Hotel Review: Aloft Louisville Downtown
Aloft is one of Marriott’s hotel brands and serves as one of their more affordable and family-friendly yet modern and exciting selections. Aloft properties emphasize early adoption of convenient technologies, such as keyless entry and Amazon Echos in guest rooms, and offer the W XYZ bars and live music performances at select locations. One of Aloft’s most vital selling points is the ARF (Animals Are Fun) program: Guests can bring dogs and cats under 40 pounds to stay at the hotel for no additional charge. The hotel will even provide its own Aloft-branded bed, bowls, treats, and toys. I recently relocated from Pittsburgh, PA, to Austin, TX, and most budget options such as Hampton Inn and Fairfield Inn required $50 pet fees, ramping up the total rate to that of higher-tier properties. My choice was obvious, and all in all, I’m glad I chose Aloft over typical road-warrior hotels.
Aloft Louisville Downtown is located at 102 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202.
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. Some lucky AMEX cardholders have been targeted with offers that increase their Marriott stay earning rate to 10X, U.S. restaurant purchases to 10X, and U.S. gas purchases to 8X, until October 31, 2020. These earning rates are capped at $7,500 per category.
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
Lobby & Check-In Review
I checked in very late in the evening, so unsurprisingly there was no one in line and the lobby was empty. As for most properties, I opted in for keyless entry for easy access. Interestingly, they did not ask about the cat I had with me during the check-in process.
The lobby was open and inviting, with plenty of unique seating areas and entertainment such as a pool table.
The lobby was bright and welcoming and matched the atmosphere advertised for the Aloft brand.
I thought the repurposed manhole art on the wall was a considerate local touch for the Louisville property.
Walking toward the elevator, I noticed plenty of subtle design elements that reminded me I was in Kentucky.
Kentucky Derby signed bourbon barrel tops decorated the hallways and continued to offer a unique, local touch.
The hotel decor wasn’t discreet in paying homage to the famous Bourbon Trail. In Louisville alone, avid enthusiasts can find Evan Williams, Mitcher’s, Rabbit Hole, Old Forester (located right across from the hotel), and my personal favorite, Angel’s Envy. Their bourbon is finished in port wine barrels, creating a more flavorful combination and distinctness than other bourbon brands in my opinion. The Angel’s Envy distillery is only about three blocks east of the hotel, another compelling reason why this Aloft location was ideal for my travels.
I was tempted to pick up the pricey Derby bottle by Woodford Reserve.
On the way to the elevator were two computers situated for business use. I generally prefer a separate room or dedicated booths where I could focus, and people are not walking right behind me, but having a minimal “business center” seems to be the trend among major hotel chains.
The chairs were stiff and uncomfortable; I wouldn’t do more than send a few emails at this business center.
Bedroom Review
After browsing some bourbon bottles for sale, I went up to the sixth floor to settle into my one-king bedroom, which was bigger than I had expected. A 42-inch TV greeted me with my name on it, surrounded by an overall minimalist theme across furnishings and decor. I almost thought the room was too simple to the point where it felt barren, but it makes sense from a design standpoint to maximize space and minimize knickknacks that could be knocked over or damaged if a guest were to travel with animal companions.
The faux leather cushion served as a dedicated if somewhat unsightly seating area for guests to take off or put on their shoes.
The bed was comfortable but didn’t stand out from other hotel beds. The two tiny nightstands next to the bed only offered outlets and no USB ports.
The bed was comfortable, but there was nothing special about it.
Aloft properties generally emphasize that they are early technology adopters, yet I found a retro alarm clock next to my bed. I actually liked the look of the clock, but it was odd to see a throwback piece in an otherwise modern-day hotel.
I appreciated the unique design of the alarm clock, which added a retro element to the room.
Meanwhile, the wall above the headboard had a decal that stretched the entire panel, showing a collage of retro Louisville Slugger baseball cards and posters. I’m not a huge baseball fan, but I always enjoy it when hotels throw in some local, unique aesthetics to refresh the look of cookie-cutter rooms.
I loved the decal above the headboard, throwing in a splash of Louisville Slugger and further adding to the surprisingly retro style.
Across from the bed was a long, narrow desk sitting in the corner of the room. I later used it to have breakfast in the morning, but it could be useful for work or studies. The chair was light, but lacked arms and wasn’t as comfortable for more extended periods of work.
The desk and chair were very minimal, and the chair was not so comfortable.
Bathroom Review
The bathroom was spacious and bare bone, but everything was clean and functional. I thought it was quite an odd placement of a mini-fridge under the sink when there was plenty of space in the bedroom.
