Red Room Chronicles

We had the pleasure of visiting the Ritz-Carlton Members Beach Club in Sarasota, Florida this week. Use of this facility is complimentary for guests of the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota. You can take a free shuttle from the hotel or drive and utilize the valet parking. The club is three miles from the hotel and it takes about ten minutes to get there.

This club is a very nice facility. There are well appointed locker rooms that have just about everything you need, including towels and wooden lockers that have keys with an elastic lanyard. The service at the pool was excellent with attendants setting up chairs with towels and serving food and drinks from a nice menu. The pool was very friendly for kids because there’s no deep end and one side of the pool has a ramp that you can walk down to wade into the water.

The beach has similar service with attendants who will set up chairs and shuttle food from the pool area. The beach is a bit narrow but I hear this is typical for these parts of Florida. There is also a sit down restaurant on-site for those who want something a little more formal. The family and I enjoyed the poolside service.

Have a look for yourself with some pictures and a video below.

Identifying Information

Marriott Brand: Residence Inn
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Property Web Page: Residence Inn Beverly Hills

Critique of the Property

Common Areas: Highrise hotel with seven floors above the lobby. Below the lobby there are two floors which include and exercise room, guest laundry and a spa. Breakfast room and lounge area are in the lobby just past the reception desk.

Guest Rooms: Stayed in a studio suite with a small kitchenette. Rooms are generally smaller than typical Residence Inn properties.

Other Amenities: Wired and wireless high speed internet access are free. On site valet parking is $20 per day. Complimentary shuttle available to destinations within five miles of the hotel.

Things To Watch Out For: In studios, the small dining table is cramped and also serves as the desk. You may bump into post operative plastic surgery patients in the breakfast area. Higher floor rooms have views of downtown L.A. and Hollywood sign.

Staff: Attentive staff to help with bags and park the car. Valet service was always quick and friendly.

What’s Nearby?

Beverly Drive shopping district is about a five minute walk north of the hotel. Rodeo Drive shopping district is also in walking distance. Lots of shops and restaurants in both those areas. Adjacent residential areas are quiet and good for a nice walk or jog. Ralph’s Supermarket, Office Depot and Coffee Bean coffee house are just around the corner on Pico Blvd.

Restaurants: No onsite restaurant. Room service available from Spark restaurant around the corner. Factor’s Famous Deli is across Pico Blvd.

Other Marriotts: None

Other Hotels: Crowne Plaza, Avalon Hotel

Tags: Marriott, Residence Inn, Travel ,Hotel

Identifying Information

Marriott Brand: JW Marriott
Location: Tucson, AZ
Property Web Page: JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa

Critique of the Property

Common Areas: A large resort located in the secluded desert foothills. Significant common areas including a huge patio and pool area with a view of the city of Tucson to the east.

Guest Rooms: Stayed in a Luxury Suite that consisted of a regular king bed room connected to a double sized room that included a murphy bed, living area, large dining table, a bathroom and kitchenette. The king room portion of the suite included a balcony with a hill side view. Marble baths with separate tub and shower.

Other Amenities: Bath robes and a small courtesy refrigerator in each room. Wired, high speed internet access and long distance phone service available for $9.95 per day. On site amenities also include Golf, Spa Services and Horseback Riding. A free tequila toast hosted by the Beverage Manager everyday at 5:30 PM. On site valet parking is $15 per day.

Things To Watch Out For: Cellular phone service is spotty due to the remote location. You’ll need a car if you want to get around the Tucson area as the hotel is several miles from the center of town. The desert location is very hot in the summer.

Staff: Lots of staff. Valets and hotel staff very helpful. One bellman hunted down a beer bottle opener and brought it to my room on request.

What’s Nearby?

Not much due to the location in the desert foothills. Tucson Mountain Park trails are adjacent to the hotel. Starr Pass Country Club shares space with the hotel. Downtown Tucson is approximately five miles away.

Restaurants: Four onsite restaurants and lounges plus a Starbucks satellite location. Including a poolside bar called Plunge. An Italian restaurant called Primo and a very nice tequila bar that faces the huge patio.

Other Marriotts: None

Other Hotels: None

Tags: Marriott, JW Marriott, Travel

Identifying Information
Marriott Brand: Residence Inn
Location: Houston, TX
Property Web Page: Residence Inn Houston West Energy Corridor

Critique of the Property
Common Areas: A new approach for the Residence Inn brand. Built like a mini version of the standard Marriott brand hotels with brick facade and six stories. Large, open lobby with a stone floor. Adjacent breakfast area and meeting rooms. Small but serviceable exercise room. Small courtyard that contains a pool and jacuzzi.

Guest Rooms: Stayed in a one bedroom suite with kitchenette. Pretty standard for Residence Inn, except for wood floor in kitchen and marble vanity on the bathroom sink. Kitchen outfitted with dishwasher, refrigerator, two burner electric stove and microwave oven.

Other Amenities: Wired internet access in included with the cost of the room.

Things To Watch Out For: Ground floor rooms facing the parking lot are undesirable. The breakfast area gets really crowded after 8AM.

