Hotel Review: AC Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown
Marriott opened its first AC Hotel in Madrid, Spain in 1999; over 20 years later, there are over 150 branches around the world. The brand is known for its minimalistic yet elegant designs and chic and modern atmosphere. Its European DNA extends to the AC Lounge and Kitchen, serving delectable croissants for breakfast or Spanish tapas. I recently had a chance to stay at the AC Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown and thoroughly enjoyed my visit:
The AC Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown is located on the edge of downtown Pittsburgh, very close to the Strip District and local attractions.
What Card(s) Should You Use to Book?
I earn tons of Marriott Bonvoy points by using my American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant. It is currently offering a sign-up bonus of 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $3,000 within your first 3 months of card membership. It earns 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 3X points on restaurants and flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X on all other purchases. Paired with Marriott’s promotions and AMEX offers, it opens doors to endless points-earning opportunities.
The Bonvoy Brilliant comes with great benefits that can substantially offset its annual fee. Photo credit: www.americanexpress.com
The Bonvoy Brilliant does come with a hefty $450 annual fee but offers tons of perks to significantly offset its costs. The card features the following benefits:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, the mid-tier status offered in Marriott’s member ecosystem
$300 Marriott Bonvoy statement credit that can be applied towards your room rate
$100 property credit when booked directly with Marriott and staying a minimum of two nights at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis properties
1 free night certificate, redeemable for properties worth up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
Access to Priority Pass lounges
15 Elite night credits that can prove helpful for chasing Bonvoy status
Even if you don’t stay at Marriott properties often, this card is still a must-have in my opinion. It’s a true example of a keeper card that offers benefits that outweigh the annual fee.
If you’d like to apply for the American Express Bonvoy Brilliant Card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! http://refer.amex.us/EDWARSwdXp?xl=cp01
I have another Marriott Bonvoy credit card: the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business Card. It is currently offering a sign-up bonus of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $5,000 within your first 3 months of card membership. The card earns 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 4X points on dining, U.S. shipping purchases, U.S. wireless telephone services, and at U.S. gas stations. All other purchases earn 2X points.
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Card is the only Marriott business card on the market. Photo credit: www.americanexpress.com
The Bonvoy Business Card’s annual fee is $125 and offers decent benefits to justify the cost:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, the low-tier status offered in Marriott’s member ecosystem
One free night certificate, redeemable for properties worth up to 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
15 Elite Night Credits that will help you achieve a higher Bonvoy status
As you can see the card’s benefits are less substantial than the ones from the Bonvoy Brilliant Card, but it is a great long-term keeper card due to its annual free night certificate perk. Furthermore, it is absolutely necessary if you want to chase a higher Marriott Bonvoy status because it is the only Marriott business card that is on the market and will grant you an additional 15 Elite Night Credits. Lastly, even though it is a business credit card, it is very likely that you could get it approved. Check out my article on how to apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor.
If you’d like to apply for the American Express Bonvoy Business Card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! http://refer.amex.us/EDWARSi04o?xl=cp01
Check-In & Lobby Review
The AC Hotel Downtown Pittsburgh is located a block away from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, perfect for those in town for an event. Its close proximity to great dining options in Downtown and the historic Strip District, to sports hubs like PNC Park and Heinz Field, and the fine arts such as the Andy Warhol Museum and the Benedum Center is an excellent reason to stay at this property.
The Andy Warhol Museum, one of my favorite attractions in Pittsburgh, is a short walk across the bridge from this particular AC Hotel. Photo credit: www.warhol.org
The check-in process was somewhat confusing. When I arrived at the hotel, the first floor was a tiny reception area with no one present. Later, I learned that the area is used for valet service and visitors are directed to the top floor where the check-in desk is actually situated. The layout of the first floor reminded me of the DoubleTree Downtown Nashville, which utilized the reception area similarly for valet purposes. Due to the battle against COVID-19, valet service was temporarily suspended when I visited. It was slightly confusing without anyone on site, and I wish there were a sign indicating where guests should go.
The entrance had no indication as to where guests should go, leaving me a bit confused.
There were two elevators available and I took one up to the 7th and highest floor where the actual lobby was located.
Luckily, the elevator buttons clearly state where the lobby is located.
