Aloft by Marriott Raleigh

The location is especially handy if you need to be near NC State, since the hotel is across from campus among restaurants and shops. I was there just one night. The room was clean, nicely laid out, and had a comfortable bed and pillow, plus Drybar shower products and great water pressure. No clock, which was annoying. The bar was very nice, and Robin was pleasant and attentive. Prices were reasonable.

The room actually got cold, which mattered most to me, and there’s free parking in the deck behind the hotel. It also has a dedicated Uber pickup zone, a comfortable bed, a good location, and it was clean. I only stayed one night but will definitely be back. What’s not to like?

The bell tower view was really pretty, and the rooms were great. Tiffany at the front desk was wonderful and accommodating. We were there for Christmas, and she helped make the stay feel special.

The parents' club card promised a free night after 10 paid nights, but Aloft Raleigh wouldn’t honor it. We’re NC State football season ticket holders and have a child studying at NC State, so I book our hotel rooms as soon as the schedule comes out. This year, for some reason, Aloft required prepaid rooms through the Marriott site. Near the end of the season, before the second-to-last home game, I noticed we’d filled the club card and should have earned a free night. The receptionist said they handled it all the time, but told me to contact Edie, who would help. I have the emails if Marriott wants to review them. With less than a week to go, I tried Edie, then sent a message to Aloft’s general email. They replied that because the upcoming booking was prepaid, they couldn’t apply the free night, and high occupancy for the game meant they couldn’t switch the reservation to a comp night. I asked why they couldn’t comp the cheaper prepaid rate. They said they didn’t think I had to prepay. I explained that I’m a Marriott Gold Elite Member and have stayed at a hotel or two. I don’t like paying in advance, but I like Aloft’s location. I thought they could comp the cheaper rate for the month I’d paid nine months earlier, rather than a higher rate that wouldn’t be paid until arrival. After that, Edie stopped responding. I’ve made several more attempts and haven’t heard back. I’m glad there are other Marriott-backed hotels in Raleigh. I’ll miss Aloft’s location, but it’s hard to keep supporting a hotel that gives its main customers false hope about what they’ll get.