Aloft Tulsa [Master Thread]
Aloft Tulsa [Master Thread]
Oct 29, 2010, 2:43 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat, AMEX Centurion (And All That Goes With It)
Posts: 393
I stayed there a two weeks ago. Your average Aloft. Nothing different. Poorly trained staff (although the hotel is new, yet I don't think that's an excuse). Made my reservation through spg.com; checked in, was recognized as a Platinum. Folio under the door shows 0 earned points for the stay. When I check out, I inquire about this. 5 business days pass, no points accredited to my account (surprise). Call the hotel revenue manager, kindly ask him if he could look into it. Told me he gave me the points. Another 5 days pass, no points. Call SPG. Complain and moan and they gave me the points and there was no issue of points from the hotel. Flatly, the revenue manager (Tyler) lied to me. I don't like being lied to. I CHOSE to stay at his property and pay $99/night because of SPG. There was a Fairfield Inn for $65/night could have easily been where I stayed. They need to learn that.
The hotel didn't show up on my GPS (it's a new hotel) so getting to it after landing in Tulsa at 10:00 p.m. was kind of hard. Other than that, average Aloft experience anywhere else. Not bad.
The hotel didn't show up on my GPS (it's a new hotel) so getting to it after landing in Tulsa at 10:00 p.m. was kind of hard. Other than that, average Aloft experience anywhere else. Not bad.
Oct 29, 2010, 6:50 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,254
I stayed there a two weeks ago. Your average Aloft. Nothing different. Poorly trained staff (although the hotel is new, yet I don't think that's an excuse). Made my reservation through spg.com; checked in, was recognized as a Platinum. Folio under the door shows 0 earned points for the stay. When I check out, I inquire about this. 5 business days pass, no points accredited to my account (surprise). Call the hotel revenue manager, kindly ask him if he could look into it. Told me he gave me the points. Another 5 days pass, no points. Call SPG. Complain and moan and they gave me the points and there was no issue of points from the hotel. Flatly, the revenue manager (Tyler) lied to me. I don't like being lied to. I CHOSE to stay at his property and pay $99/night because of SPG. There was a Fairfield Inn for $65/night could have easily been where I stayed. They need to learn that.
The hotel didn't show up on my GPS (it's a new hotel) so getting to it after landing in Tulsa at 10:00 p.m. was kind of hard. Other than that, average Aloft experience anywhere else. Not bad.
The hotel didn't show up on my GPS (it's a new hotel) so getting to it after landing in Tulsa at 10:00 p.m. was kind of hard. Other than that, average Aloft experience anywhere else. Not bad.
Nov 21, 2010, 1:18 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Programs: SPG Plat, Marriott Gold, PC Plat, Delta PM
Posts: 50
Exact same thing
The exact same thing happened to me. Folio stated 0 points for stay. I asked about it at checkout - front desk guy said my number was in the system to call back the next day to make sure it went through. Called back the next day and front desk person told me she'd call me the next day, that she was very busy. No call ever came. Seven days go by no points - had to call SPG concierge to make it happen. Any lurkers out there? Can you guys contact this property and make sure they know what they're doing?
Jan 11, 2011, 9:32 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: AUS
Programs: HH Gold, GP Diamond, ICH Plat, SPG Gold, WN A List, National Exec
Posts: 225
I'm not sure exactly what is the standard for SPG Gold members but Front desk gave me two free espresso cards and overall this hotel seems to be in good shape however thats to be expected as it opened sometime mid 2010.
Is the Aloft brand standard for dinning more of a sandwich in a cooler and limited bar appetizers(Aloft Tulsa) or do some have restaurants?
Mar 23, 2011, 12:45 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: SPG Platinum, Delta Gold
Posts: 1
General Advice and Irritations
For those who are planning on staying at the Aloft Tulsa here is some advice. I have been at this hotel since it opened and will be through September of this year...every week is another lesson learned.
