The Lofts at 517

We had a great breakfast at Greenville landmark Jim's just down the block, and the hotel’s spot between The Downtown Grill and the Mercantile burcher shop is handy. The latter serves a southern meat and 3 for lunch. Around the lobby there’s a florist, 9.15, and a cute gift shop. The loft was beautiful and nicely decorated, with a large separate bedroom and bath, plus a living room. It also had a kitchen with dishes and an in-room washer and dryer, not coin laundry. We felt very safe and secure. Great stay. The fu iture of downtown Greenville is looking up.

This is a really nice place, far better than any hotel in the area. The apartments are well furnished, and there’s plenty of street parking right outside the door. Having the downtown grill and butcher downstairs and Mighty Miss brewing around the corner is great. A few things made the stay less convenient: though they advertise a full kitchen, there were only plates, cups, and silverware, with no cooking supplies, so for a two-night stay it was almost useless. Overnight guests also can’t use the elevator because it goes to the gated parking garage and has no access from street parking. Families should know the interior walls don’t reach the ceiling, so you can hear everything across the apartment even with doors closed. That makes it hard to watch TV or talk while kids are asleep.

The owner eventually texted my wife the next day and said the problem was with the travel booking site, not the Loft. We did get a full refund, but it didn’t make up for the romantic evening the place ruined. When we arrived for our reservation, it looked abandoned. I called the hotel contacts several times, but no one seemed willing to help us check in. We waited over an hour at a restaurant right next to the Loft, where the owner knew we were waiting, and got nothing but excuses. We had to stay at Harlow's Casino that night. The Loft’s website and room photos look very nice, but based on this service I’d strongly suggest booking somewhere else.

I called to ask about prices and, within about 30 seconds of the receptionist answering, was told they don’t take anyone after 5 p.m. I’d never even stayed there, and that alone upset me. When I asked if she could suggest a hotel, she said she didn’t know any others in town and that I could keep looking in other towns, she didn’t care either way. So rude and unprofessional. Southern hospitality? Forget it. I come down here quite a lot and wanted a neat, unique place to stay. I’ll never stay here, and I’ll tell my friends and family about this when they visit me.