Lance D
Just returned from a 6 day stay at the W Victory. Here’s the short version:||- Staff was respectful|- Valet was great|- Location is best thing about hotel if you’re downtown focused|- Hotel is going through renovation it desperately needs|- Would not stay here unless discounted rate applies|- Considered staying another night @ discounted rate||Reached out to hotel a week before stay. Coming into town for convention and getaway. Manager and I exchanged pleasantries and I was assured that although a reno was underway she’d help to make our stay enjoyable. Did not hear from her again until checkout when inquiring about extending stay (she did offer us an appreciation gift at that time). No worries…she was out on vacay and we completely understood. ||Upon check in I inquired about an upgrade. Was offered one level up from Fabulous to Spectacular. Didn’t seem like a big difference on website but it was. The additional space proved itself to be a game changer for our stay. Didn’t feel cramped and that was most appreciated. Valet (shout out LA) pulled double duty and got our bags (7 total) to the room and made us feel welcome. Please note that construction has the lobby somewhat restricted for space but it wasn’t terrible.||Room, hallways, elevator all have the obvious signs of an older hotel. Hallways were warm and we assumed the A/C was limited due to construction. Room cooled off nicely although it wouldn’t get that hotel freeze we’re used to when dropping thermostat. Bathroom counter space was lacking but was functional. Layout of room non traditional (check website) but it worked. Room service was limited due to renovations, but they did say it would be an additional $6 service charge for a limited menu with delivery delays due to short staff. Oh yeah, the hotel is understaffed but hiring. Saw a couple of applicants filling out applications when checking in. Kinda surprised this was done out in open in a smallish lobby but whatever it takes to get this place rolling again I’m all for?||The location is what made the stay. Lots of eating options, both quick and dine in. Starbucks, Chipotle, late night deserts, dry cleaners, CVS all within 3 mins from your room door. Easy to get to convention center….took 5 mins. Sometimes less depending on the lights. Great restaurant options nearby - The Henry, Yardbirds, Perry’s to name a few. Didn’t get caught in convention center madness - traffic (both car and foot), lack of convenient food options and Uber aggression. Valet folks were great as they kept my car at the front of hotel during the day because of all the running back and forth I was doing to ferry my wife between convention events all around downtown. Can’t stress how much easier this made my 6 day stay. Valet staff were the stars of my stay - bags, keys, suggestions, encouragement?. All appreciated.||I caught a discounted rate due to length of stay that was basically 50% off. I would not stay here for the full advertised rate or anything close to it. At that rate there are FAR better options within 5-10 mins that are not in a current state of disrepair or experiencing a staff shortage. Marriott should be ashamed of themselves for charging +$500 a night. The hotel is next to the basketball/hockey arena so I get the convenience thing but both those seasons are over and you’ve got a renovation underway. They even had to move the restaurant to the conference rooms for 1 day due to the renovation but still charging +$500 per night! No hamburgers on the limited menu - NO HAMBURGERS! The most basic, let me grab a quick bite meal isn’t available? Sorry W….kinda ridiculous.||Housekeeping was available after a couple of calls. Did a good job but we didn’t ask for much, just fresh bed linens. Weird thing was she took 3 sheets, put a mattress pad in the middle and made a comforter/blanket instead of actually replacing our comforter. It worked but REALLY? Used the laundry to press some clothes. They delivered to our room while I was gone even though I told them don’t go in room and had do not disturb sign up? At least the clothes were there and well pressed. Needless to say I used the cleaners down the block after that.||All in all the main things were the main things…..comfortable, safe stay with nothing missing, no erroneous charges and an acceptable rate. Based on this we even considered staying another day to sleep off the convention fatigue before driving home to a city without power due to a hurricane. We elected to check out on time. What does that tell you We’d stay again only for the right rate. Maybe even full rate if the hotel can reach the potential it has….||Safe travels to you and yours!
