The Townsend Hotel

The Townsend Hotel, nestled in the upscale community of Birmingham, Michigan, is widely regarded as a pinnacle of luxury and hospitality in the greater Detroit area. As a Michelin Key Selected property, it consistently receives high praise for its classic elegance, exceptional service, and prime location.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Townsend Hotel is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "exceptional" and "wonderful." It consistently earns high ratings for overall quality, staff, and cleanliness, often ranked among the top luxury, romantic, and business hotels in the city. Many guests express a strong desire to return, highlighting a truly memorable experience.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of The Townsend Hotel:

• Exceptional Service: The staff's attentive, friendly, and courteous nature is a recurring theme in reviews. From valet to concierge and room service, the hospitality is often described as "outstanding" and making guests feel "like royalty."
• Prime Location: Situated in downtown Birmingham, the hotel offers a charming, walkable neighborhood with easy access to shops, restaurants, movie theaters, and parks. While not in downtown Detroit, it's considered an excellent base for day trips to the city's attractions, being about a 30-minute drive away.
• Classic Design & Ambiance: The hotel's interior evokes a sophisticated English country house or aristocratic feel, with polished decor, dark wood, marble fireplaces, and crystal chandeliers. This creates an elegant yet cozy atmosphere, ideal for relaxation and pampering.
• Luxury Amenities: The Townsend offers a range of high-end amenities, including a 24-hour front desk, concierge, valet parking, free Wi-Fi, a gym, and 24-hour room service.

3. Room Quality

The 150 guestrooms, including nine penthouses and specialty suites, are described as swanky, spacious, and extremely comfortable.

• Comfort & Luxury: Rooms feature pillowtop beds with Egyptian cotton sheets, down comforters, premium bedding, and custom Italian duvet covers, ensuring a restful sleep. Guests appreciate the soft linens and fine furnishings.
• Design & Features: The classic decor includes white linens, gray curtains, and dark wood accents. Many rooms have balconies. Standard amenities include minibars, safes, flat-screen TVs, Bose radios, Nespresso machines, and in-room climate control.
• Bathrooms: Marble bathrooms are a highlight, often spacious with deep soaking tubs or shower/tub combinations. They come with sandy gray tile, bright vanity lighting, plush bathrobes, slippers, and designer toiletries. ADA accessible rooms are also available with thoughtful features.

4. Dining Experience

The Townsend Hotel offers a highly regarded dining experience:

• Rugby Grille: This award-winning fine-dining restaurant serves upscale contemporary American-Continental cuisine and is frequently praised by guests. It has been recognized as "One of the Top Ten Best Restaurants in the United States" by Zagat's Restaurant Guide.
• Afternoon Tea: The afternoon tea service is a notable highlight, described as elegant and featuring fresh, aromatic culinary fare, including delicious scones with lemon curd, pastries, tarts, and fine loose-leaf teas. A dedicated children's menu is also available.
• The Townsend Bakery and The Corner: The hotel also features The Townsend Bakery and "The Corner," a popular hot spot serving a selection of beverages.
• Breakfast & Room Service: Breakfast is available, though often with a surcharge. Room service is available 24 hours and is noted for its promptness and delicious food.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at The Townsend Hotel are consistently lauded as exceptional and a major contributing factor to positive guest experiences.

• Hospitality: Guests frequently comment on the staff's professionalism, friendliness, and willingness to go above and beyond. This includes valets, front desk, concierge, and room service.
• Attentiveness: Staff members are noted for their attention to detail, such as preparing champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries for anniversaries and addressing issues like room temperature promptly.
• Professionalism: The wait staff at Rugby Grille and during afternoon tea are praised for their distinct sophistication and efficient service.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Townsend Hotel is located at 100 Townsend Street in Birmingham, Michigan.

• Neighborhood: Birmingham is described as an upscale, charming, and walkable suburb with a lively shopping district, numerous restaurants, parks, golf courses, and art galleries.
• Detroit Access: While not in downtown Detroit, the hotel is about 20 miles away, offering easy access to the city's sporting, cultural, and commercial attractions via a 30-minute drive. It's also approximately 40 minutes from Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW).
• Transport: The hotel offers valet parking (for a fee) and complimentary bicycles for exploring the local area. The closest train station is Birmingham Amtrak Station, about 1.6 km away.

7. Value & Pricing

As a luxury, Michelin-selected property, The Townsend Hotel is priced accordingly, reflecting its high-end service and amenities.

• Price Range: Typical room rates have been around $247.01 USD per night, though average prices can be around $502 per room, and minimum guide prices are often between $300 and $500 per night. Prices can vary depending on dates and room type.
• Value Perception: Guests generally consider it worth the cost, citing the impeccable service, opulent accommodations, and overall luxurious experience. Some guests have noted that the restaurant can be pricey.

8. Common Complaints

While generally highly rated, some recurring issues or criticisms have been mentioned by guests:

• Wi-Fi Issues: Some guests have reported problems with Wi-Fi connectivity, describing it as "terrible" or having login issues.
• Noise: A few reviews mention noise, particularly from housekeeping staff early in the morning, including slamming doors.
• Outdated Fitness Center: The fitness center has been described as "old and outdated," with old and rusty equipment.
• Minor In-Room Issues: Occasional complaints include difficulty regulating room temperature, slow light controls, expired coffee creamer, or a less-than-ideal view (e.g., a dumpster).
• Valet Cost: While convenient, the valet parking can be expensive.
• Bathroom Fixtures: One review mentioned bathrooms needing updating, with cold floors, no place for toiletries, and outdated fixtures.

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