We found the Clarendon during a New Years stay 2011-12. The pool was terrific, friendly guests & lots of lounging options. Was it beat up or worn? Let me say this: YOU try staying out in the Phoenix sun for more than one season and not look a little worse for it!!
Re: wifi, I had no trouble. There were always 3 or 4 WLANs open, not a problem.
I'm w/ Colleen on the LACK of light in the rooms, but having lived 8 yrs in Phx, I chocked that up to the massive sunlight available most months, and avoiding unnecessary heat production. There's little, if any, overhead lighting.
About the snacks -- my husband checked us in, so I wasn't paying much attention, hence I missed out on free candy BUT it was made clear to me that rather than clutter up their world w/vending machines, I could simply ask for what I'd like. I had a COLD diet Coke every day. That made me smile.
The food at Gallo Blanco is simply outstanding AND inexpensive. 3 to 7 pm happy hour EVEN ON WKENDS!? We love food adventures, but why go anywhere else when it's so close and cheap? We ate there 6 times - breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Re coffee - Tastes great and it is pretty easy to use the system. I usually travel w/a real coffee mug. Do that, unless you want to drink out of styrofoam.
Bedding and mattress? LOVED THEM.
The price was affordable for a terrific place in a neighborhood that was comfortable and very close to public transit -- buses and the cool new light rail. I used to live nearby, so I was a little reluctant, but I felt comfortable.
Our room did have a smoke smell, but an open window solved that, and I am picky! I found a fewburns in the carpet, so - mystery solved. Not an ongoing issue for me.
I'd definitely stay again.

I tend to visit more frequently when on business meeting colleagues for lunch at the amazing restaurant. I do love to stay there just to relax. Nice beds, friendly staff who always remember the regulars, but also treat first timers with the same friendly demeanor. I have become quite fond of the otter pops so much I've tried to find that specific type for myself at home. The property amazes me, it's such a neat place, I adore American architecture designs from the 50's and 60's thus making this hotel a real treat for me. I never grow tired of it when I walk through the doors, always something new going on. Fantastic!

The Clarendon is just a fantastic property. The crowd are diverse, hip urbanites and the decor is very artsy-'70s. We will absolutely be back to this property and loved the little amenities, such as late-night snacks and a hot tub that seemed longer than a football field. Fun decor that brings retro design into 2012. The restaurant and lobby bar are great and the staff friendly and attentive.

Ultra-hipster hotel with a few genuine touches of comfort (outstanding beds and bedding, nice terrycloth robes) and a whole lot of figurative smoke and mirrors (there's an actual paucity of mirrors, as well as lighting. What can I say? Dim lighting and bright orange walls are the hipster hotel's best friends.)

If you're intending to do a lot of work here, beware: the hotel wifi is slow, the desks shallow and uncomfortable to work at, and like I say in the title, the lighting is all but nonexistent. Not good for the olds, just sayin'. The room itself was clean but smelled mildewy, which I'm guessing is the result of lack of adequate bathroom ventilation. Avail yourself of the "free" candles included in the outrageous "resort" fee; that and the free candy (after 10pm) was about all I got for my money in that department.

The property is lovely, and has some crrrrazy history attached. Read the plaque in the lobby. Or google "bolles + arizona republic". Good times.

Service-wise, again, this place is more about show than anything else. In addition to my own check-in, I had occasion to watch several other people check in at the hotel and brother, it is one elaborate process for some reason.

The food at the onsite restaurant is A-MA-ZING. Try the chilaquiles; I did, twice. On the other hand, the service was beyond horrible both times I went. (On the other-other hand, the closing-shift bartender kicked a**!)

Oh, and because someone asked: the Clarendon is a pet-friendly hotel, but dogs only. At the time of my stay, a one-time fee of $50 applied.