Rise Uptown Hotel

If you want to experience, or revisit, the 70s, this is a good fit. It has a nostalgic, aged feel, with a 70s vibe in the clean room. There are vinyl players in the rooms, and you can borrow records from the lobby to play. They had plenty of fresh towels and white cotton robes for the pool. Just know there’s no room service or pampering amenities. There are two bars, one by the pool and one on the roof in another building, but we didn’t try either.

The grounds were lovely, and the pool and hot tub being open around the clock was a nice touch. We had mostly quiet evenings and would stay again. The staff were friendly and accommodating, and the place was clean and orderly. Our room was nice, with a comfortable bed, though the open layout meant there wasn’t a separate enclosed shower area. I wasn’t totally keen on that, but got used to it. We don’t drink alcohol, so there wasn’t much we could get with the $15 a day drink credit. We should’ve checked into that more carefully to make better use of the perk.

The pool and hotel had a good vibe, but the missing amenities made this feel like three stars at best. It was advertised as a four-star hotel, which I found misleading. There was no coffee maker or microwave in the room, and no breakfast available. Housekeeping wasn’t daily either. Don Woods bar had no food, mixers, or even drink garnish.

My wife and I stayed here, and my brother-in-law and his wife had a room too. Our room, “210,” was close to the road and definitely loud, but a fan sound app drowned out the traffic for me. There was another room near the pool with a fire pit. I’d recommend splurging a little for that one. The rooms were beautiful, and the staff were accommodating and helpful. The shower was amazing, with very hot water, great pressure, and a showerhead at just the right height. I wish I’d taken more photos. We’ll definitely add this place to our must-go-back list.