If anyone from SPG is reading this, just a thought: don't put an Aloft in any city that doesn't have another SPG hotel option...just saying, frequent business travelers are not your key market for the Aloft and I would rather have a Westin or a W. Actually, a Sheraton would do too. I am only staying at this "hotel" because I'm dedicated SPG (card and all)...I hope you appreciate that. There is a really nice Renaissance Convention Center I can see from the Aloft across the highway we used to stay at before this place opened...it taunts me with it's balconies, suites, and trained staff.
Advice:
1) Don't expect much. True, it's an Aloft and you shouldn't already but in all honesty, this one is a little incompetent.
2) The staff, while nice, are, like another person stated, fairly incompetent. Either directly speak with the GM (Ken) or go through the SPG Platinum desk.
3) There is no restaurant and the breakfast selection is sub par. Expect to have breakfast and dinner out
4) This particular Aloft is trying to make itself a "hip little night spot" so expect both loud, obnoxious music as well as a wide variety of locals and guests
5) Given the guests and the general cleanliness I would recommend getting the sheets changed every day
6) The hotel is in a terrible location. When you select a room, here are points to consider:
a) Do not face the highway (east) or 71st (south) as there are giant billboards that emit enough light to blind you
b) Do not face south or north as the the AC units don't have a proper seal to the wall and therefore the wind (there are no buildings anywhere close by so it comes full on) will cause this loud, high pitched whistling sound all night
c) In other words, you have to go for something facing west but given how much the internet degrades as you leave the elevator area, you should essentially target even numbered rooms between X20-X14.
7) The 0 points on the folio thing happens all the time. Do not go through the hotel. Set an outlook reminder for 7 days, and go straight through SPG
8) If you are going to be there for an extended stay, contact Ken (GM) and have them give you a few extra thousand points a week for your continued business.
9) The walls are paper thin
10) Do not expect cleanliness from house keeping (I found a pair of eyelashes in the shower on top of the shampoo canister once...you'd think they'd have caught that...). They've also broken my glasses once. I think you get the point.
11) Do not ask the front desk for advice on dining establishments.
I think that about covers it. If you have other questions, please don't hesitate to ask. If I remember anything else that is worth noting, I'll post.
If anyone from SPG is reading this, just a thought: don't put an Aloft in any city that doesn't have another SPG hotel option...just saying, frequent business travelers are not your key market for the Aloft and I would rather have a Westin or a W. Actually, a Sheraton would do too. I am only staying at this "hotel" because I'm dedicated SPG (card and all)...I hope you appreciate that. There is a really nice Renaissance Convention Center I can see from the Aloft across the highway we used to stay at before this place opened...it taunts me with it's balconies, suites, and trained staff.
Advice:
1) Don't expect much. True, it's an Aloft and you shouldn't already but in all honesty, this one is a little incompetent.
2) The staff, while nice, are, like another person stated, fairly incompetent. Either directly speak with the GM (Ken) or go through the SPG Platinum desk.
3) There is no restaurant and the breakfast selection is sub par. Expect to have breakfast and dinner out
4) This particular Aloft is trying to make itself a "hip little night spot" so expect both loud, obnoxious music as well as a wide variety of locals and guests
5) Given the guests and the general cleanliness I would recommend getting the sheets changed every day
6) The hotel is in a terrible location. When you select a room, here are points to consider:
a) Do not face the highway (east) or 71st (south) as there are giant billboards that emit enough light to blind you
b) Do not face south or north as the the AC units don't have a proper seal to the wall and therefore the wind (there are no buildings anywhere close by so it comes full on) will cause this loud, high pitched whistling sound all night
c) In other words, you have to go for something facing west but given how much the internet degrades as you leave the elevator area, you should essentially target even numbered rooms between X20-X14.
7) The 0 points on the folio thing happens all the time. Do not go through the hotel. Set an outlook reminder for 7 days, and go straight through SPG
8) If you are going to be there for an extended stay, contact Ken (GM) and have them give you a few extra thousand points a week for your continued business.
9) The walls are paper thin
10) Do not expect cleanliness from house keeping (I found a pair of eyelashes in the shower on top of the shampoo canister once...you'd think they'd have caught that...). They've also broken my glasses once. I think you get the point.
11) Do not ask the front desk for advice on dining establishments.
I think that about covers it. If you have other questions, please don't hesitate to ask. If I remember anything else that is worth noting, I'll post.
