Hotel Review: Colcord Hotel Oklahoma City, Curio Collection by Hilton
When some of the early skyscrapers were constructed in big cities like New York City and Chicago, smaller American cities followed suit. In 1906, The Candler Hotel was built in Atlanta, instantly becoming the tallest building in Atlanta. In 1910, The Colcord Hotel was constructed in Oklahoma City, which immediately became the first skyscraper in the city. On my recent business trip to Oklahoma City, I chose to stay at Colcord Hotel Oklahoma City, Curio Collection by Hilton, for its historical significance. Here is my review of Colcord Hotel Oklahoma City, Curio Collection by Hilton:
The Colcord Hotel is located at 15 N Robinson Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.
What Card(s) Should You Use to Book?
AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire
The AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card is currently offering a signup bonus of 150,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $4,000 in 3 months. Be aware that since this is an American Express card, you’re only allowed to receive the signup bonus once per lifetime. With a valuation of 0.6 cents per point, the signup bonus is worth about $900. The annual fee is $450, but cardmembers get a weekend night certificate (redeemable on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights at non-premium hotels), $250 incidental credit towards your airline of choice, $250 Hilton resort credit at select Hilton resorts, and Hilton Diamond status, the highest in Hilton’s member ecosystem.
The AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card is one of my favorite credit cards for its benefits and perks.
The AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card earns 14X per dollar spent on Hilton hotels and resorts when booked directly through Hilton and 7X on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, car rentals booked directly with select companies, and U.S. restaurants. All other purchases will earn 3X per dollar spent. As a Hilton Honors Diamond member, you’ll get a 100% points bonus and 10 extra points per dollar spent at Hilton properties. Therefore, the AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card earns a total of 24X per dollar spent on Hilton properties when booked directly with Hilton, yielding a grand return of 14.4%. With Hilton’s frequent points promotions, you can rake in a serious amount of Hilton Honors points in no time. Even if you don’t stay at Hilton properties too often, this card is definitely worth the annual fee due to its amazing perks and benefits, and I strongly believe it’s the best hotel credit card available on the market right now.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire 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! Click HERE to access my referral link!
AMEX Hilton Honors Surpass
The AMEX Hilton Honors Surpass card currently offers a sign-up bonus of 130,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $2,000 in the first three months of card membership. With a 0.6 cents per point valuation, the sign-up bonus is worth $780. Since the card is issued by AMEX, you can only receive the sign-up bonus once per lifetime; so make sure to apply when the highest sign-up bonus is available.
The AMEX Hilton Honors Surpass card can be a valuable addition to your wallet depending on your travel style.
The AMEX Hilton Honors Surpass card earns 12X per dollar spent on Hilton hotels and resorts when booked directly through Hilton and 6X at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. supermarkets. All other purchases will earn 3X per dollar spent. The 6X return rate for purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. supermarkets would be great for weekly household expenses, and the card really shines when you stay at Hilton properties. The 12X return rate is slightly below the 14X return rate for the AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card. Nevertheless, the AMEX Hilton Honors Surpass card does come with complimentary perks that will increase the return rate for Hilton stays.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Hilton Honors Surpass 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! Click HERE to access my referral link!
AMEX Hilton Honors Business
Alternatively, I could’ve used my AMEX Hilton Honors Business card to book my stay. The AMEX Hilton Honors Business card is currently offering a signup bonus of 130,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $3,000 in 3 months, which is also worth about $780. Like other AMEX cards, the card is subject to the once-per-lifetime signup bonus rule. The annual fee is $95, and unlike the Aspire, it doesn’t come with airline or resort credits. However, it can be a great workhorse card as it offers generous everyday and business multipliers. It earns 12X Hilton Honors points per dollar spent on hotel and resort purchases booked directly with Hilton and 6X at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, U.S. wireless telephone services, U.S. purchases for shipping, and flights booked directly with airlines or with AMEX Travel. All other purchases earn 3X points per dollar spent. Because cardmembers receive automatic Honors Gold status, you’ll get an 80% points bonus and 8 extra points per dollar spent at Hilton properties. In addition, you’d receive 10 complimentary Priority Pass visits and have an opportunity to earn a free weekend night certificate after spending $15,000 in a calendar year. As a result, the Surpass earns a total of 20X per dollar spent on Hilton properties when booked directly with Hilton, yielding a return of 12%.
