Aloft by Marriott McAllen

They even kept my daughter’s earrings safe after she forgot them. We called, went back, and the staff had them ready for us. The place is always clean, including the bar and dining area, and the service there is friendly. Breakfast is included, and this is the best pet-friendly hotel to stay at in McAllen. Thanks, guys!

I’ve stayed at hotels from this ownership group across South Texas nearly every weekend, and I’ve been loyal to both Marriott and Hilton. That’s over now after Aloft, Marriott, and RUBY RED HOSPITALITY all left a $297 charge in place without a refund. I paid for the room with Bonvoy points, and it had only cost $120. GUILTY UNTILL PROVEN INOCENTE, apparently. The charge was described to me as an air cleaning fee after I rolled a joint in the room. I wasn’t smoking one. The claim was about a lingering fresh marijuana smell, which I believe would have cleared with time or air freshener. No policy was broken, and nobody warned me or spoke to me before the charge appeared on my card. The next weekend, when I returned to check in and asked what the charge was for, the front desk clerk brought out the GM, Jorge. He first said I’d smoked in the room, which wasn’t true, then changed that to say they smelled fresh marijuana. He showed me a poor-quality photo of a tiny speck and called it weed. I told him the smell would be gone in a few minutes and was no worse than old fast food or curry chicken. His response came across as bullying and a power trip, and I think he has personal issues to deal with. I complained to Marriott customer service. They said dismissing the fee was ultimately up to GM Jorge, and he didn’t dismiss it. No refund, nothing.

There’s waffle mix and a waffle maker at the complimentary breakfast area. I also really liked the bed and pillows, and the room layout made efficient use of the space. The decor is creative but minimal. Had a really enjoyable stay, and thanks to Maria at the front desk, the salsa really was fantastic!

Getting to the Convention Center is easy, just a short walk across the parking lot. There’s also excellent food and shopping nearby on foot, or about a two-minute drive away. The staff were amazing and went out of their way to make sure I had what I needed, including local recommendations. It’s a new property with nice rooms, very comfortable beds, and AC that gets really cold. If you’re coming to McAllen, Aloft is the place to stay.