“Putting lipstick on a pig. Still a pig.”
We stayed here a few years ago and decided that, although older, it was well-maintained and OK for one night. So I didn't bother to check Tripadvisor reviews. Bad mistake.
We arrived to find that apparently nobody had read our requests and nothing was to our preference. After sorting out the best we could manage, we checked out the room. As usual, my wife checked for bedbugs. No problem, but there were two large staples. Probably from the mattress packaging. How could the housekeeper manage to put on the fitted sheet without noticing?
About those renos... it seems to me that if a hotel is in the midst of renovations they should mention that fact on their website or to any caller. For us, surprise! There was an apologetic note in the room, promising that noise would be kept to certain daytime hours. Okay, but no promises about the smell. In late afternoon the whole floor we were on smelled strongly of turpentine or varsol or something. Good thing this was a 100% non-smoking hotel, otherwise a lit match would have blown up the place. We kept the heating/fan going to counteract the hall pressure pushing in the fumes. However, that heated up the room. When we had arrived, it was set to 68, but it felt like a sauna. Lowering the temp made no difference. It was all or nothing. Obviously the thermostat wasn't working. Or perhaps it was confused by the constant cold draft coming down from the cracked window pane.
Anyway, if our reno'd room is anything to judge by, they'd better fire their contractors and sue them. The wallpaper had bubbles and the caulking on the bathtub had gaps and holes. For a couple of bucks they could have replaced the light switch in the bathroom, but no, they kept the old one, with at least a decade of accumulated dirt. Also, they could have replaced the bed linens and towels if they were spiffing up. But no.... next time, get an architect. As others have noted, the bathroom is tiny and poorly laid out. By using the space under the counter they could easily have freed up area.
Well, the new carpet was fine. Let's just hope they replace the one in the elevator, too. And fix up all the scratches and dents - the damage gives the place a decrepit look.
Bottom line: they don't care.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC