plush rooms, enjoy a round of golf at The Cardinal before the rehearsal dinner, and then celebrate the big day in The Monarch’s glamorous setting. With multiple ceremony sites, photo-perfect gardens, and after-party spots (perhaps a nightcap in The Wine Grotto or around a fire pit), everything is in one place. Metro Detroit Mommy bloggers often highlight family-friendly activities, and Saint John’s fits the bill too – the resort hosts seasonal events like brunches, holiday décor displays, and has kid-friendly amenities (the pool’s splash features and the open lawn for games). So while it’s luxurious, it isn’t a stuffy, “adults-only” kind of venue; it’s aiming to welcome the community at large.

Local event planners and business professionals are also taking note. With The Monarch’s large capacity and cutting-edge facilities, Plymouth suddenly becomes a contender for large galas and corporate events that might have otherwise booked in downtown Detroit or at convention centers. The difference here is the ambiance: instead of a cavernous convention hall, attendees get resort elegance – think marble floors, art installations in the hallways, and perhaps stepping outside during conference breaks to enjoy courtyard fountains or watch golfers on the adjacent greens. It’s a refreshing change of pace that could spark a trend of more events gravitating to suburban luxury venues.

Even the savvy local real estate folks have an eye on this development. A $50 million investment in a property is a strong signal of confidence in the area. Plymouth and its surroundings are already known for great schools, a vibrant downtown, and high quality of life – now adding a top-tier resort complex into the mix boosts the locale’s profile even further. Don’t be surprised if you hear Plymouth mentioned in the same breath as other Metro Detroit destination towns. The Monarch, in a sense, is not just an event space; it’s an amenity for the whole region that could attract everything from regional conventions to charity balls that raise funds for Detroit causes. In the words of one local publication, Saint John’s Resort’s transformation is “a heavenly getaway for gastronomy, golf, and a good cause” – a description that now extends to its event offerings as well.

Excited about the newest spots opening around Metro Detroit? Discover our comprehensive guide to the best new places launching in 2025.

  

Experience The Monarch for Yourself

With The Monarch now open for bookings, Metro Detroiters have a new venue to explore – and a great reason to visit (or revisit) Saint John’s Resort. If you’re curious, keep an eye on the resort’s event calendar for any open-house events, community mixers, or public concerts that might be hosted in this space. Walking through the grand ballroom and courtyard in person is the best way to feel just how special it is. Engaged couples and event planners can schedule tours to see the indoor/outdoor magic of The Monarch firsthand – picture the sunlight flooding in through that 200-foot glass wall or the possibilities of a elegantly tented courtyard soirée.

For the local community, Saint John’s Resort is planning to host high-profile events like the LIV Golf championship in August (though that tournament is on the golf course, visitors will likely get to experience the resort’s hospitality and maybe peek at the new ballroom during the festivities). And with summer concert series and charity galas potentially on the horizon, The Monarch is set to become a backdrop for many memorable nights in Plymouth.

In short, The Monarch represents Metro Detroit’s event scene on the rise – a blend of old-school class, modern amenities, local community feel, and heartfelt mission. Whether you’re a family looking for the perfect wedding venue, a company seeking an impressive conference site, or just a curious neighbor, this new luxury event space invites you to come be a part of its next chapter. Check it out, enjoy what it has to offer, and know that by doing so you’re also contributing to something greater in our community. It’s not often you can say a night out on the town makes a positive difference – but at The Monarch in Saint John’s Resort, that’s exactly the case.


DON'T KEEP US A SECRET - SHARE WITH A FRIEND OR ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

         

 

THINKING OF MOVING TO Metro Detroit, OR LOOKING TO RELOCATE IN THE AREA? VIEW A LIST OF CURRENT HOMES FOR SALE BELOW.

Check Out Plymouth Homes for Sale



The Perna Team and Michael Perna are the best real estate agents in Plymouth and Ann Arbor. The Perna Team and Michael Perna have been hired as a real estate agent by hundreds of home owners to sell their homes in Plymouth and Ann Arbor.