The AMEX Hilton Honors Business card can cover a wide range of daily expenses and still comes with a great multiplier for Hilton stays.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Hilton Honors 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! Click HERE to access my referral link!
Location
The Colcord Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City. Situated across from Myriad Botanical Gardens, the hotel is less than a mile away from the popular Bricktown neighborhood, where it’s full of restaurants and shopping destinations. The Paycom Center is only a block away, and the 50-story Devon Tower is adjacent to the hotel if you are in the city for a business meeting. The Colcord Hotel is a great option whether you are in town for a business meeting or adventure in downtown Oklahoma City.
Lobby & Check-In Review
As I stepped into the lobby of the Colcord Hotel in Oklahoma City, it was as if time had stood still. A small lounge with a TV and few seats spoke to its minimalistic ambiance.
The lobby was adorned with pendant lighting and inviting lounge chairs, creating a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere.
For my visit during November, a Christmas tree was beautifully decorated to ignite the holiday spirit among guests.
The holiday spirit was alive and well in the lobby, with a beautiful Christmas tree standing tall to spread its festive vibes.
Yet for all its simplicity, characterful features remained—dark gray marble finishes on the wall reflected opulence from decades ago, and intricate crown moldings adorned ceilings overhead.
The lobby was truly a sight to behold, with lavish crown molding and sleek marble finishes creating an atmosphere of opulent grandeur.
The front desk receptionist cheerfully greeted me, and he kindly recognized my Hilton Honors Diamond status.
The marble front desk complemented the overall elegant atmosphere, and the receptionist was always ready to guide guests with their kind demeanor.
After a warm welcome from the kind and helpful front desk agent, my Hilton Honors Diamond status was rewarded with an upgrade to one of the luxurious suites. With excitement, I grabbed my card key and went up to the sixth floor, where my suite was located.
The details of the elevator doors and a vintage mailbox were a testament to the hotel's rich history.
Living Room Review
Walking into the suite, I was immediately welcomed by a cozy living room. The entire suite, except for the bathroom, was carpeted, and while there were wall lights and floor lamps to provide illumination, my initial impression of the space still felt rather dimly lit.
Despite its traditional charm, the living room lacked much-needed light, leaving it appearing dull.
The general color tones of the furniture ranged between neutral beige and dark brown. In the center of the room was a marble oval coffee table that had seen better days and a beige sectional wrapped around the table. It was a bit underwhelming to realize that the orchid on the table was an artificial flower, but it still provided just enough decoration for this warm atmosphere. The microfiber sectional was really soft and well-maintained; I could definitely see myself napping or even crashing a night or two if necessary. The living room housed one of the two TVs in the suite. Even though it wasn’t a smart TV, you could cast shows from Netflix or Hulu by connecting your device. A work desk had a good amount of space, and the grey leather swivel chair was fairly comfortable to sit in for an extended time.
Unfortunately, the outlets on the side of the work desk were not functional.
On the coffee table, I found a handwritten card from the hotel staff and a sweet welcome amenity—a petite box of gourmet chocolate from Le Belge, a chocolatier based in Napa Valley, California. Two chocolates were in the box; one was dark chocolate, and the other was milk chocolate with crunchy peanut butter filling. They were delicious, and indulging in these sweets made me feel truly appreciated for receiving such an endearing card from the hotel.
My stay was made even more special with a decadent chocolate treat awaiting me on arrival, along with a handwritten greeting from the hotel.
In the corner was a sizable bar cart with a Nespresso machine, which came with six espresso pods. Surprisingly four of those six pods were decaf, and since I love to drink coffee at night, they came in handy after dinner.
A full, inviting selection of espresso pods awaited in the Nespresso machine—all ready to be savored.
Besides the suite’s lack of lighting, I was primarily concerned with increased noise levels in the living room because the suite was situated closest to the elevators. I understand some people prefer rooms with easy access to an elevator, but it wasn’t ideal for me when needing complete peace while working in the room. Fortunately, I had no such issues within my bedroom, as it could be fully shut off from the outside. I appreciated how spacious the living room was, but the undersupply of lighting wasn’t welcoming. In addition, there was no reference to the hotel’s rich history, and I wish the Colcord Hotel had capitalized on its interesting historical background by adding some amenities to celebrate its past.
