The folks at Hotel Metro have an extra spring in their step this week.

Hotel Metro, 411 E. Mason St., has been named by the editors of National Geographic Traveler magazine as one of the "129 Hotels We Love." The list appears in the second annual "Stay List" and features properties in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

"This is a true honor for not only our hotel but the city of Milwaukee," Hotel Metro general manager Sue Kinas said. "The recognition confirms the concept and brand of Hotel Metro as well as the hard work our staff puts in day-in and day-out.

"We take pride in treating each one of our guests as if they are an award-winning travel writer. We look forward to stay on the top 129 Stay List for many years to come."

Traveler selected hotels based on the collected experiences of veteran journalists and local experts. Nominations were based on key criteria: Is the hotel engaged with the local community? Does it subscribe to sustainable practices that respect the region? Does it truly capture the spirit of its setting? Further research and detailed questionnaires winnowed hundreds of submissions down to the list of 129 hotels.

"The hotels on our Stay List 2009 don't just reflect the surroundings - they help define them," said Sheila Feldman Buckmaster, senior editor of the magazine. "What they all have in common is a transcendent vision that goes beyond traditional hotel-keeping. This mindset is what gives these hotels their sense of place."

Hotel Metro's executive chef, Jerry Garcia, recently introduced a new menu named "Midwestern Fusion," which features organic and all-natural ingredients, many from local farmers and vendors.

"I thought it was important to introduce a menu that reflected today's trends," said Garcia. "Café Metro is located in an award-winning hotel and we need to make sure our menus maintain that level of excellence while staying with, if not exceeding, dining trends. 'Midwestern Fusion' is combining flavors like you have never experienced and offering a quality you would expect in larger cities."