07/28/08

LOUDEST HOTEL ROOM I'VE EVER BEEN IN. Yikes.

by prs1

I've been in many very expensive and very chic hotels. But no matter how strangely designed this hotel is, it's all pointless because i COULD NOT SLEEP THERE. It's literally above a LOUD music club and our room was insanely loud. I mean, it's like you're in an old apartment and your next door neighbor has an entire band in his room. The bass literally vibrated the bed. The front desk's solution? Earplugs. The staffmember did admit that this is a very common complaint. But when I complained at checkout they basically just waved a drink charge, pennies compared to the huge room cost. This hotel is way overpriced for a room that is unacceptably loud until the band stops past midnight. Especially because they already know it's a huge problem.

• Pros: interestingly designed, albeit sometime less than functional
• Cons: THAT DAMN BAND BELOW MY ROOM

01/26/08

Too expensive

by thielen

First I would consider myself in the high income demographic. That being said I don't consider myself cheap. I visited this fairly new and noticeable un-popular lounge Friday night. I believe I was one of 12 people in the bar at 10pm. I DID like the decor and the attractive female staff. I ordered (2) Belvedere Martini's. I decided to leave because I was falling asleep. I then went to pay the bill and it was $42. First of all I've been to the best bars in Miami to Las Vegas and I they don't charge $22 for a standard Belvedere Martini. Come on..........I think you should re-think you prices to attract more people to visit your bar. I ended up happily going to another venue and drank $12 Belvedere Martini's with three times more to look at.

06/20/07

Where Form Trumps Function....

by simplybp

This is a hotel whose whole message is about design.... and it does have a unique, semi-industrial look to it. I am half way through a week-long stay, and can tell you that I would trade some of this style for a little more creature comfort.Tucked between Croce's restaurant and a way-too-loud Patrick's II Blues Bar, The Keating definitely outdid itself on Pininfarina styling.... my room has gray painted concrete floors, stainless steel & glass double sink, a Lavazza Blue espresso machine, B&O stereo and flat screen HDTV. The mini-bar and snack bar are stocked with goodies, but read the menu first! Only the espresso is included in the price... offerings range from $3 for a small chocolate bar, to $120 for a 375ml bottle of Belvedere Vodka. Also available is a $15 Disposable Digital Camera, an $18 Kama Sutra Kit, a $7 Intimacy Kit, and a $5 First Aid Kit. The sequence of using these "Essentials" (as they are called) is up to you, preferably after consuming the Belvedere! The staff is very friendly, and spends a lot of time explaining the design of the room - which is good sized, but the sleeping chamber also contains the sink and shower (a cool blue glass affair with two shower heads, an overhead rain head, and a hand-held wall mounted head) - only the toilet is isolated in a small chamber, complete with sliding door and phone, but inadequate ventilation, if you get my drift. After a short lesson on light controls (both wall mounted and remote control), TV operations, and of course the espresso machine, I was left alone to explore. Oh, but I don't drink coffee, I drink tea! One call to the 24/7 help line rewarded me with a tea set-up consisting of three bags, a large cup, and spoon. Excellent! But I'm now three days into the stay, and no-one can explain how to get hot water out of the espresso machine! These folks are trying, but the have some room to go.

Bottom line: too noisy - curtains & carpet would help; trade some cool for comfort!

• Pros: Cool industrial styling; location in Gaslamp; employees who are TRYING; good bed
• Cons: Employee training shortcomings; street and room noise; no restaurant