The Hyatt Regency at the Arch

Check out my room here! https://youtu.be/KTiuZtOcwys

Staying downtown is a one-of-a-kind experience in every city, but with its famous arch, St. Louis stands out. Naturally, there are a couple of hotels that take advantage of their views of the structure. Not the least of which is the Hyatt Regency at the Arch.

Located within walking distance, the building itself stands out.  Its regal architecture giving a graceful nod to the city’s heritage.  At night, the view from the Arch-sided rooms is stunning. But they do cost extra, so you might want to consider the splurge for a special occasion or when you have time to explore the city properly.

Aside from the grand, almost cavernous lobby, its three full-service restaurants and a Starbucks, my experience as a guest was disappointing. The front desk staff are efficient, if not slightly inexperienced. When I asked to pay in advance for Erin’s valet service (more about that in a moment), the young man behind the counter looked at me puzzled before replying that I could only do that if I was paying for an extra room.

That’s not true, and another member of the department quickly stepped in to remedy the situation, but it was still an odd response.

The valet and guest services staff were also very helpful and approachable, but housekeeping was meh. They seemed to stock towels and toiletries in my room consistently, but routinely overlooked hair and toilet paper-two things I am less willing to forgive. As a frequent traveler with a tight schedule, I want to spend my time focusing on my trip-not rationing toilet paper and pondering the origins of some random body hair stuck to the shower.

While the bed was made and fresh towels and coffee pods were left out, the room was noticeably dingey. The nightstands weren’t wiped down, the shower curtain was covered in soap and strands of hair were scattered about.  I reported this to a very nice man at the guest services desk and when I returned later, the shower curtain had been replaced, but the hair remained.

Sigh.

The coil mattress was unremarkable (for a Super 8, that is) and not at all worthy of the prestigious chain and its inflated prices.  And I noticed several general upkeep issues as well-far more than I expected for a global chain. Not all of the lights worked in my room, the water pressure for both the shower and toilet were poor-resulting in double flushes and less than satisfying showers. The rooms were not very well insulated and resulted in my hearing every guest and maintenance person that walked by.  

The HVAC system was also sub-par. The room felt clammy and uncomfortable. The only way to counter its excessive humidity was to increase the temperature, leaving me with the choice of either feeling sweaty or soggy.

Also, no self-parking was available the entire length of my stay-which was understandable for an evening or a special event, but days without access to this amenity resulted in an automatic fee hikes for valet services that really should have been comped by the hotel. In the hospitality business, if you offer it, you should be prepared to provide it.  The lower-end hotels manage to do this just fine.

My takeaway: Just stay at the Super 8 and use the savings to see the Arch up close.

Do you have a hotel you would like me to review? Send me a line at toilandtroublemediagroup@gmail.com

The Brut Hotel

Check out my room here! https://youtu.be/72kJAOJGemM

Many take weekend getaways as a way to escape and unwind.

Not me. I’ve got a story around every corner I’m dutifully working to release!

But while staying at the perfect hotel is essential for the success of any mini vacation, not many are aware of the wide variety available. Like the Brut Hotel in Tulsa.

Nestled in the heart of the city, the Brut sits almost as an oasis. Located across from the hotel is a park which offers a calm green, almost picturesque compliment. Its natural surroundings and minimalist, Zen vibe let visitors know immediately this is no random Hilton or Hyatt.

I didn’t take advantage of the available valet services. But with ample public parking available right next to the hotel, there really wasn’t any need to. The front desk staff was very helpful and efficient. They moved quickly to check me in and then were out of the way.

The room and bathroom were very spacious. There was an oversized kitchenette counter that took up most of the wall opposite the bed. The television was well-spaced as were the other furnishings. The room’s amenities followed a design plan identical to the public spaces.  There were lots of woven grass baskets and block prints scattered throughout the room.

One unexpected feature I noticed right away was the absence of a coffee pot.  This was replaced by an electric tea kettle and generous sized ceramic mugs. Coffee at the Brut is steeped just like the tea, which I found relaxing and not at all alarming.