Staff: Very helpful and friendly front desk staff.

What’s Nearby?
The hotel is located very close to Conoco Philips and Citgo corporate headquarters. I-10 entrance is about a mile north of the hotel. Large shopping area about half a mile south includes fast food and supermarkets.

Restaurants: A number of small restaurants around the hotel, including a Kabob restaurant adjacent to the hotel. The area is a developing one so more amenities should be available locally in a few months time.

Other Marriotts: None
Other Hotels: Staybridge Suites

Tags: Marriott, Residence Inn

Identifying Information
Marriott Brand: Marriott Hotels
Location: Ontario, California
Property Web Page: Ontario Airport Marriott

Critique of the Property
Common Areas: Different than the usual Marriott brand layout. A three story hotel with a large, lobby/lounge area and an open stairway to all three floors. Rooms are centered around a courtyard where the pool is located. There is a small convenience store next to a small gym.

Guest Rooms: Stayed in a room with two double beds. The bedding has recently been upgraded to the new and much more comfortable style.

Other Amenities: There’s an outdoor pool and a jacuzzi. There is a small exercise room straight back from the lobby entrance. Wired internet access costs $10 per day.

Things To Watch Out For: As with every low property, try to get a room on the top floor. The hotel is very long so rooms far from the elevator are a long walk. There’s a train that passes nearby on the airport side that could be disturbing late at night.

Staff: Nice and helpful when I requested a room change at check in. Service in the restaurant and bar was glacial.

What’s Nearby?
The hotel is located very close to the Ontario Airport and right across the street from the Ontario Convention Center.

Restaurants: Pacific Grille (on site), D Street Bar (on site) In and Out Burger, Wendy’s, Marie Callendar, Rosa’s

Other Marriotts: Residence Inn Ontario Airport

Other Hotels: Sheraton, Ayers Suites, Doubletree

Tags: Marriott

Identifying Information
Marriott Brand: Fairfield Inn
Location: Houston, TX
Property Web Page: Fairfield Inn Houston Westchase

Critique of the Property
Common Areas: Nothing exciting. Small lobby and the carpets in the hallways are worn. They need an upgrade and I believe that they are planning to do just that.

Guest Rooms: Staying in a king room with a sofa bed and refrigerator (by special request). The carpets, bedding and curtains are the old style from a few years ago and there’s a marked difference from the renovated rooms in other Fairfield Inn’s. Clothes rack in lieu of a closet with a full bathroom.

Other Amenities: There’s a pool, currently being refurbished, and a jacuzzi. No exercise room but you can use the room across the street at the Homewood Suites hotel. Free wireless internet access.

Things To Watch Out For: Get a room on the top floor. The ceilings are low and you will hear people walking above you.

Staff: Always prompt and very nice.

What’s Nearby?
The hotel is located in the Westheimer district so their are lots of convenience spots, including gas stations, pharmacies and restaurants.

Restaurants: Wolfgang Puck Express, Outback Steakhouse, Ninfa’s Mexican Food, Taco Cabana, Schlotsky’s Deli and many others.

Other Marriotts: Marriott Houston Westchase, Courtyard Houston Westchase, Residence Inn Houston Westchase

Other Hotels: Homewood Suites, Hilton Houston Westchase, Studio Plus

Tags: Marriott

Identifying Information
Marriott Brand: Fairfield Inn
Location: Green Bay, WI
Property Web Page: Farifield Inn Green Bay Southwest

Critique of the Property
Common Areas: Nice looking lobby with a breakfast area to the side.

Guest Rooms: Staying in a renovated executive king room with a sofa bed, refrigerator and microwave. Colorful light green curtains match the bed accents with a red sofa bed. The king sized bed has a new, firm mattress which feels really nice. Standard bath area with sink on the outside and clothing rack. No closet.

Other Amenities: There’s a pool, jacuzzi and small fitness room. Free wireless internet access.

Things To Watch Out For: Nothing that I can think of.

Staff: Very nice and helpful upon my late arrival.

What’s Nearby?
The hotel is located a couple of miles from Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers NFL football team. Lots of retail stores, gas stations and restaurants near the hotel.

Restaurants: Perkins, Hardees, Arby’s, Max and Erma’s and a host of other fast food places in the general vicinity.

Other Marriotts: Residence Inn Green Bay

Other Hotels: Baymont Inn, Hampton Inn Green Bay, Super 8 Green Bay

Tags: Marriott

Identifying Information
Marriott Brand: Marriott Hotels
Location: New York City, NY
Property Web Page: Courtyard New York Manhattan/Times Square South

Critique of the Property
Common Areas: Long walkway to the entry doors has a waterfall and a very nice, modern feel. Small, but nicely appointed lobby with concierge desk and coffee machine.

Guest Rooms: Stayed in a one bedroom suite with two double beds and a sleeper sofa. The room appointements were very standard for Courtyard’s. The carpet was a bit worn in spots. The sink and mirror were in the bedroom, separate from the toilet and shower. The room had a view of the Empire State Building.

Other Amenities: There’s a standard Courtyard Cafe on the lobby floor and a fitness center in the basement.

