Description: I stayed here for a small conference in early June. I admit that I am slightly biased, as I have a soft spot for Renaissance hotels. I like that they are artsy but perhaps less expensive than the other chains. This one did not disappoint.
The front desk was quite accommodating of my coworker’s need for a refrigerator for medical reasons. Additionally, I asked for a water view and got one. One of my other coworkers somehow got a free upgrade to the club level, which he was quite pleased to have.
The rooms are nice, though I got a towel with a mysterious stain on it that had not come out in the wash. I admit that I did not report it to the housekeeping staff. I was a little disappointed in the water pressure, but I think that happens in many large hotels.
Negatives: This hotel is centrally located between the museum areas and the shopping, but it’s a good 10-minute walk, and perhaps not the safest. I did not feel safe in the area around the hotel, as there seemed to be numerous panhandlers. I would not have wanted to walk by myself. Additionally (and this is serious), while I was working at the conference, there was a young man who came into the conference area to panhandle with a scam story about a lost wallet. Security at the hotel needs to be addressed, as there does not appear to be anyone guarding the front door to keep beggars out. That being said, I suppose it’s only fair to acknowledge that when staying in a large city, one should never let one’s guard down.
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