Remember when you were in high school and the cool kids were cool because they were rude to the nerds? Well that's the feeling I got last week upon checking in at the Hotel Duval. I'm a middle aged business traveler who logged about 80 nights on the road in 2011 for work and 20 more for fun, so I'm used to all types of traveling adventures. I've been upgraded, downgraded and walked to other properties, but I've never been left stranded in the lobby by a 25 year old desk clerk who would rather chat with the bellman and the cute college co-eds behind me in line...until this week.

Maybe it's because Tallahassee is a college town trying to be hip instead of a state capitol with a legislature in session, but leaving a Platinum Marriott member whose arrival date didn't match the reservation on file with only a "sorry, M'am...next in line" just won't cut it for this single business traveler. When I pleaded for assistance in finding another reservation at a Marriott Courtyard down the road, I was told that the Hotel Duval was an Autograph Property and not a Marriott. Silly me, I had booked the reservation on the Marriott website, just like I do each week. Who'd know that Autographs, like the cool kids in highschool can do what they want.

So there I was 8:00 PM, alone in Tallahassee and no place to land for the night. Fortunately I found shelter at the Aloft across the street at twice the price of my Marriott, oops I mean Autograph, rate.

Yes, the mix up in the reservation was mine, but how a property takes care of its own in times of peril is critical. What I came to learn this week is that brand loyalty is overrated. Customer service at the Hotel Duval is dead. It could be a lack of training of its staff, or perhaps the trendy lobby and overpriced Shula's restaurant onsite has caused the staff to think that they can stray from courtesy and service for the average business traveler.

I spend a lot of nights in a hotel on business and most of them end up looking the same. This hotel had personality and a very urban upbeat feel. Good location for downtown and universities. Very friendly and capable staff. The rooms were funcional for business use, but romantic for a weekend get away.

We booked this hotel room because it was reasonably priced, well located, and one of the few Boutique located in Tallahassee. When we arrived and walked into the modern existent lobby we were greeted by the welcoming staff and soon after - the incredibly spacious room. We had an executive room on the back side--no exceptional view but no noise either--and couldn't have been more pleased. The room was stylish, spacious, and included a good size living room, and private comfortable bedroom, mini bar area and large bathroom. Honest, kind, pleasant staff. Great location, good roof bar terrace. I'll definitely rebook the Duval the next time I go to Tallahassee. Kudos to James the manager.

My husband and I stayed at the Hotel Duval overnight in early December to celebrate a special occasion. We ate at Shula's and stayed in the Diamond Suite. I was very impressed by the helpful, professional staff. The room was awesome, and the food at Shula's was top notch.