Things To Watch Out For: You’ll need your room key for building access after 11PM. Rooms on lower floors prbably don’t have much of a view. Parking (as it is everywhere in Manhattan) will be expensive.

Staff: Prompt and courteous front desk staff.

What’s Nearby?
The hotel is located just south of Times Square with lots of restaurants, theatres and souvenir shops just a few blocks north of the hotel. Bryant Park, with free WiFi, a large lawn, several food kiosks and a restaurant is half a block to the east. The New York Public Library is a block and a half to the east. There’s a Duane Reed drugstore on the corner for picking up last minute necessities.

Restaurants: Courtyard Cafe (on site) is open for breakfast, Bryant Park Grille, Lots of fast food and sit down choices very close by.

Other Marriotts: Marriott Marquis, Renaissance Hotel Times Square

Other Hotels: Numerous other hotels in the Times Square area.

Tags: Marriott

Identifying Information
Marriott Brand: Marriott Hotels
Location: Houston, TX
Property Web Page: Marriott Houston Westchase

Critique of the Property
Common Areas: Not your average Marriott design since it’s a converted Adam’s Mark hotel. Features a unique 10 story atrium as the lobby complete with trees. Two of the five elevator banks are glass and face out into the atrium. There’s a fitness center with a large cardio area and a pool that’s open from 5AM - 11PM. There is a pub, restaurant, lounge and coffee shop all adjacent to the atrium/lobby area.

Guest Rooms: I’ve stayed here a few times. The rooms are typically Marriott with the standard bedding and decor that you see in all hotels in the Marriott chain these days. About 25% of the rooms face inwards towards the atrium. This stay had me in a two room suite in the “01″ line. Very spacious room with a full size couch in a living area separated from the king size bed by a pair of French doors.

Other Amenities: The concierge lounge is large with plenty of tables tables. They serve a very good continental breakfast in the lounge including fruit, cereal, eggs, bacon and coffee. Plenty of free parking surrounding the hotel. The hotel has several conference rooms that are quite large.

Things To Watch Out For: Rooms facing the atrium are not very private since the folks from across the way can look into your room. There are some inward facing rooms very close to the elevator as well. These rooms are the least private of the bunch and I find them generally undesirable. There is only one bank of elevators and some of the rooms are pretty far from those elevators.

Staff: Always a large, friendly staff at the front desk when I arrive.

What’s Nearby?
The hotel is located in the Westchase district just off of Westheimer Road. This area has plenty of shopping, banks, gas stations and restaurants.

Restaurants: Republic, a Texas Grille (the in house restaurant) and The Republic Lounge are both located on the premises. The Pub at Briarkpark is also on site. There is a strip mall adjacent to the hotel that has a good variety of restaurants including Wolfgang Puck Express, Outback Steak House, Le Madeline French Bistro, Schlotsky’s Deli and more.

Other Marriotts: Fairfield Inn, Courtyard, Residence Inn

Other Hotels: Hilton Houston Westchase

Tags: Marriott

Identifying Information
Marriott Brand: Renaissance Hotels
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Property Web Page: Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel

Critique of the Property
Common Areas: Very luxurious pre-war style. Elegant lobby with a marble staircases, red drapes and a rotunda. Decent fitness center with a set of dumbells, multi exercise machine, three treadmills. Pool and jacuzzi as well.

Guest Rooms: My first room, in the “30″ line was a terrible king room with a small window and a view of the AC duct. I requested a move and was given a “parlor” room in the “15″ line. Very spacious room with a refrigerator, sofa and pull down murphy bed. The bed was very comfortable. Classically styled furnishings and a view of the courtyard and river beyond gave the room a very European feel. Nice sized marble bathroom with a great wide-spray, Australian style shower head. The rook lacked a decent work desk, probably because it was a parlor room though. Wired and wireless internet access are free at 256 kbps. A 1 MB wired connection is $14.95 per day.

Other Amenities: The concierge lounge was large and well furnished although they could’ve had more tables. The fruit and cereal selection at the continental breakfast in the lounge was lacking compared to what I’ve seen at other Marriotts. There’s a small bar in the lobby where they serve free coffee in the morning and drinks (paid of course) in the evening. Valet parking is $23 a day. The front desk will give you a pass to the Bally’s fitness center next door if you so desire.

Things To Watch Out For: Because this is a pre-war building, some of the rooms may have unusual views, like across a courtyard or of a wall! There are also rooms with river views as well. Call ahead to have the front desk make a note of your preference.

Staff: Friendly and helpful when I wanted to switch rooms.

What’s Nearby?
Located in downtown Pittsburgh near the three rivers with lots of businesses and a mall within walking distance. PNC Baseball Park is a short walk across a bridge.

Restaurants: Opus (the in house restaurant) and The Bridge Cocktail Lounge are both located on the premises. A few other restaurants are on the blocks surrounding the hotel, including a popular gyro place a couple of doors down.
Other Marriotts: None
Other Hotels: Omni William Penn Hotel, Wyndham Garden Hotel, Sheraton Station Square Hotel.

Tags: Marriott