Birmingham’s Townsend Hotel is currently undergoing upgrades to its luxury suites.
“The original white marble has been removed from the bathrooms, replaced with a newer modern version,” says General Manager Adrienne Cousins. “We placed double sinks in many of the luxury suites. Some are equipped with a glass-enclosed shower and a larger soaking tub, while others have a larger glass-enclosed shower.”
As it happens, the AAA Four Diamond-rated Townsend’s brand is luxury. With 150 guest rooms and suites—some with full kitchens—including three presidential and three executive suites, Egyptian cotton sheets, goose-down comforters, Nespresso coffee makers, Homedics Soundspa sound machines, and afternoon tea on weekends are among the high-end touches guests experience.
In addition, the Rugby Grille in Birmingham’s Townsend Hotel, with its award-winning Wine Spectator program, recently restored traditional tableside preparations of two signature dishes—Dover Sole and Caesar Salad. The practice had been halted because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Prior to COVID-19, the tableside Dover Sole and Caesar were core to what the Rugby Grille was known for—outstanding service, with excellent food, and some dishes that required technique and skill to be prepared by your table and immediately served,” Cousins says. “It has been very well received by our guests.”
The event spaces at Birmingham’s Townsend Hotel include its 5,000-square-foot Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 500 guests. The 2,700-square-foot Regency Room has banquet space for 180 and reception area for 350. The Clancy Room has capacity for from 25 guests conference-style and up to 70 seated at round tables to 150 guests for a cocktail reception. Other gathering spaces are also available.
The Townsend recently came under new ownership when it was purchased by Sheldon Yellen, CEO of BELFOR Holdings Inc. and BELFOR Property Restoration, also in Birmingham. He also owns Tam-O-Shanter Country Club in West Bloomfield Township.
