Some work was being done on the house, so the Missus and I decided to make it a "date night" and spend the night in a downtown hotel. "Let's do PriceLine and get a five-star," I said. She agreed, and went on line with visions of the Graves 601, perhaps the new W hotel, or maybe the Ivy.
What turned up -- the place that accepted our $125 bid -- was the Hyatt Regency. Okay. I've stayed in Hyatts before. Not bad. Can expect them to keep up with the pack.
Not.
Shall I tell you first about what the recession has done to the downtown hotel business? About the vast, football-field sized restaurant, Taxxi, that had NO PEOPLE in it at dinnertime? About the lobby that was as lively as a mausoleum? About the eerieness of the hallways, obviously void of people?
Or shall I tell you about how this was so NOT FIVE STAR it had us talking about how we'd have been better off at the Days' Inn in Roseville? First, it was obviously a business hotel - nice desk and all, but, um, let's see...an OLD TV, not flat-screen, that you couldn't watch if you were in bed because of the way it was situated; the towels were cheap and scratchy; no bathrobes - which I thought were de rigeur for 5-stars; no DVD player available; no place to plug in the iPod. Bathroom big enough for "small people." Nothing to tell you it was luxury.
The weirdness made it a fun night. The missus climbed into bed with her book and fell asleep promptly. I emailed my ATF, got into bed, and slept till the breakfast of coffee and muffins we'd ordered arrived without butter.
First off, Priceline doesn't have 5 stars hotels, only 4 stars. Also, if you paid $150 you apparently don't know how to bid properly on Priceline and got absolutely screwed. I believe closer to $50 is the going rate for a 4 star in Downtown Minneapolis on there...
Sorry man, but you got ripped off by priceline. I've stayed there for $50/night on priceline. i don't know why they would consider that hotel a 5 star. That is certainly not that great a hotel.
I'm sorry to hear you didn't have that great of a time. I know that that hotel has been touted as a nice place for hobbying. I've never been there. I know the downtown Hilton seems very nice, tho. Recently spent the weekend at the St. Paul Embassy Suites. It's as nice as it's always been but not 5 star. Still has the trademark ducks in the lobby. A strange observation is that the higher class hotels charge you a daily fee for parking and internet access and the moderate to low echelon ones offer it for free. What's up with that??!!
Just had a great night last week a the Ivy, with a dear friend. It's not cheap, but is is very good. Two 42" plasmas, DVD player, she brought her own movie. The food we ordered though room service was great, the wine was good. BTW the lady was/is fantastic! Let's just say we did not climb into bed with a book.
The corporate rate for the W is only $120- most people know the hyatt is average at best. Next time do you research on trip advisor. Sorry to hear you got bum deal.
You should see the hotels in NYC. Some of them definitely have a "barren" atmosphere. It's creepy. I didn't move to Manhattan for the "ghost town" vibe!
Unfortunately it looks like your attempt to purchase VIP membership has failed due to your card being declined. Good news is that we have several other payment options that you could try.
VIP MEMBER
, you are now a VIP member!
We thank you for your purchase!
VIP MEMBER
, Thank you for becoming VIP member!
Membership should be activated shortly. You'll receive notification!
