Your favorite autograph collection hotels?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: St. Louis, MO
Programs: Hyatt. Marriott. AA. National. Avis.
Posts: 155
Your favorite autograph collection hotels?
I only started traveling for work about 2 years ago, and I fully realize I'm spoiled and blessed to be able to see new places. I have stayed at nearly every brand within the portfolio in the process (from FI up to RC). I've started to gain a bit of attachment for the Autograph Collection, but I know that all of them have a distinctly different vibe.I'm thinking of doing a few personal trips with my wife (within the US) and would probably stay at hotels within this collection. Curious to know which ones you all think are some of the best/worst properties within the collection, and why?
I'm really fond of The Hotel Minneapolis. Great location, aesthetically pleasing, good staff. I think the Raphael in Kansas City may have been my least favorite thus far. Lobby area and restaurant were good/decent...but the rooms and the decor throughout the hotel were kind of "meh".
I'm really fond of The Hotel Minneapolis. Great location, aesthetically pleasing, good staff. I think the Raphael in Kansas City may have been my least favorite thus far. Lobby area and restaurant were good/decent...but the rooms and the decor throughout the hotel were kind of "meh".
#2
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, UA Mileage Plus 1K, AA Executive Plat, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 2,325
I only started traveling for work about 2 years ago, and I fully realize I'm spoiled and blessed to be able to see new places. I have stayed at nearly every brand within the portfolio in the process (from FI up to RC). I've started to gain a bit of attachment for the Autograph Collection, but I know that all of them have a distinctly different vibe.I'm thinking of doing a few personal trips with my wife (within the US) and would probably stay at hotels within this collection. Curious to know which ones you all think are some of the best/worst properties within the collection, and why?
I'm really fond of The Hotel Minneapolis. Great location, aesthetically pleasing, good staff. I think the Raphael in Kansas City may have been my least favorite thus far. Lobby area and restaurant were good/decent...but the rooms and the decor throughout the hotel were kind of "meh".
I'm really fond of The Hotel Minneapolis. Great location, aesthetically pleasing, good staff. I think the Raphael in Kansas City may have been my least favorite thus far. Lobby area and restaurant were good/decent...but the rooms and the decor throughout the hotel were kind of "meh".
a few we have stayed in that we really like:
- Hotel Minneapolis
- The Brown Palace (DEN)
- Hotel Adagio (SFO)
- The Blackstone (Chicago)
- Hotel Chicago
- The Saint (MSY)
- Hotel Park City
#3
Join Date: May 2013
Location: New York
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott LTPP, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 1,048
The Hotel Blackhawk in Davenport, Iowa (one of the quad cities) is a really great hotel if you find yourself in that area. I also enjoyed my stays at the Hotel ICON in Houston.
Union Station in Nashville was something else though - highly recommended if you want to visit BNA. Cash prices were kind of crazy, I did stayed their on points. (vs. the blackhawk, which is a beautiful hotel but is only a Cat 5 and rates are generally under $200 a night, can get as low as $150 with specialty rates, maybe more).
Union Station in Nashville was something else though - highly recommended if you want to visit BNA. Cash prices were kind of crazy, I did stayed their on points. (vs. the blackhawk, which is a beautiful hotel but is only a Cat 5 and rates are generally under $200 a night, can get as low as $150 with specialty rates, maybe more).
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: St. Louis, MO
Programs: Hyatt. Marriott. AA. National. Avis.
Posts: 155
The Hotel Blackhawk in Davenport, Iowa (one of the quad cities) is a really great hotel if you find yourself in that area. I also enjoyed my stays at the Hotel ICON in Houston.
Union Station in Nashville was something else though - highly recommended if you want to visit BNA. Cash prices were kind of crazy, I did stayed their on points. (vs. the blackhawk, which is a beautiful hotel but is only a Cat 5 and rates are generally under $200 a night, can get as low as $150 with specialty rates, maybe more).
Union Station in Nashville was something else though - highly recommended if you want to visit BNA. Cash prices were kind of crazy, I did stayed their on points. (vs. the blackhawk, which is a beautiful hotel but is only a Cat 5 and rates are generally under $200 a night, can get as low as $150 with specialty rates, maybe more).
both MRS CALMSP and I have stayed at the Hotel Minneapolis as well, and agree with great location and a good overall hotel. We both always try to stay in the Autographs every time we travel for business or pleasure.
a few we have stayed in that we really like:
a few we have stayed in that we really like:
- Hotel Minneapolis
- The Brown Palace (DEN)
- Hotel Adagio (SFO)
- The Blackstone (Chicago)
- Hotel Chicago
- The Saint (MSY)
- Hotel Park City
#7
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Platinum Pro (LT Gold), Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium, National Exec,Hyatt,Melia, BA Exec, Iberia+
Posts: 527
My two favorites that I've stayed in are the Santo Mauro in Madrid and the Blackstone in Chicago. The Santo Mauro is just a gorgeous property. People there were impressed we were staying there on a work trip as it's a great choice but not a cookie-cutter pick. The Palacio del Retiro in Madrid has better views being on the Parque del Retiro, and I got an upgrade to an amazing suite for my one-night stay there, but I still like the Santo Mauro better.
The Blackstone is awesome and so is the Spanish restaurant there. I also was lucky enough to be upgraded to a great suite there, and they had really great Chicago-specific decor and books.
The Blackstone is awesome and so is the Spanish restaurant there. I also was lucky enough to be upgraded to a great suite there, and they had really great Chicago-specific decor and books.