There was also a pair of ear plugs placed on the nightstands, like some hotels leave a mint. It was an odd detail. I really didn’t see a need for them. The hotel was quiet enough not to warrant them.

The bathroom was also very roomy. The vanity was large enough to easily accommodate more than one guest. Baskets on the floor held extra towels and a hair dryer. The closet contained space for some clothing and 2 robes, inviting guests to immerse themselves and unwind. The shower was a little tiny, given the amount of space available. But was still efficient and given the number of places one can go to stretch their legs, was forgivable.

I was very impressed with the fitness center located in the basement. By hotel standards, it is stellar! It included a peloton bike, gym quality rowing machine, free weights and treadmills.

I didn’t have the opportunity to try out the Brut’s in-house spa located right next door, but it was well advertised with fliers in the common areas and in the room itself. Nor did I use the hotel’s shuttle service, but it remained just outside the hotel’s front entry, readily available.

But the rooftop bar and restaurant were great and were sophisticated and comfortable. The meals were tasty and reasonably priced as were the cocktails. There was also a nice assortment of local beers on tap. Diners on the rooftop patio were treated to a great view of the city below. There was also a nice grotto behind the hotel for guests who preferred to unwind a little closer to the ground.

Additional activities are also advertised regularly. During my stay, they were holding yoga classes on Saturday mornings when the bar was closed and had just wrapped up a wellness festival the weekend before.

The coffee bar located next to the front desk was also surprisingly nice for a hotel amenity. It’s outfitted like a small craft coffee shop and staffed with a legitimate barista. It also serves a small assortment of gourmet pastries for the traveler who wants to grab a quick bite before heading back out on the road. 

Despite all these extras, the cost of the stay was very reasonable compared to the other higher-tier hotels in the city. And it certainly surpassed many of them.

My takeaway: put the phone on Do Not Disturb, grab your comfy clothes and settle in for a relaxing getaway.

Do you have a hotel you would like me to review? Send me a line at toilandtroublemediagroup@gmail.com

St. Louis Union Station Hotel

Check out my room here! https://youtu.be/pKkG37jNBNg

I admit it, I’m a pretty shallow consumer when it comes to picking hotels. I tend to gravitate towards initial appearances.  When my schedule took me back to St. Louis, I liked what I saw and decided to stay at the Hilton Curio’s St. Louis Union Station Hotel.

I really need to stop doing that!

The facility itself is gorgeous. A former railway station, the building now houses the hotel, several event spaces, three restaurants and an aquarium. It has also become the center of a mid-sized midway including carnival games, a mini-golf course, a Ferris wheel, several additional eateries and a koi pond that holds musical fire and light shows every hour. On the surface, you would think a hotel that boasts those kinds of attractions would have its act together when it comes to hospitality.

And like me, you would be wrong.

During my stay, I was planning to meet up with my husband, Dave. He had made the reservation weeks before and the plan was to travel separately and meet up later that night. But my schedule called for me to be in town earlier and I arrived around one in the afternoon. Exhausted and saddled with my luggage, portable office and laptop, I hoped to drop them off in my room before my next meeting to avoid the possibility of them being stolen from my car.

I looked up the hotel’s number on the website and called, asking if it was possible to check in early. I was told I could, so long as I could provide ID and the method of payment. No problem, I thought.  As usual, we had made the reservation with my credit card.

When I arrived, the woman at the front desk looked annoyed and asked if I had Dave with me. Momentarily thinking about the question, I replied, “Well, not in my roller luggage.” It was peculiar, to be sure, but I supposed I couldn’t fault her for asking.

Appearing less than amused, she then asked if I had the confirmation code.

Of course, I didn’t. Whoever asks for those? 

She then informed me that I couldn’t check in without Dave’s approval. Put out but not wanting to be a jerk, I called him to obtain it, using my speaker phone feature so she could hear.

