Downtown Rochester's Royal Park Hotel has been named the second-best hotel in metro Detroit and in all of Michigan for 2013. 

The titles, bestowed this week by U.S. News & World Report, were based on awards, expert recommendations and guest feedback from 830 hotels across the state.

"We are always humbled by awards, and being recognized nationally is just a true honor," said Sue Keels, marketing director for the Royal Park. "Being that this was an unbiased analysis, it truly reflects feedback from our guests."

The Royal Park ranked above Birmingham's Townsend Hotel, which placed third on both the Michigan and Detroit metro lists. Dearborn's The Henry ranked No. 1. 

The news magazine mentioned the Royal Park's "European-style design aesthetic," adding that it's a great place to escape urban Detroit. 

Keels said the hotel, which features 143 rooms, prides itself in the guest experience: guests check in as visitors, become friends during their stay and leave as family, she said. 

Last year the Royal Park saw 37,000 visitors and served 170,000 meals, she said.

What's in store for the hotel in 2013?  High-tech, interactive flat-screen TVs have recently been installed in all guest rooms to help increase business travelers' productivity, Keels said. And the hotel will add several new menu items to its Brookshire Restaurant this year. 

Keels called the culinary changes "cutting-edge."

"We're focused on the experience of our guests, and we're working at creating unique experiences that showcase downtown Rochester as an extension of who we are," Keels said.  

For more about the hotel, visit www.RoyalParkHotel.net.

Want to explore the hotel for yourself? Patch is giving away a stay at the hotel. Enter our Valentine's Day contest here.