Bedroom Review
The bedroom's centerpiece was a king bed with an oversized faux leather headboard sandwiched between nightstands.
The bedroom was artfully desinged with a king bed as the focal point, flanked by two nightstands.
The mattress was decent, and it was more springy than other standard hotel beds. The nightstands were equipped with USB ports and outlets on the side, but the outlets were loose, leading to my charging blocks failing to stay intact. By the foot of the bed was a chaise lounge, and because its backrest was taller than the mattress, I personally thought it mildly disrupted the seamless design flow from the mattress to the chaise lounge.
The bedroom could be brought to life with hints of the hotel's storied past, adding unique touches.
Across from the bed was a bedroom drawer that also served as a media stand. Another non-smart TV with the same casting function was sitting on top of it, allowing guests to enjoy various streaming platforms for entertainment. The media console housed a mini-fridge in the corner, offering only non-alcoholic beverages such as cold brew coffee and soda.
The mini fridge in the bedroom exclusively stocked refreshing non-alcoholic beverages.
The only gripe I had with the bedroom was, again, the lack of lighting. The entertainment area was especially poorly lit, and I really think the bedroom has the potential to impress guests if the room could experience improved lighting to accentuate its upscale ambiance.
Bathroom Review
The bathroom was interestingly designed, to say the least. There were technically two bathrooms but only one toilet, which could be accessed from either the living room or the bedroom. From the living space, you can access the half bathroom with the toilet.
The only toilet in the entire suite was in the half bathroom, which was accessible from the master bathroom as well.
The half bathroom featured a single sink vanity and followed the same color palettes from the living room—beige, gray, and dark brown. You can access the toilet from the bedroom since the bedroom is practically connected to the rest of the bathroom without any barriers. When I say there was no barrier, I truly mean it because, from the bedside, you would directly face the double-sink vanity.
The double vanity area beckoned with its inviting brightness, providing a stark contrast to the the rest of the suite, which was poorly lit.
Nothing was inspiring about the vanity, but it was evidently my favorite space because of how well-lit the area was. The bathroom space continued, and after passing a closet, you will find yourself next to a whirlpool tub and a walk-in shower with a bench.
Though not equipped with the latest technology, the bathtub still provided a satisfying massage experience thanks to its jets.
The whirlpool tub was a slightly outdated model, and though the jet pressure was satisfactory, water kept draining, so I had to refill the tub simultaneously as I bathed. The jetted tub was big enough for only one person, and the toiletries were by L’Occitane. The hotel supplied many travel-sized toiletries, but my favorite product was a sugar cube with essential oils, which elevated my bathing experience.
Colcord Hotel provided an extensive selection of toiletries by L’Occitane, including bath salts.
The walk-in shower was roomy, but the standard showerhead was placed a bit low. If you are over six feet tall, you may need to adjust the showerhead’s angle significantly. The shower and bath area connected to the half bath, coming to a full circle. I hate to say it, but my biggest disappointment was the absence of lighting.
The entire suite was cloaked in a gloomy atmosphere, with the bathroom particularly affected by dim lighting.
Neither the whirlpool tub nor the walk-in shower had recessed lighting when they clearly needed it. The shower booth was so dark that it made taking a shower an uncomfortable experience.
Without any recessed lighting, the walk-in shower remained uninviting.
I couldn’t understand the intention behind the decision not to install recessed lighting, but I hope the hotel can mitigate the issue in the future.
Gym Review
After passing by the business center on the ground floor, I arrived at the hotel gym. As with most hotel gyms, the first half of the gym was allotted for cardio machines such as treadmills, ellipticals, and cycling machines.
Despite my hopes, the lighting in the gym was once again insufficient, particularly around running machines and free weights.
The cycling bikes were Expresso bikes, which were similar to Peloton bikes. Instead of live instructors, Expresso bikes featured games and “outdoor” rides simulated by choppy graphics, and the cycling experience wasn’t as engaging as other cycling platforms. The lifting area was compact but had essential equipment needed for a full workout. It was impressive to see dumbbells going all the way up to 75 lbs since I can handpick hotels that had anything higher than 50-pound dumbbells.
