The Davidson

The second night of our two-night stay was very warm, and the air conditioning failed, making sleep difficult. We later learned a service man had accidentally unplugged the unit the previous afternoon. These things happen, but management never took responsibility or followed up reasonably. I emailed multiple addresses several times and got no reply. The AC issue itself became less troubling than the complete failure to address the customer care lapse, which greatly increased our initial disappointment. The Davidson management doesn't handle faults well, and looking at the reviews, this isn't the first time their communication has fallen short, despite promises over the past year to fix it. They had said, "we are sincerely sorry that you weren't able to connect with anyone and will be looking into this issue so it doesn't happen again in the future". After The Davidson's reply below, which acknowledged communication shortcomings, they still didn't contact us. It felt like polished words without meaningful or sincere regret. That was a shame because the building is beautiful, on a stunning street, and a unique place to stay. The university club affiliation added value to the experience, and our stay in the Davidson and the care at the St Paul university club were mostly excellent. Everyone we met in person was superb and helpful. Lidia and Gerardo in particular deserve commendation. I'd still suggest people consider staying here, and if things go well, I can see why there are so many positive reviews. My rating reflects management's failure to show any contrition for what happened.

The room was clean, well cared for, and very nice, and the location is great. My wife thought the couch wasn't comfortable, though I saw that as a minor issue. What let the stay down was the outside of the property and the entry problem. The front door no longer works, so guests have to use the side entrance, where five or six trash cans greet you. The old driveway and area behind the building were in disarray and badly needed maintenance, which felt disappointing for the price. Beforehand, I got a clear email explaining how to enter the building and room, but my side door code didn't work. It was meant to be a surprise for my wife, and being stuck outside was quite a surprise. I called and emailed with no response for at least 30 minutes. Two other couples arrived and couldn't get in either, and one said the codes often fail. At over $200 a night, guests should be able to enter. A couple who'd stayed before drove to another building to let someone know we were locked out. After more than 30 minutes I got a call with a new code. Luckily the weather was pleasant while I waited beside the trash storage area. I probably won't stay again because there are better choices for the cost. It wasn't terrible, but the problems didn't fit what I paid.

The room was spacious, with updates that suited the age of the house, and the piano was a fun extra. We enjoyed playing a little. The University Club dinner recommendation was spot on, an intimate, quiet setting. The fireplaces looked beautiful; as wood burners, my husband and I love a crackling fire, and it might be fun to have some realistic electric fire features or flameless candles. Everything else was splendid. There was a faint sewer smell in the bathroom when we arrived, though hopefully that can be fixed for future guests.

We only got a short stay here for my husband's birthday, and I wish it had been longer. It doesn't feel like an average hotel, which I loved. Our third-floor room was much more spacious than the smaller, cozier one we expected from the photos. The charming rooms have lovely antique furniture and art. It's also easy to walk along Summit and reach nearby restaurants. Such a beautiful place.