AC Hotel St. Petersburg Downtown

Alice at the front desk deserves a mention for being so kind and helpful. She made us feel welcome and went out of her way to accommodate us. We had lunch at Cane & Barrel on the property and loved the food. There are also plenty of good restaurants nearby, and finding somewhere to eat was never a problem. The pool was huge, had a great view, and wasn't too busy, though some shade umbrellas by the seating would've been nice. My wife and I stayed two nights. Our room was clean and comfortable, with almost everything we needed. The only thing I missed was a bathrobe, which is a small gripe. We had a really good time, it felt worth it, and we'd come back for another weekend.

The rooftop restaurant has a pleasant feel and a nice happy hour, and the fitness center has plenty of equipment. The rooftop pool is a welcome extra for a typical AC Marriott, though the downtown views aren't especially impressive. The surrounding clubs do make nights loud. I used the provided earplugs along with my own sound machine, and that helped a little. I also noticed the musty smell people mention, mainly in the hallways, not in my room. You can't beat the location for walking to the pier and lots of restaurants. Valet parking costs a lot, but a nearby garage is a bit cheaper. We'd stay again.

Cane & Barrel was the biggest disappointment. The rooftop bar's view was mostly a parking lot, the seating was okay but the place felt flat, service took a while, and the drinks were poorly made and presented. It didn't live up to the rooftop experience we expected. Downtown Saint Petersburg is a convenient base for shops, restaurants, and attractions. The room, though, was noisy from street sounds and thin walls, and sleep was difficult. There was also a lingering musty smell, the staff were not very helpful, and the elevators moved slowly. The location is strong, but the stay overall fell short.

The one thing I liked was the location. My room faced the HVAC equipment on a parking garage, and its whirring and clanking kept me up all night, despite my request for a quiet room. I wondered if booking staff had placed me there as a passive-aggressive joke. When I politely asked to change rooms for a different view, I was told every room had the same view. That didn't line up with what I saw: a colleague on the same floor, staying at the same time for an even lower rate, had a much nicer view and a quieter room. I won't return, and I'll make sure future room blocks for my company's colleagues go elsewhere. Losing that future business over a room change and not listening to a guest's request seems a poor trade for AC. A simple switch could have made all the difference.