The Durham Hotel

I wouldn't return unless I was going to an event. The food was just okay, and I didn't care for the drink I ordered. It was assumed I wanted it warm, which is on me for not clarifying, though it would've been nice if someone had asked. The server who brought the food looked like she was having the worst day and seemed really sad. I can only speak about the cafe in the lobby. It looks nice, but the music is much too loud for working or even having a conversation. The bar employees weren't rude, but they weren't very welcoming either. They spent a lot of time chatting to each other about their personal business, loudly enough for plenty of people to hear.

The lobby is cozy and the hotel is a fun, hip place to hang out. The food used to be really delicious, but over the last few years it hasn't been as good. It seems like they put less effort into it now. I still count it among my favorite spots, but I come more for the atmosphere than the food.

The room was only so-so, and the good service from the door and check-in staff didn't make up for what came after. We'd booked expecting full service, and thought we could stay in the hotel apart from going to our concert. The dining room looked nice, but the setup was basically self-serve. We had to order drinks and carry them ourselves, then order meals at the bar and take a table number card for food delivery. That wasn't what I'd expect, or deserve, at a hotel advertising this standard and price. When the food came, the staff member delivering it wore ragged khakis, an untucked shirt, and sneakers, with no uniform. The elevator wasn't working, so we had to wind through staff-only areas to reach the housekeeping/freight elevator. Walking past mop buckets and housekeeping carts was less than appealing. Parking is OFF SITE, as the website says. Multiple very aggressive panhandlers along the way left us feeling uncomfortable and less than safe walking to and from the lot. It's a shame the valet service they'd offered before was discontinued, since that would've helped with the panhandler problem. As I told the front desk at checkout, "I don't know who should be more embarrassed, the hotel for taking my money or me for giving it to them."

The rooftop bar was well stocked and welcoming, and the hotel is a perfect base for visiting Durham, close to downtown restaurants. My one complaint is the coffee area. Too many "breakfast" meetings and people on their own with computers take up the big tables, leaving residents without enough places to sit. One area was all reserved, but we sat there anyway because it was the only suitable spot.