The elevator was equipped with a hand sanitizer dispenser as well as a sign mandating face masks in all common areas.
Another sad reminder that we are still in the midst of a global pandemic.
The check-in area was very spacious and reflected the chic and modern identity of the AC Hotel brand. I loved the illuminated check-in desk and its marble backdrop, complemented by mood lighting that elevated the atmosphere.
The lobby was spacious and the illuminated check-in desk set the modern tone of the hotel.
To the left was a small lounge area with bright modern light fixtures and TVs.
The lounge offered various seating options, but I wish it had more individual tables for single guests.
The chairs were comfortable and the wall facing the city was entirely glass so that guests could enjoy the skyline from the lounge.
From the lounge in the top floor lobby, guests have a wonderful view of the North Side neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
To the right was the hotel bar, called LE7EL. The U-shaped bar seating table also utilized a marble backdrop with mood lighting to align with the hotel style.
I enjoyed how the bar maximized space and displayed all the alcohol they served on overhanging racks.
The hanging bar shelves were certainly a unique way to showcase their liquor selection, though I wondered if bartenders actually use those bottles. If you want to get some fresh air while enjoying a cocktail, you can sit or stand outside on the rooftop patio. The small patio space offered a partial view of the downtown skyline.
The outdoor patio offered a view out to some of the prominent skyscrapers that make up the Pittsburgh skyline, including the K&L Gates Center and Fifth Avenue Place.
Next to the check-in desk was a snack shop offering a good selection of indulgent and healthy snacks.
The hotel snack bar was well-stocked and offered full-sized wine bottles for purchase.
I grabbed a few bottles of water before checking in, which was seamless. The representative was kind and professional and explained what the hotel was doing to ensure the safety of guests while providing the best service. One of the new measures was that only one person could use the fitness center and they would have to retrieve the key from the check-in desk, meaning the regular room key wouldn’t provide access. I always try to use the gym whenever I travel, so I was just glad it was open. Fortunately, it was unoccupied whenever I requested access to the fitness center.
The hotel receptionist provided me a set of very detailed directions regarding their revised stay policy.
The hotel representative informed me I was upgraded due to my Platinum Marriott status and gave me a physical key since the mobile key wasn’t functioning properly.
Bedroom Review
The bedroom was modern and minimalistic with heavy usage of neutral colors like gray and brown. Some may think the room is drab or monotonous, but I enjoyed the atmosphere. The entrance door had a full-sized mirror on the room side.
Having a full-sized mirror is a nice touch for any hotel room.
I placed my water bottles in the fridge in the open closet, which contained the essentials such as the ironing board, coat hangers, coffee machine, and a safe. The transparent fridge door was a stylish and welcome addition I’ve grown accustomed to from my stays at other Marriott properties.
At first I thought a fridge with a clear door was gimmicky, but I’ve learned to like it.
The bed was large and comfortable. It’s almost impossible to see in the picture below, but the comforter had unique herringbone patterning and was very soft.
The comforter was very soft and the bed roomy and plush.
The two floating bedside tables on either side of the bed were relatively small. Each side offered a lamp and reading light, as well as two USB ports and outlets for any and all charging needs.
With plenty of charging ports by the bedside table, you can rest assured that all of your devices will be charged overnight.
There was a sanitizing wipe for those who preferred an extra clean surface area, and I noticed something I haven’t seen in many properties: A small nonchalant knob that was actually an ambient noise-making system by LogiSon.
I slept great during my stay… Perhaps the complementary ambient noise system did the trick!
The noise was quite specific and made a soft “whooshing” air noise. I usually don’t use a noisemaker when I sleep. However, when I noticed there was a very audible train track very close to the property that blared periodically through the night, I gave the noisemaker a shot and ended up loving it.
The train track is visible across the street from the hotel, and though the train doesn’t run frequently, be aware if you are a light sleeper.
Directly across from the bed was a sizeable TV mounted on the wall. The mount allowed for full motion, allowing the TV to be repositioned for better viewing angles if you watched it from the couch.
The seamless mount made the wall look more modern and clean.
Along the wall where the TV was mounted was a long bench with faux-leather seating, perfect for sitting and taking shoes on or off. I really enjoyed the mood lighting that was under the bench.
The mood light under the bench matched the contemporary identity of the AC Hotel brand.