#8
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott/SPG Ambassador, Delta Diamond, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 215
For the last three years it has been a goal of mine to stay at every Autograph Collection in the U.S. I'm getting there. They're opening so many internationally that I may never be able to catch up. Some favorites (remarkable overlap with those mentioned above):
*Brown Palace, Denver, Colo.
*The Grand Bohemian, Mountain Brook, Ala. (this is part of the Kessler Collection, and any property in this collection will be among most tastefulhotels you ever visit)
*Hotel Park City, Park City, Utah (fantastic upgrade opportunities)
*Hotel Blackhawk, Davenport, Iowa (there is a bowling alley in the basement)
*Union Station Hotel, Nashville, Tenn. (this and Brown Palace will be the most "grand" of the Autograph properties)
*The Envoy Hotel, Boston, Mass.
*The Laylow, Honolulu, Hawaii (charges a resort fee, because Hawaii)
*WATERMARK, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (among the best service I've ever experienced)
*Morrison House, Alexandria, Vir. (just opened in past few months, I believe)
*The Citizen Hotel, Sacramento, Ca.
*Brown Palace, Denver, Colo.
*The Grand Bohemian, Mountain Brook, Ala. (this is part of the Kessler Collection, and any property in this collection will be among most tastefulhotels you ever visit)
*Hotel Park City, Park City, Utah (fantastic upgrade opportunities)
*Hotel Blackhawk, Davenport, Iowa (there is a bowling alley in the basement)
*Union Station Hotel, Nashville, Tenn. (this and Brown Palace will be the most "grand" of the Autograph properties)
*The Envoy Hotel, Boston, Mass.
*The Laylow, Honolulu, Hawaii (charges a resort fee, because Hawaii)
*WATERMARK, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (among the best service I've ever experienced)
*Morrison House, Alexandria, Vir. (just opened in past few months, I believe)
*The Citizen Hotel, Sacramento, Ca.
#9
Join Date: May 2013
Location: New York
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott LTPP, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 1,048
For the last three years it has been a goal of mine to stay at every Autograph Collection in the U.S. I'm getting there. They're opening so many internationally that I may never be able to catch up. Some favorites (remarkable overlap with those mentioned above):
*Hotel Blackhawk, Davenport, Iowa (there is a bowling alley in the basement)
.
*Hotel Blackhawk, Davenport, Iowa (there is a bowling alley in the basement)
.
#11
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, UA Mileage Plus 1K, AA Executive Plat, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 2,325
For the last three years it has been a goal of mine to stay at every Autograph Collection in the U.S. I'm getting there. They're opening so many internationally that I may never be able to catch up. Some favorites (remarkable overlap with those mentioned above):
*Brown Palace, Denver, Colo.
*The Grand Bohemian, Mountain Brook, Ala. (this is part of the Kessler Collection, and any property in this collection will be among most tastefulhotels you ever visit)
*Hotel Park City, Park City, Utah (fantastic upgrade opportunities)
*Hotel Blackhawk, Davenport, Iowa (there is a bowling alley in the basement)
*Union Station Hotel, Nashville, Tenn. (this and Brown Palace will be the most "grand" of the Autograph properties)
*The Envoy Hotel, Boston, Mass.
*The Laylow, Honolulu, Hawaii (charges a resort fee, because Hawaii)
*WATERMARK, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (among the best service I've ever experienced)
*Morrison House, Alexandria, Vir. (just opened in past few months, I believe)
*The Citizen Hotel, Sacramento, Ca.
*Brown Palace, Denver, Colo.
*The Grand Bohemian, Mountain Brook, Ala. (this is part of the Kessler Collection, and any property in this collection will be among most tastefulhotels you ever visit)
*Hotel Park City, Park City, Utah (fantastic upgrade opportunities)
*Hotel Blackhawk, Davenport, Iowa (there is a bowling alley in the basement)
*Union Station Hotel, Nashville, Tenn. (this and Brown Palace will be the most "grand" of the Autograph properties)
*The Envoy Hotel, Boston, Mass.
*The Laylow, Honolulu, Hawaii (charges a resort fee, because Hawaii)
*WATERMARK, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (among the best service I've ever experienced)
*Morrison House, Alexandria, Vir. (just opened in past few months, I believe)
*The Citizen Hotel, Sacramento, Ca.
#12
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 842
The Palacio del Retiro in Madrid has better views being on the Parque del Retiro, and I got an upgrade to an amazing suite for my one-night stay there, but I still like the Santo Mauro better.
The Blackstone is awesome and so is the Spanish restaurant there. I also was lucky enough to be upgraded to a great suite there, and they had really great Chicago-specific decor and books.
The Blackstone is awesome and so is the Spanish restaurant there. I also was lucky enough to be upgraded to a great suite there, and they had really great Chicago-specific decor and books.
#13
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
I like Palacio del Retiro but Palacio del Retiro and Santo Mauro are not Autograph Collection properties. They are AC Hotels.
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
The Adolphus (Dallas) is probably my favorite in the US. Cotton House in Barcelona was extremely nice.
I was a bit disappointed by the Adagio (San Francisco). I gave it a second try and was still underwhelmed. It wasn't bad by any means but just OK.
Looking forward to the Blackstone in a few weeks. I've stayed there before, years ago before it was an Autograph Collection property.
I was a bit disappointed by the Adagio (San Francisco). I gave it a second try and was still underwhelmed. It wasn't bad by any means but just OK.
Looking forward to the Blackstone in a few weeks. I've stayed there before, years ago before it was an Autograph Collection property.