Birmingham, Michigan - The Townsend Hotel and Downtown Guide

I recently visited the great Midwest with a trip to the Detroit, Michigan area. Hoping to find the most lavish place to stay per Ladyhattan standards, I was inspired by a recent Travel & Leisure article declaring The Townsend Hotel as the most luxurious property in all of Michigan. Located an easy 20 minutes from the hustle and bustle of downtown Detroit, this property sits in the charming and upscale town of Birmingham. Luxurious and perfectly located, there was no better option than The Townsend Hotel for Ladyhattan.

The Townsend Hotel

The staff eagerly makes the extra effort to ensure you are getting the best from the moment the doors open – escorting luggage, coordinating reservations, and offering guests stellar service for every second of the stay – from start to finish. Within minutes of arrival, I quickly started to see why this place was chosen as the top hotel in the entire state.

Before heading up to our room, we made sure to enjoy the afternoon tea service. The polished décor of the hotel evokes the ambiance of English aristocracy with an American flair, so the setting for tea-time is just perfect. Hosted in the first-floor lounge area decorated with marble fireplaces and crystal chandeliers, the tea service is absolutely fabulous and a must-do when in the area. We nestled by the cozy fireplace and were served mimosas, a variety of tea options, fruits, scones with lemon curd and finger sandwiches – all of which were utterly delicious. The tea director, Laura, was such a doll and provided a beautiful spread for our family to enjoy in such an elegant yet cozy setting. She is known to host fantastic family gatherings, parties, showers and make any special occasion memorable with this exceptional afternoon tea experience. Two thumbs up for Townsend’s tea service.

Arriving to our room, we entered the guest suite which was quite comfortable for a weekend stay. The suite had a separate sleeping area and living room to provide ample space. All guest rooms feature plush down comforters, 100% Frette Egyptian cotton sheets, custom Italian duvet covers, and 100% goose down king pillows. Let’s just say there is no such thing as a “bad night’s sleep” at The Townsend Hotel. A refreshing porch patio overlooked nearby parks and downtown hotspots. We enjoyed a nice bottle of the Townsend collection wine on our patio to unwind after a long day of traveling.

Aside from the superb service, one of the best aspects of the hotel is the convenient location for both business and leisure travelers. The property is an easy drive to downtown Detroit and the airport, but is nestled in one of the most charming communities of Michigan. Just around the corner from the hotel there are numerous things to do, see and taste. See below for more on some of my favorite places discovered in Birmingham with a complete Ladyhattan guide on where to shop, sip and taste!

Pampering at Rivage Day Spa

Just around the corner from The Townsend Hotel, I was encouraged to visit a brand new gem for both ladies and men. Dreamed to life and opened just last year by a mother-daughter team, Rivage Day Spa is a true oasis for relaxation in the Detroit metro area. The interior is absolutely gorgeous and even features large event spaces where friends can host anything from showers, to birthday parties to bachelorettes.

Hoping to treat my Grandma to a little extra pampering, we ventured to Rivage for the early part of the day and enjoyed every second of the experience. The gals at Rivage treated Grandma like a queen, welcoming us with a variety of fresh juices and fruit infused water in the relaxation space. From there, Grandma enjoyed a light massage and manicure, while I tested out the Moroccan Oil body scrub and facial. Oo-la-la, the smell, texture and sensation of the scrub was out of this world. Not only did the scrub feel amazing, but the technique and Moroccan Oil used in the treatment helped strip away dry skin from a long cold winter. Overall, the services rendered at Rivage were top notch — exquisite products, pristine facilities and customized care for each client’s needs.

For both business and leisure travelers, this is the perfect spot to unwind and relax when in the Detroit area. And for you lucky locals, I can’t imagine a better place to host a special group event. With inviting private rooms and communal spaces, Rivage is the ultimate place for gathering friends and loved ones to indulge in the endless services offered. With options for both men and women, a gift card to enjoy the packages available at Rivage could be a great gift idea when thinking about upcoming holidays such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

Shopping and Eating Downtown

One of the best parts of being in such a great location at The Townsend Hotel was the close proximity to all the shops and restaurants in downtown Birmingham. With nearly 300 retailers offering a diverse assortment of clothing and gift stores, it was fun to spend an afternoon strolling the streets for some shopping. I enjoyed finding the locally run boutiques. My favorite was Caruso Caruso which had a selection of spunky graphic tees, hats and accessories. Here you can find tons of trendy Detroit themed gifts and apparel.

After working up an appetite from all that shopping, finding a place to dine was easy with so many options to choose from. One of our favorite meals was at 220 Merrill where you can find a lively bar of beautiful people and delicious seafood options like the lobster pasta. But for an unforgettable bite in Birmingham, look no further than the premiere Rugby Grille located inside The Townsend Hotel which features the famous Foie Burger. Worth every penny, this fifty-five dollar burger is composed of Wagyu beef, sweet onion jam, seared foie gras, arugula, braised short rib, parmesan aioli, burgundy truffles and Thomasville tomme cheese. And yes foodies, as if the Foie Burger could not get any more over-the-top, it is served with a generous portion of truffle fries. Talk about an indulgent burger!

With so much to explore in downtown Birmingham, here is a Ladyhattan guide to the best shops and restaurants to checkout on your next trip. A big thank you to The Townsend Hotel for welcoming me to Birmingham and making sure this was an unforgettable Ladyhattan trip! Whether you are traveling to the Detroit area for business or pleasure, be sure to checkout these Ladyhattan approved hotspots for where to stay, pamper and play.