By the end of the bench was a small work desk, but unfortunately the chair wasn’t so comfortable.
The chair was more form over function; it fit the room aesthetics, but didn’t feel so great to sit on.
Across from the work desk was a small couch and movable coffee table. Again, the couch was a nice touch to the modern feel of the room, but sitting or laying on it reminded me of those insufferable, stiff loveseats sold at Ikea.
The couch was unbearably rigid and I wouldn’t want my worst enemy to crash on it for an evening.
The hotel room didn’t have a balcony, but the entire wall was a floor-to-ceiling window, making the room feel more open. My room faced the parking lot and the Allegheny River, so it wasn’t particularly attractive.
My room faced the nearby parking lot and North Side of Pittsburgh, making for a far less appealing view than from outside the bar patio.
Bathroom Review
The bathroom used an opaque sliding glass door; I appreciate sliding door configurations because they’re easy to maneuver and save space, but also am aware that they don’t seal noise as well as traditional hinged doors. I generally don’t prefer it to be used in the bathroom but didn’t mind this time since I was staying by myself.
Many newer hotels use sliding doors like this to maximize space in the room.
The bathroom was bright and modern with fairly large counter space for toiletries. I liked that the hairdryer had a dedicated holder; most hotels stow theirs away, making it annoying to take out after the room is cleaned every time.
The bathroom was clean and bright, and since I use a hairdryer every day, I appreciated a dedicated holder.
The toiletries were by Korres, a natural skincare brand inspired by Greek homeopathic remedies. Aside from the traditional soap bar and body wash, the toiletry kit also included a shoe polisher and nail file.
The milk soap bar provided in the toiletry kit was moisturizing and pleasantly scented.
The walk-in shower had both a removable and rainfall-style shower head. I’m a big fan of rainfall showerheads, so this earned big points in my book. I also appreciated the sliding glass shower door that kept the bathroom floor dry; I often find that traditional swing doors get water everywhere upon exiting and make for one big Slip ‘N Slide.
Both the rainfall shower head and sliding glass door added style and functionality points.
However, I was a bit disappointed with the shower flooring. It was noticeably discolored from white to gray and seemed aged or dirty. I’m no expert in bathroom cleaning, but perhaps the hotel needs to bleach the floor or change the flooring as a whole.
The shower booth’s floor was clearly discolored from the original white that was installed.
The bath toiletries were also by Korres. I enjoyed using them for their naturally driven ingredients but the scents were slightly too medicinal for my taste.
Korres uses naturally driven ingredients inspired by Greek homeopathic remedies.
Gym Review
The fitness center was on the smaller side but contained all the essentials. It offered fully stocked towels, a water tap, and even disposable earbuds.
The black bowl in the far right corner contained disposable earbuds for guests.
To the left was a rowing machine and a set of kettlebells. The open area allowed HIIT workouts that may involve kettlebell swings.
A mirrored wall made the gym appear more spacious than it was.
In the middle of the gym was a good selection of cardio machines that were ready to be used.
The hotel didn’t block any cardio machines for social distancing like others do, since only one guest was allowed at a time.
On the other end of the gym was a total body workout machine as well as a reclining bench with a standard dumbbell set.
The weights, functional machine, and bench were all standard gym fare but kept clean with plenty of space to move around.
Summary
The AC Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown is located at the edge of downtown Pittsburgh, close to many local attractions such as the Andy Warhol Museum, PNC Park, and Strip District. The check-in process was a bit confusing since the desk was located on the hotel's top floor, but my lodging experience was pleasant and relaxing once checked in. Even though the hotel is located very close to a railroad, the train didn’t run frequently. I had no trouble sleeping whatsoever; perhaps the ambient sound system in my room did the trick! The hotel lobby and room followed a neutral but tasteful theme of modern aesthetics and minimalistic elegance. The mood lighting in the hotel room and naturally derived bath amenities elevated my stay to feel like that of a higher-end resort. It was a little cumbersome to get a key for the gym, but the hotel was doing everything they could to mitigate the possible exposure of coronavirus to guests and staff, and I appreciated the added precautionary measures. My stay at the AC Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown was relaxing and enjoyable, and I definitely recommend it to anyone looking to stay in or close to the heart of the city.