He was still on the road when he answered and offered to provide whatever identifying information was needed to let me in the room. But the desk representative insisted he provide the confirmation code, which naturally he didn’t have either and would have required him to pull off the highway to look up.

With three other front desk workers looking on, she shrugged. I was out of luck.

In the past, when I have not been able to check in for one reason or another, the front desk staff have always offered to put me in another room temporarily or hold my luggage until the matter was resolved. The woman at the front counter could definitely see we had a reservation and that I had the predetermined method of payment in hand. But to my dismay, none of this mattered. After driving over five hours to get there, the Hilton left me hanging.

I wasn’t even offered a cart or pointed in the direction of an elevator. In full view of four front desk staff members, I lugged my luggage back down two flights of stairs and through the pass way before having to exit the building and walk all the way around to my parking spot.

If that wasn’t inconvenient enough, I had to pull all of my luggage into the public restroom with me to use the facilities.

All the while, the four of them watched me struggle without saying a word. As a small bruise began to form on my forearm, I consoled myself that at least my floor show was entertaining.

That said, the housekeeping, door man, valets and bar waitstaff were fantastic. It’s a shame they aren’t assigned to other places within the hotel with more public contact.  But the entire hotel felt very segmented and categorized and no one went out of their lane. The kitchen staff ran with the kitchen staff, the doorman and valet stuck by the door.

And it was apparent that practice really left some major gaps in the hotel’s abilities to handle spontaneous day-to-day customer service issues. Dishes remained outside rooms overnight and well into the following day because the kitchen didn’t appear to communicate room service to housekeeping. Security didn’t alert the doorman when they were restricting access to parts of the hotel for special events.

Nor could these groups count on the front desk for help. Those guys were as useless as a snowplow in the tropics.

At one point during my stay, a young housekeeper was wrangling a cart packed for an extended hike on the Appalachian Trail when a cleanser bottle fell and spilled everywhere. In spite of dozens of employees skuttling about, no one was there to help her clean it up-or even help her get the massively awkward cart in and out of the elevator.

It just seems like too big a place to do that. Which is a bummer, because the she looked drained, not happy.

The experience for visitors isn’t much better. For newcomers, the facility itself is very difficult to navigate. Common spaces like the lobby, pass way and court yard are ridiculously spaced with lots of massive gaps.

Very few ramps or elevators are easily visible, causing visitors to drag their luggage up wide flights of stairs as I did. While this could pose obvious difficulties for older guests as well as those with small children or mobility issues, neurodivergent people and those with environmental sensitivities may also find this problematic. Disabled veterans with trauma-related issues may also find the acoustics and large number of potential concealment sites stressful.

And the elevators the hotel has are not clearly marked. Instead, they are often camouflaged by ornate doors which appear to be for employees only or behind locks requiring room keys to use. Many of the more direct passageways are obstructed this way too. I certainly got my steps in as I had to walk around the massive complex several times before and after check in and during the many private events during my stay.

At one point, after being dropped off outside one of the hotel’s main entrances, I was told the hotel had closed access by that side of the building that day and was redirected to another door.

When I reached that door, I was intercepted by three other hotel staff (special events staff, not doormen) who said I was not allowed to come inside that way either. Again, I was directed to go around to another entrance on a different side of the building.

Great! Just what I wanted! Another walk!

Besides being annoying, the confusion concerns me with the hotel’s overall safety in terms of fires and other evacuation scenarios. If nobody knows what’s going on, how can they safely direct guests? And likewise, how are guests supposed to exit if they cannot find the appropriate path without a hike?

Then there are the elevators which sometimes do not display the correct floor or even show up when called. The keypad is equally confusing, labeling the third-floor lobby as “lobby” but the floor signal displays 3 (or sometimes another number.) The lobby button on the keypad also routinely remains illuminated as if you haven’t reached the floor yet, leaving you to realize later that you missed it. I watched so many families and confused travelers go up and down the floors on their quest to simply go outside!

