The Royal Park Hotel in downtown Rochester has turned over a bright new leaf — as in a refreshing garden-themed look. This is the first design overhaul since the AAA Diamond Hotel, now owned by Fairwood Capital and managed by Davidson Hospitality Group, opened in 2004.
“We wanted to bring an English garden feel to the entire property,” says Sarah Osbourn, the hotel’s director of marketing. The refurbishment took about seven months to complete.
Soft floral wall coverings with a serene color palette reflect what designers are calling a “bud to blossom” concept. “It’s inspired by the original architecture of the building and the beautiful grounds surrounding the property,” says designer Chris McDonough of the Chicago-based Gettys Group, which led the undertaking.
A light-filled, welcoming atmosphere now mirrors the property’s natural surroundings along the peaceful, 17-mile Paint Creek, which flows into the nearby Clinton River.
“Our goal was to invite guests to slow down, take notice, and truly enjoy their surroundings,” adds Danielle Gilligan, general manager of the hotel.
Each of the hotel’s 143 guest rooms (including 15 suites) has been refreshed, and a significant collection of spacious suites were designed to accommodate longer stays, celebrations, and group travel.
The wallpaper (from MDC) in the lobby (see pg. 35) and hallways is especially impressive. Large-scale peony blooms in hushed grays and whites make up the pattern and pair well with the creamy, newly painted millwork.
McDonough says that he wanted guests to sense “a soft and airy arrival” upon entering. Special details, such as light fixtures with a petal motif, also wow, and muted pink tones provide a relaxed ambience. Soft, warm paint tones like Scuffmaster’s Mocha Cream on the lobby’s wood and Benjamin Moore’s Alabaster on the library’s walls and ceiling create a soothing feel.
The rooms and suites with large balconies are particularly alluring, as they look out to the calming Paint Creek. Some suites have connecting doors; one suite has three balconies, and all have sleeper sofas.
Also complementing the new motif are headboards that feature floral-patterned fabric in shades of light gray, deep purple, and cream. The artwork ranges from modern abstract (an enlarged calla lily, for example) to a more classical botanical art style.
Meeting rooms also received a recharge, including new televisions, chairs, banquettes, carpeting, wall treatments, and drapery.
A favorite spot is the library, where guests can browse a collection of floral-themed books and enjoy the fireplace and garden-themed photography. A soft rug with an organic design (deep maroon with cream and sage floral patterns) complements cream- and peach-toned furnishings. Bright ivory drapery, small marble-topped tables, and brass tabletop lights also adorn the airy room.
The hotel’s light-filled, garden-inspired conservatory, hand-constructed in Belgium and assembled on-site, was untouched — and for good reason. It not only aligns perfectly with the new design concept, but it’s also a space that gets rave reviews event after event.
The Royal Park Hotel offers formal afternoon teas, seasonal celebrations, and holiday events from Easter through Christmas. In warm weather, hotel guests and the community at large can enjoy ticketed monthly concerts at an outdoor stage set up near Paint Creek.
This story originally appeared in the June 2026 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
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