My recent review of the "W Perimeter" in Atlanta may hint at my disdain for poor service and impractical useless fashion when the basic expectations of a good hotel are not met. As a frequent business traveler, my expectations for hotel cleanliness, room comfort and amenities, and basic service have become rather particular, and I am quick to compliment or criticize a hotel based on these standards. That's why I'm so pleased to tell you that the Aloft Phoenix-Airport met, and in many cases exceeded, all of my expectations for a good hotel for a business traveler, and was the antithesis of all the things I dislike about the W experience.
From the moment I walked into Aloft, I knew I was in for a refreshingly calm, friendly, and full-service experience at a tremendous price. I was greeted with a warm "Aloha" (a strange greeting for a non-Hawaian-themed hotel), and a smile as I walked into a lobby that was beautifully-crafted to make you feel bright, energized, and at home. From the open plan to the modern-and-bright colors to the pool table to the sharp-but-casual bar, the lobby was akin to an upscale European hostel (if such a thing exists)... the kind of place where you feel comfortable and almost COMPELLED to strike up conversations with people from many different walks of life.
Every staff member I met was tremendously authentic and genuinely congenial, and went out of their way to make sure we were having a good stay. From the front desk people who showed us how to quickly-and-easily print some documents at the business center (no charge) to the bartender who recommended a restaurant and hand-drew directions for us to the general "talent manager" who greeted us each morning in the lobby to ask how our stay was... I felt like each staff member really enjoyed their jobs, and genuinely WANTED us to have a good time.
The room itself was a tremendously well-planned smaller space that will feel right at home for those who enjoy boutique European hotels. The bed was amazingly comfortable, the room clean and very new, and the decor simultaneously ultra-modern and relaxing. Unlike the W (form over function), the room was a testament to the beautiful synergy of form AND function, with intuitive and natural placement of all amenities, from lightswitches to towels to outlets, etc. (Again, compare to the W, where I had to move the bed to find an outlet). Wi-fi was very strong in my 4th-floor room, and it was FREE (again, compare to the W, where it was not available at all in the room, and cost $10+ a day to use the wired cord). The shower was roomy and very clean and comfortable, featuring a clever frosted window into the room to allow natural light in. The sink and toilets were modern-looking but worked perfectly (again, unlike the W).
I encourage you to stay at the Aloft Phoenix-Airport next time you're in Phoenix, and leave the W Scottsdale to a fashionista who wants to be seen in the lobby. If you're a Starwood junkie with a deep-seated disdain for the W, I think you'll find the Aloft a very refreshing return to the Starwood values and quality that got you into their hotels to begin with.
Here's the kicker...and all for a room that cost almost half of the W.