I was pleasantly surprised by the selection of dumbbells that went as high as 75 pounds.
The fitness center had two adjustable benches as well as a separate area for total body exercises. With kettlebells, medicine balls, and gym balls, you could engage in a wide array of workout routines.
With various gym accessories, this open space was ideal for intensive full-body workouts.
In terms of strength machines, there was really only one all-in-one gear. However, it was simple to use and had specific attachments to deliver almost all lifting routines. Moreover, I appreciated that it came with dedicated attachments for leg workouts, as small hotel gyms tend to skimp on exercise machines targeting the lower body.
The gym managed to fit a few strength exercise machines that supported lower body exercises.
While my time at the gym was pleasant, I was disappointed again with inadequate lighting—especially around running machines and dumbbells. Other than my ongoing concern with the lack of illumination, I enjoyed spending time at the gym.
Breakfast Review—Flint
Since 2021, Hilton does not offer complimentary breakfast to Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond members but instead provides a varying daily food and beverage credit depending on the Hilton property you stay in. Because the Colcord Hotel was a Curio Collection property, I was given $15 daily to spend on any food and beverage expenses. I chose to dine at the hotel’s in-house restaurant, Flint, on the first floor, which was an upscale venue serving new American and French dishes.
Flint was located across from the front desk and offered new American dishes inspired by French cuisine.
Breakfast was served daily from 6:30 AM to 10 AM, and I visited the restaurant early in the morning. I grabbed a booth seat, and most menu items were around $15, except for a few brunch menu items, like Crab Cake Benedict and Pulled Pork Sandwich, that was priced slightly higher than the others.
Despite sparse morning patronage, I was pleased to receive attentive service at the restaurant.
I ordered Wild Mushroom Blend Omelette; it was exactly $15 and used four different mushroom varieties (Shitake, Maitake, Oyster, and Beach mushrooms) and two types of cheese—Fontina and smoked Gouda. I was excited that the restaurant didn’t use typical white button mushrooms.
The Wild Mushroom Blend Omelet was packed with savory mushroom flavors.
The smokiness from smoked Gouda really came through, and the nutty flavor of the Fontina cheese complemented the funky and earthy notes of the mushrooms. The dish also came with crispy potatoes and a biscuit. Though the eggs were slightly overcooked, I was happy with the adventurous flavor profile of the omelet. If you are given daily food and beverage credit, I recommend trying Flint for new American fares.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
The gym wasn’t big compared to other properties but had all the essential gear to get a full workout out of them. I specifically appreciated having equipment that focused on lower-body exercises. For heavy lifters, the fitness center has dumbbells up to 75 lbs, so you won’t be disappointed.
From the start to the end of my stay at the Colcord Hotel, every staff member was welcoming and kind. Every time I passed by the front desk, employees checked on me and delivered amenities such as dental kits and water bottles to my room with a smile.
Negatives
Time and time again, I was dissatisfied with the lack of lighting in almost all areas of the hotel. Towards the end of my stay, it seemed intentional that the hotel didn’t include lighting in certain places, such as the walk-in shower or the bath. In the near future, it would be nice to see an option to either increase or decrease the amount of light based on preference.
Despite the fact that the hotel is a historic property, I didn’t see a single reference in my suite that highlighted its past. Instead of abstract decor, it would be much more meaningful to see photographs or artifacts from the past.
Summary
Colcord Hotel Oklahoma City, Curio Collection by Hilton, was an interesting property. Though it was originally built in 1910, the property failed to encapsulate its historical charm and identity. My suite was spacious and had upscale amenities like a Nespresso machine and a whirlpool tub, but the entire suite was inadequately illuminated. Due to its dark setting, I wasn’t able to fully appreciate the upscale atmosphere that the hotel created, and it even deterred me from enjoying certain amenities. On the other hand, I had a satisfying breakfast at Flint, and every interaction with the hotel staff was pleasant. The Colcord Hotel has the potential to distinguish itself from competitors, and I hope to see a brighter version of the hotel highlighting its history the next time I visit Oklahoma City.
