The Fox Tower

We went to the wrong hotel first because I'd been told this one was right next to Hell’s Kitchen, and it wasn't. That put us way behind. When we finally got to our room, I'd been told it was on a newly renovated floor, but there was gum on the rug and the bathroom was dirty. After a show, our leftovers had been taken, so we wanted dessert and iced coffee. Around 11 p.m. I went looking for coffee pods. The front desk woman was finishing with another guest, so I waited off to the side. Then she snapped, “I AM WITH A CUSTOMER IS THERE SOMETHING YOU NEED?” I was embarrassed and said I was just looking for coffee for the room. She said she didn't have any, and told me to leave my room number so she could pass a note to housekeeping if she saw them. Calling housekeeping to our room was a fiasco too. The woman who came to the door didn't speak English and brought me a giant bag of coffee. Do better. I won't stay here again.

The room was okay, though the bed sat low to the ground. I also found it weird to have the coffee machine in the bathroom, and I won't use it. The front desk staff were friendly, but room service was another matter. I called at 10:30 a.m. yesterday and waited on hold for quite a while. When a woman finally answered, she was rude. I asked to order coffee for two. She clarified whether I meant two cups, and when I mentioned that Great Cedar had given me a carafe the week before, she said, “well you're in the Fox tower now not the Great Cedar and we do it different here.” That's a terrible way to speak to a guest. I guess with a service charge and 18% gratuity added automatically, there's no reason for them to be nice. The pool wasn't busy when I went. A server said she'd be right back to take my order, but it was almost 35 minutes before she returned. I also thought an employee wearing a two-piece bathing suit at the pool was very unprofessional.

The room, especially one sold as an upgraded suite, didn't feel worth the more than $600 we paid for a midweek stay. We chose a Producer Suite at Fox Tower for two nights, Wednesday and Thursday, checking out Friday, and paying extra over a standard room made the letdown worse. The suite looked tired and the furniture was visibly worn, though not terrible. It did have a nice view, decent space, and two TVs, but one lagged. The property looked clean, and the casinos, shops, and restaurants were what we expected. The bed was the main problem: creaky, sunken, and lumpy, with what seemed like a topper added to fix it. We slept poorly both nights. We've had better beds in lower-class hotels and motels. Housekeeping also wasn't daily by default. We left early the first day expecting fresh towels and a room refresh, but nothing had been done. When I called, they said service had to be requested. For a suite costing $300-plus a night, that should be standard. They did come after I asked. We were also woken around 9 a.m. by loud drilling from either the room next door or above us. I think three stars is generous, and I'm not sure we'll return.

The room on the 19th floor was quiet and relaxing, with a nice view. It was clean and pleasant, and the staff were friendly and helpful. They even sent the shuttle ahead of schedule so I could get to bingo on time. Weekday rates were a good value. I do wish there were a microwave in the room, and the internet connection wasn't great.