Aloft by Marriott Denver Downtown

We felt safe parking in the attached lot, and the location was great, close to the Denver Center For The Performing Arts with plenty of good restaurants and fun bars nearby. Check-in was warm and friendly, and our room was comfortable and clean. I’d definitely recommend it.

The bathroom setup was awkward at night. The sink area was open, while a sliding door separated the toilet and shower. One switch lit both spaces, so someone either had to flood the room with light or use the toilet in the dark. The mini fridge sat under the bathroom sink, which didn’t bother me, though my partner disliked it. Parking was the biggest hassle. The hotel didn’t offer parking, and the three nearby lots it suggested charged around $30 per day and/or each time we parked. That made it inconvenient to return between outings, so we used a garage a few blocks away. It would have mattered less if we’d planned to stay downtown and walk or take transit. There are lots of restaurants nearby, and it’d be easier to get around on foot in warmer months. I rated the location low because of the parking, though this might suit someone traveling alone without a car better. We had no service issues, but our main interaction with the concierge was saying hello and goodbye as we came and went. Check-in and checkout were quick and easy. We were pointed toward the on-site laundry, but when we got there a sign said it was out of service. The sign was gone later that evening, but it was already late and we had an early morning, so we didn’t try again.

I’ve been a loyal Marriott member for years, as has my husband, so this was extremely disappointing. I’d had the reservation for months and had already checked in, but the day before arrival it was canceled. My trip was for a conference, and there were no hotels within walking distance, so I had to scramble to find somewhere to stay. The front desk manager was very rude. Nobody called me back with a solution or an apology, and no one mentioned that the card needed updating. It was the same card number; only the expiration date had changed. I’ll take my business elsewhere. Stay away if you expect the kind of service Marriott used to be known for.

I won’t stay here again. Before booking, I called and was told parking wasn’t charged for and that valet was standard. When we arrived, we asked to use a different lot because we weren’t comfortable with valet. They said we couldn’t, and that staying there meant using valet. It ended up costing $71.00, despite what I’d been told on the phone before making the reservation. The hotel said there was nothing they could do. I love Marriott and have a lot of points, so this was really disappointing. If this is how Marriott operates, I’ll have to reconsider where I take my business.