The Townsend Hotel

03 / The story of this place

What’s it like to stay here?

The Townsend opened in 1988 in Birmingham's walkable downtown, a block from Shain Park. Its 150 rooms include nine penthouses and specialty suites, and it has long been a favorite of visiting athletes, executives and celebrities. The clubby Rugby Grille and the formal afternoon tea are local institutions. There's no pool, but you get a 24-hour fitness room, valet parking and EV chargers. In December 2022 the hotel sold for a reported $69.2 million to an entity tied to Belfor chief Sheldon Yellen.

• AAA Four Diamond, Forbes Four-Star
• 150 rooms, penthouses and suites
• The Rugby Grille and afternoon tea

Getting there

There's no self-parking lot; valet is $40 a night with in-and-out, and plan on a $22 nightly amenity fee. Michigan residents should ask about the Michigan Resident Rate; AAA lists an airport shuttle, but the hotel doesn't publish the terms.