Febs
Established Member
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2006
- Posts
- 1,671
Hi all,
It's rare that I'm so impressed with something that I post it up on the forum, but I think it's necessary for Aloft. Let me explain…
I love W Hotels, although I’ve been a bit let down by some. My first W stay was at the W Mexico City. Amazing hotel – great décor, great bar, cool people. Next stay was W Dallas – new, modern, cool bar, great pool area…very impressive. I spent a night at the W Lakeshore and also found that to be a great hotel too. The W Sydney was very cool before it became a Taj Blue (still is cool - nice coughtail bar).
I thought that’s what W’s were – modern, new, unique and very “funky”. Then I stayed at a few more – W Seattle (nice hotel, but just didn’t feel “W-like”, it felt like an old hotel they’d tried to turn into a W, and failed), W Union Square (like Seattle, but even worse! Small rooms are understandable, but this felt old and run-down) and W New York on Lexington (worst of the lot! Really old, with an average-at-best concierge).
Since then I’ve also stayed at the W Barcelona on opening night (there were some service issues which management promptly addressed, but otherwise I’d put this up there with Dallas and MEX – cool, funky, super-modern, great location and nice pool and bar). I’ve got a stay at W Boston booked soon too, looking forward to that.
So as you can probably tell, I like my hotels modern, unique, with a decent gym/pool, a bit “unusual” and to be near decent nightlife.
I’ve stayed at plenty “sibling” chains before – Four Points Sheraton, Hampton Inn, etc.. and found them to be fine for the money, but nothing special. Pretty much what you’d expect. Aloft has really over-delivered though.
I spent a night in the Aloft Dallas Downtown, and Aloft Houston by the Galleria, and I'll definitely book more. Since this could get pretty wordy, here’s a list of things that I like about this place, or things that have really impressed me (photos below):
In fact, the only downsides I’ve found are:
While I’ll still stay in W’s in major cities where I’m holidaying, and probably on weekends while on business, I’ll definitely be considering Alofts for most of my business stays. Comparing the costs of Aloft Dallas to W Dallas, including Internet, parking, breakfast etc… I’d say there’s about a $130-$150USD/night in savings. That’s quite a considerable amount when you have a cost-conscious client, and really – for a midweek stay, you don't lose much.
Whoever’s responsible for the concept has done a FANTASTIC job. They’ve taken the best aspects of the W chain, and the best aspects of a cheaper “sibling” chain, and combined them. 10/10! I wonder if these are canabalising W's business? Probably not, but if they are, it might just be a wakeup call for some Ws to lift their game.
Lobby
Re-fuel
Room in Dallas
Room in Dallas
Pool
Imageshack - hallwayi
Hallway
Imageshack - connectionsm
Connections for devices (Houston. Dallas' one had a few less connections)
Imageshack - amenities
Amenities
Cheers,
- Febs.
PS: The 6 image limit is a bit limiting here, especially when it includes smilies!
It's rare that I'm so impressed with something that I post it up on the forum, but I think it's necessary for Aloft. Let me explain…
I love W Hotels, although I’ve been a bit let down by some. My first W stay was at the W Mexico City. Amazing hotel – great décor, great bar, cool people. Next stay was W Dallas – new, modern, cool bar, great pool area…very impressive. I spent a night at the W Lakeshore and also found that to be a great hotel too. The W Sydney was very cool before it became a Taj Blue (still is cool - nice coughtail bar).
I thought that’s what W’s were – modern, new, unique and very “funky”. Then I stayed at a few more – W Seattle (nice hotel, but just didn’t feel “W-like”, it felt like an old hotel they’d tried to turn into a W, and failed), W Union Square (like Seattle, but even worse! Small rooms are understandable, but this felt old and run-down) and W New York on Lexington (worst of the lot! Really old, with an average-at-best concierge).
Since then I’ve also stayed at the W Barcelona on opening night (there were some service issues which management promptly addressed, but otherwise I’d put this up there with Dallas and MEX – cool, funky, super-modern, great location and nice pool and bar). I’ve got a stay at W Boston booked soon too, looking forward to that.
So as you can probably tell, I like my hotels modern, unique, with a decent gym/pool, a bit “unusual” and to be near decent nightlife.
I’ve stayed at plenty “sibling” chains before – Four Points Sheraton, Hampton Inn, etc.. and found them to be fine for the money, but nothing special. Pretty much what you’d expect. Aloft has really over-delivered though.
I spent a night in the Aloft Dallas Downtown, and Aloft Houston by the Galleria, and I'll definitely book more. Since this could get pretty wordy, here’s a list of things that I like about this place, or things that have really impressed me (photos below):
- Very new – both properties are ~3 months old, and I understand most Alofts are the same (they’re opening at a rate of one every 10 days apparently!)
- Funky décor – very W-like.
- ”Re-fuel” is a great concept for help-yourself food, with a decent selection and reasonable prices! I think a juice, apple and bagel was $6. At any W that’d probably set me back $25 (kidding).
- Useful lobby – pool table! Awesome.
- Great gym and pool – see photo of pool. Gyms are small(ish), but have all the latest equipment, including iPod-enabled treadmills in Houston.
- Huge rooms in Dallas, with well-thought out furniture.
- Magazines you actually want to read in each room!
- Free tea/coffee/water bottles
- Complimentary local calls! Complimentary in-room WiFi!
- The peripheral connection stations in each room are the best I’ve ever come across in any hotel – HDMI, iPod, VGA, Network, USB, S-video, RCA and Audio! Brilliant idea. Next time I’m bringing a VGA cable and a bunch of movies.
- Reasonably-priced parking ($6 in Dallas, $10 in Houston)
- Bliss amenities – and you still get small facewash/body lotion containers (I actually prefer this Bliss soap to the W’s green one).
- WXYZ bar seems reasonably busy.
- Free coffee from the café for Plats and Golds.
- Current 1000 bonus pts promo works.
- Cheap! These stays were under $85/night!
In fact, the only downsides I’ve found are:
- 250 Platinum amenity points (not a big deal)
- No/average upgrades (also not a big deal – I barely get decent upgrades at W’s anyway, whereas I always get excellent upgrades with Westins or Sheratons).
- There aren’t any in Australia!!
While I’ll still stay in W’s in major cities where I’m holidaying, and probably on weekends while on business, I’ll definitely be considering Alofts for most of my business stays. Comparing the costs of Aloft Dallas to W Dallas, including Internet, parking, breakfast etc… I’d say there’s about a $130-$150USD/night in savings. That’s quite a considerable amount when you have a cost-conscious client, and really – for a midweek stay, you don't lose much.
Whoever’s responsible for the concept has done a FANTASTIC job. They’ve taken the best aspects of the W chain, and the best aspects of a cheaper “sibling” chain, and combined them. 10/10! I wonder if these are canabalising W's business? Probably not, but if they are, it might just be a wakeup call for some Ws to lift their game.
Lobby
Re-fuel
Room in Dallas
Room in Dallas
Pool
Imageshack - hallwayi
Hallway
Imageshack - connectionsm
Connections for devices (Houston. Dallas' one had a few less connections)
Imageshack - amenities
Amenities
Cheers,
- Febs.
PS: The 6 image limit is a bit limiting here, especially when it includes smilies!