The sink area seemed almost unfinished to me and the placement of the mini fridge underneath was unlike anything I’ve seen in other hotels.
Bath amenities were provided by Bliss, which is reasonable due to their acquisition by Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), and in turn the recent Marriott-SPG merger.
I enjoyed using the provided Bliss products, which are 100% cruelty-free!
Across from the sink was an entire wall of cabinet spaces containing complimentary water bottles, towels, and a safe. The shelving units used opaque sliding doors, and the top shelves were pretty high up there, making them a great place to keep certain items away from children or animals during a stay.
The storage shelves were massive, large enough to store many clothes and bulky items.
The shower was separated from the sink area by a sliding door. Though I enjoy sliding doors for ease of use and space-saving purposes, I wasn’t keen on layouts where they split the bathroom. There was a significant gap when I fully closed the door, leaving me wanting more privacy when I used the shower or toilet.
Sliding doors can maximize space when working with smaller rooms and are worth considering if the installation can be successfully executed.
Both the toilet and step-in shower tub had many support bars for those in need, accommodating older or handicapped audiences and making it almost ADA-accessible. The tub used dual shower heads, making it easy for families to bathe their children.
I did not request an ADA-compliant room, but the shower and toilet configuration offered an extensive array of support handles for easy use.
Bath amenities were again provided by Bliss, offered in communal easy-to-use dispensers. While convenient, I did wish Aloft provided shampoo and conditioner separately.
I wish shampoo and conditioner were separate, but I didn’t mind the 2-in-1 so much for a one-night stay.
Gym Review
The gym was located on the basement floor, and because of the mirrored wall, it appeared to be more spacious than it actually was. The equipment consisted of the usual dumbbell and kettlebell sets, but unfortunately, there was only one adjustable bench.
Given the size of the gym, there should have been at least two adjustable benches for hotel guests.
Many cardio machines were available, but the hotel blocked off every other machine to practice social distancing measures. At the far end of the gym was an all-in-one workout machine for those who wanted to try different variations of exercises.
Even after blocking ever other cardio machine, there were at least a couple open for guests to use.
Breakfast - Coronavirus Edition
Traveling during the pandemic has been challenging to keep myself and others safe, and hotels have drastically changed what they offer to guests and how they do so. When I stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suite Allen Park in Michigan, they provided the same menu the entire week, which consisted of more snacks than typical breakfast fare. When I stayed at the TownPlace Suites Detroit Warren in Michigan, I was only able to get coffee! Given my past experiences with these two hotels, my expectation was tempered, to say the least. To my surprise, I received a voucher upon check-in for Re:fuel by Aloft, the brand’s take on a hotel convenience store/breakfast bar. The voucher was redeemable for up to $12 at any time during the stay.
Being able to redeem the voucher at any time during the stay provides hotel guests more flexibility and options.
I really appreciated that Aloft allowed guests to redeem the voucher at any time of day and for anything in the store. The store was well-stocked with different types of beverages, snacks, and breakfast items. Since guests were given an array of food and drink options, it’s unlikely they’d get tired of the selection even if they were to stay for a few nights. In addition, the versatility of being able to redeem the coupon towards non-meal options at the store was a huge plus. If you weren’t feeling well in the morning, you could pick up some ibuprofen and water as a quick fix. Need to feed your inner gluttony? Grab an ice cream or snacks to fulfill your late-night cravings.
Even though the store was well-stocked, it felt somewhat desolate because the kitchen wasn’t operating due to COVID-19 restrictions.
I tried to make my meals as filling and healthy as possible and altogether was happy with my choices. The only flaw I found was that some items, especially those in the cooler like beverages or frozen foods, weren’t labeled with prices, so I had to bring them to the check-in desk to have them scanned and see if I was at the $12 limit.
Though freshly cooked breakfast is always better than microwavable iterations, I enjoyed the freedom of selecting my own food items.
Summary
Aloft Louisville Downtown was a pleasant surprise. It borrowed DNA from Marriott’s W and Moxy brands and marketed itself as edgy and modern. The lobby definitely represented its fun personality, but my room felt too bland and minimalist for my taste despite having everything I needed for the stay. The hotel’s breakfast voucher system was far superior to offerings by other chains in the same class. Aloft properties tend to be more expensive than budget hotels, but if you were to travel with your four-legged companion, the overall expense rounds out to be the same, if not less. I had a great time staying at Aloft Louisville Downtown and will definitely be back when the Bourbon Trail is open.