The rooms themselves are plenty big enough but are sorely plain and very disappointing when compared to the public spaces of the station itself. If I had to categorize the design theme, I would describe it as early modern Ho Jo.  Like Howard Johnson, the rooms are well arranged and clean, except for the fork I found in a bathroom nook along with a hairdryer and iron.

I’m not sure if it was there on purpose. It’s kind of hard not to discount logic at some point during your stay simply as a coping mechanism.

There was no vent in the bathroom, which makes sharing a room a little less convenient and something I did not expect from a high-end hotel. As were the mattresses, which were so-so and definitely not worth the cost of the stay.  I was further disappointed to find the literature left on the desk by the television informed guests that the Grand Hall Market and the Station Grille Restaurant were available for breakfast-at an additional charge.

But in the midst of the chaos, I discovered a way to eat breakfast for free.

Let me tell you more…

Tucked away on the third floor by rooms 3002-3319 is an Executive Lounge which serves continental breakfast for “members”. 

As I investigated, it began to feel like the Executive Lounge was the hotel’s version of Area 51. Members of what? I’m still not really sure.  This is not something the hotel advertises or offered as a program, as far as I could tell. The front desk staff said nothing about a promotional program or the existence of this space.

Then again, I’m not entirely sure they would say something if I was still struggling to get all my suitcases out of the public restroom.

About halfway down the hallway is a sign welcoming you to the space, before telling you that a train key is necessary to be permitted access, that you will have to present your key to the Lounge Attendant, and you are forbidden access if you do not have the key.

But if you arrive during the breakfast rush hour (somewhere between 8a and 9a), someone will invariably hold the door open for you. And the attendant, responsible for clearing tables, refilling coffee pots and re-stocking food and dishes, will be far too occupied to verify whether or not you have a train key.

Or perhaps it’s not the attendant’s job to check for keys? Maybe there is another key-person whose job it is to do that? This hotel loves it’s compartmentalization.

If you aren’t a jerk, you can enjoy an average hotel breakfast on them. Either way, the front desk will never know.

My takeaway: Very little value for the hype. Enjoy the public amenities but stay somewhere else.

Do you have a hotel you would like me to review? Send me a line at toilandtroublemediagroup@gmail.com

Aloft Dallas

Check out my room here! https://youtu.be/9B9QdY9hBqU

I am prepared to die on this hill: boutique hotels beat chains all day, every day. 

But not all overnight travel make this possible. Corporate business trips, for example, love franchises and their convenient billing practices. Which is a shame, but what can you do?

After bashing Hilton and Hyatt hotels a time or two, a reader pointed out that I have neglected Marriott hotels. So the next time I was staying in Dallas, I decided to give their Aloft a try.

The hotel, geared towards the convenience-obsessed business traveler, definitely tries to live up to its brand. It was well-marked and easy to find, located within walking distance of shops, restaurants and businesses and parks. This can’t be said for every business within the city and after dealing with traffic creeping along at fifteen miles an hour during the most absurd rush-hour imaginable, I was grateful for the reprieve.  But it is not located near dog-friendly facilities so be prepared to walk your dog a few blocks when needed.

Parking was easy to access, but one needs to take extra steps to validate parking if they do not want a ticket for just under a hundred dollars a day on their windshield.  The front desk does have a bar code/QRL code guests can scan to ensure parking enforcement doesn’t ticket their car that they keep behind a piece of plexiglass, but it is often moved around and may not be readily visible.

The lobby is designed with an open reception area. The snack area and food window were very convenient whether you wanted to eat in your room, the reception area or take it on the road. The hotel bar was very casual and comfortable. And there was plenty of seating as well as a pool table.  

Aside from the cleanliness of the facilities, the cleaning staff are virtually invisible.

