Townsend Hotel Ranks Third on List of Top Michigan Hotels

Birmingham's Townsend Hotel has collected another accolade: U.S. News & World Report has named the four-star hotel the third best hotel in Michigan and Detroit for 2013.

The report was part of the magazine's release of the top hotels and vacation packages in the United States and across the globe. The best hotels for 2013 were calculated using the opinions of travel experts, guest ratings and awards.

"The Townsend Hotel team works very hard to ensure that each and every guest has a memorable experience at our property, for all the right reasons," said Steven Kalczynski, managing director at The Townsend, in a recent press release.

"It's always rewarding to receive confirmation, through recognitions like this ranking, that our efforts are hitting the mark," he added.

The Townsend comes in behind two other Metro Detroit hotels in the 2013 Michigan rankings, with Dearborn's The Henry ranking at No. 1 and Rochester's Royal Park Hotel coming in second. Mount Pleasant's Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort came in fourth.

The Townsend was also ranked No. 3 on U.S. News & World Report's list of the best Detroit hotels as well.

"Guests say the Townsend cultivates a classy atmosphere with its afternoon high tea and attentive service staff," the magazine's review reads.

"Still, some recent guests say the aging hotel could use a facelift, especially the dated rooms. Despite the antiquated room decor, recent guests do applaud the 300-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and the spacious marble bathrooms. Aside from the digs, (the) Townsend also boasts several dining options, though guests report Birmingham offers a wide variety of restaurants worth tasting."

In total, 1,639 U.S. luxury hotels and 273 Caribbean hotels were analyzed for the 2013 rankings, with only a small fraction named to the "best" lists.

"This is our third year ranking hotels, and the bar continues to climb for luxury properties," said Chad Smolinski, vice president of rankings and reviews at U.S. News & World Report, in a press release. "Desirables amentities and hotel loyalty programs will no longer suffice. People are seeking hotels that go above and beyond to give their guests an unforgettable experience."

This is the second recognition the Townsend has received in recent months. In November, the hotel was named among the Top 25 Hotels in the Midwest by Conde Nast Traveler magazine.