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

The Tulsa Club

Check it out here!

Some hotels are distinctive as a brand. Others are distinctive in spite of it. Take the Tulsa Club Hotel. Part of Hilton’s fancy Curio Collection, the hotel is located mere blocks away from several swanky restaurants and the Mayo Hotel. With streetside spaces a commodity, finding parking can be a challenge. There is a parking garage nearby, but with the valet service only a small upcharge, it would certainly be worth it during peak hours.

And that concludes the monetary savings you will find staying at this hotel. The cost of the stay was a little on the pricier side by Tulsa standards, no doubt based on its Deco District location. Dining and room service was also on the finer end, as was the price.  

While the architecture and design of the building are impressive, it was the hotel staff (valet, front desk, waitstaff and housekeeping) that really made my stay feel like a value. They were fantastic, very friendly and approachable.

The establishment felt very secure. I never saw less than three hotel employees within immediate view of the front door even during the late evening hours. With space to accommodate large family meals and traveling business workers alike, it was clearly designed with multi-function in mind. The dining area was incredibly spacious, offering plenty of seating, light and tables. And plenty of electrical outlets, an all-important necessity.

The bar area on the other side of the dining area was equally private and accessible. The bartender was knowledgeable and well-versed in classic cocktails and wines. Her smoked old fashioned was a showstopper! Prepared in a glass display case, the applewood cold smoke filled the drink as well as the other customers’ attention.

The room was spacious and organized well. The bathroom was large enough to accommodate multiple guests or a wheel-chair/walker. The space around furnishings could do the same-without having to be a specially designated handicap room. I really like that. Except for parking tags, no one likes being labeled like that. 

The different lamps and overhead switches were a bit confusing and required a bit of a scavenger hunt for switches and dials. There was a slight learning curve for the shower as well. And the view from rooms on our side of the building were of the exterior wall of the building across the alley-private, but not exactly scenic.

The room was secure, offering two separate door locks. The TV was spaced well for viewing from the bed or other seating. The bed was solid and sturdy.  

The amenities weren’t anything to write home about, a couple travel-sized soaps you would find at any other establishment. The iron and hairdryer were ho-hum and the coffee pot and coffee samples were also not exactly up to an exclusive hotel standard.

Shout out to the Club Quarters: I still dream about your coffee maker.

Perhaps the most interesting amenity was an umbrella left in the closet with a card that read, “We are here for you.” Farther down the card in smaller lettering was a notice alerting guests who chose to actually use the umbrella that they would be charged $28 if they took the umbrella and didn’t return it,

Or returned it wet. Hmmm…

One detail I found peculiar was the noticeable absence of ice buckets in the rooms-which appears to be a hotel policy. In its place was a card instructing guests to call down to the front desk if they required ice and one would be brought up. While visiting the bar, I noticed a stack of ice buckets sitting on a window sill at the bar. They appeared quite average-looking, so I’m not really sure what the added supervision and security were for.

My takeaway: Stay to the Mayo and get an ice bucket.

Do you have a hotel or inn you would like me to review? Let me know on Facebook, Instagram or 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