The rooms themselves repeat this theme of efficiency first, second and third. Very stylish, but not well thought out.  Along the wall with the window was a lovely desk with a lamp and hardwired connectivity access, but no USB or electrical plug. The seating area was also designed to be appealing, but not practical. The large television was mounted directly above the window seating, forcing guests to watch from the bed across the room or on the floor.

Although very spacious and easily maneuverable for those utilizing wheelchairs, the placement of other amenities also seemed to ignore accessibility. Reaching electrical outlets, thermostat and the coffee pot might prove difficult for someone unable to stand and the position of the minifridge under the sink might obstruct using the vanity as well.

Yep, the “kitchenette” area and bathroom occupy the same space. Yuck!

The room itself was very quiet. Guests were well-spaced and I hardly noticed any traffic outside my door at all.  With a Get up and Get at it vibe, it made the stay simple. Which, when traveling for business, can be a plus in itself.

It should be mentioned that if you plan to utilize special discount rates like government or others, special attention will need to be paid to ensure you are not overcharged. Mistakes do occur and the front desk staff are not able to make these corrections themselves.  All billing issues, as well as parking over charges are referred to the hotel’s manager-who seems to keep bankers hours.

But overall, it lived up to all expectations.  Good job, Marriott!

My takeaway: book a room with Aloft when you have high expectations for your trip, and simple expectations for your stay.

Do you have a hotel you would like me to review? Send me a line at toilandtroublemediagroup@gmail.com

The Wolf Hotel

Check out my room here! https://youtu.be/wkMJ9g7kI30

Like a lot of former boom towns in Kansas, Ellinwood doesn’t boast much nowadays except for its heritage. But all of it is on full display at the Wolf Hotel.

Built in 1894, it continues to operate as a hotel today-something that earns it a place among the boutique hotels covered in this blog. In spite of its age and structural challenges (we’ll unpack those in a moment), the building has been very well taken care of. The HVAC system is very comfortable and the plumbing is on point. Unlike the New Orleans Hotel, I didn’t see one outlet box sporting either a hole or a rag.

The rooms are spacious and well organized, plenty of outlets. Beds are large and comfy. The in-room television can be easily seen from the sitting areas and bed. It should be noted that a couple rooms share a common bathroom, a non-starter for me unless I am sharing a Verbo or an Air BNB with my family. But the rooms equipped with private bathrooms also have a glass window installed just above the bathroom door-which provides ventilation but can also disturb those still sleeping by illuminating the entire room. So, often you end up choosing between lighting up your room or peeing in the dark.

But given its age, the Wolf Hotel has a lot of the amenities reminiscent of larger, more sophisticated hotels-just on a smaller, more folksy level. The hotel does not have room-service, but the guest floor houses an upstairs kitchen/dining area is similar to Wyndham Grand clubroom-minus the awesome barista coffee maker and connectivity sites. And across the hall is a sitting lounge which reminds me of the Club Quarters in Chicago, if it was decorated in the style of a 1980’s southeast Kansas grandma.

There are no restaurants in town. So for a long trip, bring a cooler and plan to get creative.

The main lobby downstairs consists of a small front desk outside a large dining hall which can be rented out for parties and special events. They hold a chicken dinner one Sunday each month, which locals tell me is very popular. On the other side is a mockup of a bank that once operated there, displayed as if it were in a museum. Many others are displayed in other areas of the hotel, which the staff will be happy to show you if asked.

It should be noted there is a definite lack of accommodations for those with mobility issues and those with perception or vision issues may also find many of the non-standard details (like placement of lighting, size of stair rises, placement of handrails, etc.) challenging. The building also remains largely unchanged in terms of interior noise dampening and activity occurring in the hall and other rooms is easily heard from inside other hotel rooms as well. Those who have difficulty sleeping in a strange place or with PTSD or similar issues may also want to keep in mind and prepare themselves accordingly.

Parking directly next to the building is not available. The parking lot behind the hotel actually belongs to the bank next door which tows vehicles of those not doing business with them. Guests actually park behind the building next door across the alley. That might make wheelchair accessibility and neurological issues a bit more difficult as well.  No one utilized a service animal during my visit, so I’m not sure how the hotel handles them, but the closest area for pets to relieve themselves is a couple blocks away or across the main highway, which could be a concern.

