Aloft by Marriott Wilmington at Coastline Center

I’ll be back. The hotel is right on the water, and the lobby has lots of little nooks where you can take a break or work outside your room. The staff were friendly, engaging, and quick to help. I needed an iron and ironing board before an event, and they brought them within five minutes. As someone who travels often, I appreciate a welcoming place with a relaxed atmosphere, and this one checked all the boxes. I also chatted with a staff member named Susan about the hotel's history. It was built on an old train station.

The rooftop bar was fantastic, with top-notch views and service. Nicole was a rockstar, the live music was great, and I’d definitely go back to the bar. My stay at the hotel was another story. The construction seems poor because you can hear everything, including toilets flushing in rooms above and water rushing through the pipes in the wall by the head of the bed. The barista was terrible too. She sat on her phone while I waited for service, saw me, and kept scrolling. I had to go up to her directly to get served. She didn't seem interested in offering good customer service or even greeting people in the morning. I won't stay at this hotel again.

The valet service was exceptional, and the rooms were cozy and clean. You can sometimes hear loud guests in the rooms next door because the walls are a little thin. Still, I had a great experience.

My wife and I were impressed throughout our stay, from how clean the property was to the hospitality of the whole team. The valet, front desk, and staff at Aview were all wonderful. Marco and Lindsey deserve a special mention for making the visit especially memorable.