travel2much - 10/04/2010 00:33 GMT
I tried the new ALOFT near ORD the other day. Pretty neat place and great price. Has anyone else stayed at an aloft?
Aloft Hotels
Posts
Kalman36 - 20/10/2010 09:01 GMT
I recently went to the aloft in Abu Dhabi and I must say I really liked it. It’s trendy, colourful, bright and very different to the traditional some might say dated and old fashioned brands out there.
Aloft’s promotional material includes the following words and phases which kind of sum up the brand: “sassy, vivacious, playful, with personality in spades, savvy, confident and in-the-know, Aloft attracts like-minded personalities active spaces and an open sensibility further provide forward thinking guests the empowered experience of control”.
If your looking for something different and you don’t immediately throw up on hearing these words/phases above it’s definately worth staying at the aloft in Abu Dhabi.
BusinessTraveller - 20/10/2010 09:49 GMT
Hi travel2much - here's our recent review of the Aloft Abu Dhabi:
http://www.businesstraveller.com/tried-and-tested/hotels/abu-dhabi/aloft-abu-dhabi
And here's an article looking at the "limited-service" sector, with more details on what guests can expect from the Aloft brand:
http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/special-report-limited-service-hotels
ANDREWYOUNG1 - 20/10/2010 10:04 GMT
I stayed at Aloft IAD earlier this year and thought it was excellent, very funky room, really comfy bed with an 'at home' feeling duvet and the Bliss products in the bathroom were a nice touch for a budget hotel. The gym was very good too, better than some up-scale hotels I've stayed in. Am looking forward to trying others around the world.
Stentor - 20/10/2010 19:27 GMT
Hate to be the party popper, but I am currently at the Aloft @ O'Hare in Chicago. Terrible service. Only one bottle of water per room per stay, or come downstairs!?! Trying too hard to be "cool". Ticker out of synch with the market. Beds have no box springs. Closet is ridiculously small. No room service, even delivery orders you have to come to lobby! If service is like this at all Alofts, good luck building any recurring, hard-core business travelers.
Kalman36 - 21/10/2010 09:51 GMT
Stentor maybe you weren't sassy or vivacious enough to fully connect with the aloft brand! I think you could stick to the more traditional brands.
ANDREWYOUNG1 - 21/10/2010 09:56 GMT
I think Stentor misunderstands the definition of 'limited-service' hotels, clearly they aren't going to offer room service!
MontanaKen - 21/10/2010 10:51 GMT
Stayed at the Aloft at BWI last week - mostly to try it out. It was sassy and vivacious - I guess! The bed was definitely comfortable, but that was about the extent of the pros. Front desk service was awful; they told callers I had not checked in. The little closet with the fabric "door" was an absurdity, the paper-like window shades were cheap (yet sassy!) A discarded Chinese carry out box remained on the floor of the elevator lobby during my entire stay. I needed the hotel room for just one night to make a very early flight. But my curiosity is satisfied. Back to real hotels.
Kalman36 - 22/10/2010 08:50 GMT
Coincidentally there is an article in todays Metro newspaper (in London) about the new aloft that has opened in Brussels.
http://www.metro.co.uk/lifestyle/travel/844731-new-era-brussels-says-aloha-to-aloft
travel2much - 22/10/2010 14:22 GMT
I agree with ANDREWYOUNG1...Stentor certainly would have gotten all of those services (except for maybe the box spring) had he paid $300/night at the W in downtown Chicago. But is the extra $200 worth an extra bottle of water or a package brought up to your room for you? if you want to consider "limited service" a negative thing, then I hope you would consider your low $100 room rate a positive quality to make up the difference!
flyingbunny - 22/10/2010 15:13 GMT
But ALOFTORD, you work for Aloft in Chicago O'Hare (where Stentor stayed) so it's no wonder you agree with ANDREWYOUNG1.
http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/special-report-limited-service-hotels
Anyone stayed at the Brussell's property yet? I'm going there in a couple of weeks, might try it out.
GeorgeG - 22/10/2010 15:23 GMT
Good grief flyingbunny - you've got a keen eye.
I think Aloft is great. Also like Hilton Garden Inn - had to stay in the Luton one once. Fine except the 'shop' selling snacks was as bad as mini bar prices so defeated the point.
I'm staying at Brussels shortly so I will let you know.
ANDREWYOUNG1 - 22/10/2010 15:25 GMT
Well I don't think the point I made was much to agree or disagree with, limited service hotels have limited service by definition, so don't complain about a limited service hotel having limited service. That was the only point I was making.
GeorgeG - 22/10/2010 15:53 GMT
Absolutely, yes I agree - it's like when people complain about being squashed when flying long haul in economy. What did they expect?
Kalman36 - 30/11/2011 11:45 GMT
FYI the new aloft has now opened in Excel in London. However, this isn't your typical aloft. As far as I know a lot of money was spend on the development of the hotel, including leather covered lifts and a swimming pool, which are not standard for alofts.
http://www.aloftlondonexcel.com/