While I would like to see more ADA accommodations (as should we all), the hotel staff were fantastic-even for a skeleton crew on a full-house weekend. The front desk staffer was also the hotel’s in-house tour guide and ghost hunter, a woman who was both very personable and approachable. A local, she was very familiar with the local history of the community and the hotel itself and spoke about each with affection. While not the owner of the property, it was easy to see she took pride in the establishment and was personally invested in the experience of each guest.

As her husband could attest. The poor man was left to wait on her for hours-well after her shift ended, while she tied up loose ends and chatted with guests. But he didn’t mind. She really loved the place, he said.

While the town itself doesn’t boast much nowadays, it does retain a bit of curious history in the form of underground tunnels that run both sides of it’s main street. Tunnel and hotel tours are available for an extra cost, but are reasonably priced and well worth it.  In addition, the hotel is home to an underground speakeasy which they continue to operate. Like the hotel, the menu is simple. Comprising of draught beer, chips and light pub snacks. But the bartender was a wealth of local knowledge, and knew his way around a prohibition-era cocktail.

The cost for the experience was very reasonable. In spite of its rustic appearances, reservations can be made on their website as well as finding other news and information about the hotel.

My takeaway, soak up some history, memories and a forbidden cocktail or two!

Do you have a hotel you would like me to review? Send me a line at toilandtroublemediagroup@gmail.com

The Mayo Hotel

Check it out here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebcTt9r4mXI

Two words can be used to describe The Mayo Hotel in downtown Tulsa, opulent and swanky. The hotel’s grandeur is an unapologetic throwback from a more glamorous era. Visitors can easily imagine Sylvester Stallone’s character from ‘Tulsa King’ lounging in the lobby.

As with most attractions downtown, parking was a challenge and it is almost impossible to find public parking that won’t set you back a bunch. During my stay, I relied on the hotel’s valet service which was very efficient and comparable in price to the public lots farther away. The guys were fast and friendly, having my car to me in minutes-even during peak demand hours.

The front desk staff were standoffish but were still organized and responsive. Given a majority of their clientele have no interest in being personable, being mechanic was understandable. I encountered a few of their ‘regular’ guests at the elevators as we were leaving the lobby. I had to reach past the Louis Vuitton luggage to press the button for my floor so as not to interrupt the conversation they were having about living the high life as a single American man in the Philippines.

Sorry, Sylvester. I think you missed out.

Even the rooms on the lower floors were large and roomy. The décor was tasteful and steeped in historical references. The peace and quiet of the room was impressive; even a thunderstorm passing overnight was undetectable.

Some of the amenities were a surprising letdown. The toilet paper was thin and cheap even by household standards, and the robes provided had seen better days. The in-room phone didn’t work, requiring me to use my cell phone and call the front desk through the general inquiry line when asking for additional towels. Despite the peculiar inconvenience, they did respond swiftly. I’m just not sure if going through the automated server saved me any time as opposed to stopping by the lobby in person.

The in-house café The Mark and the rooftop bar, The Penthouse were highlights of my stay. Each has a unique appeal any traveler would enjoy. The lone evening attendant at The Mark deserves a special shout-out as a one-man bartender, waiter and barista while handling each role superbly.

Overall, the cost of the room was too high to be considered a budget-friendly option. But the price was still comparable to other hotels downtown and right in line with the higher end franchise hotels like a Sheraton or Hilton. And neither of those can boast the style and history of the Mayo Hotel.

My takeaway: pack your favorite suit, make reservations at a nice restaurant and hit The Mayo. You’re sure to come away feeling like a Tulsa King.

Do you have a hotel or inn you think I should review? Let me know on Facebook, Instagram or shoot me an email at toilandtroublemediagroup@gmail.com