Aug 29, 2011, 12:58 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: 1K 1MM; Bonvoy Ambassador; Nat'l EE; Hertz PC; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,465
Had a 1 night stay here on Saturday. To echo the comments from above, this hotel is definitely not a good impression for people in Tulsa of Starwood. The front desk experience consisted of "Aloha, last name?" [typing] "we don't have upgrades, so you automatically get the points" (a true statement I know, but it was said in a such a way.).
There was a guitar player in the lobby, the bar area and living room area were pretty packed, lots of young people. Bar tender was very nice, not too talkative though, shot a little pool with some of the people and that was it. The bar closes at midnight, so I went over to Dave and Busters and finished up the night with a little skeeball.
Overall, this property is OK to spend a night at but I wouldn't stay there for a week. I've been in Tulsa for a 6 week project and have stayed at the Renaissance across the street and find it to be great. Points posted 1 day after, but didn't seem the right amount. It's about 50 points short, but my time is more valuable than that.
Also, got a "have a coffee on us" card. Went down at 10am and they were out of coffee got a "sorry".
There was a guitar player in the lobby, the bar area and living room area were pretty packed, lots of young people. Bar tender was very nice, not too talkative though, shot a little pool with some of the people and that was it. The bar closes at midnight, so I went over to Dave and Busters and finished up the night with a little skeeball.
Overall, this property is OK to spend a night at but I wouldn't stay there for a week. I've been in Tulsa for a 6 week project and have stayed at the Renaissance across the street and find it to be great. Points posted 1 day after, but didn't seem the right amount. It's about 50 points short, but my time is more valuable than that.
Also, got a "have a coffee on us" card. Went down at 10am and they were out of coffee got a "sorry".
Feb 3, 2012, 7:36 am
#8
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MCI
Programs: Co-branded credit card status moocher
Posts: 137
Anyone have a more recent experience at this property? The early posts here are pretty negative.
I have to be in Tulsa for three nights and am trying to figure out if I should stay at the Aloft, or more downtown. My wife will be traveling with me, so it'd be nice if we could find a few diversions (shops, decent local eats, etc.). What's the area around the hotel like? I'm not very familiar with Tulsa.
I have to be in Tulsa for three nights and am trying to figure out if I should stay at the Aloft, or more downtown. My wife will be traveling with me, so it'd be nice if we could find a few diversions (shops, decent local eats, etc.). What's the area around the hotel like? I'm not very familiar with Tulsa.
Feb 4, 2012, 11:41 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hong Kong & New York
Programs: AA EXP/CK, UA1K
Posts: 131
I grew up in Tulsa and have a recent stay experience at the aloft. I would probably avoid the property and stay downtown.
The hotel is in the middle of a very commercial corridor. It's near the largest mall in Tulsa (Woodland Hills) but generally devoid of culture.
I would suggest looking into the Mayo or the Ambassador hotels. If you want to stay in the neighborhood of the aloft, look into the Renaissance.
The aloft is still very rough around the edges and should be avoided.
For cuter shops and a better shopping experience than Woodland Hulls, check out Utica Square (generally a more high end experience, including a Saks) and Brookside.
Philbrook and Gilcreese are both excellent museums and well worth checking out.
If you like gambling, the Hard Rock casino is a decent option.
The hotel is in the middle of a very commercial corridor. It's near the largest mall in Tulsa (Woodland Hills) but generally devoid of culture.
I would suggest looking into the Mayo or the Ambassador hotels. If you want to stay in the neighborhood of the aloft, look into the Renaissance.
The aloft is still very rough around the edges and should be avoided.
For cuter shops and a better shopping experience than Woodland Hulls, check out Utica Square (generally a more high end experience, including a Saks) and Brookside.
Philbrook and Gilcreese are both excellent museums and well worth checking out.
If you like gambling, the Hard Rock casino is a decent option.
Jul 2, 2013, 2:21 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NH, USA
Programs: AA Million Miler, Marriott/SPG Lifetime Plat
Posts: 393
Just an FYI - there's a new ALoft in Tulsa now downtown in the Civic Center. Very new property so I think they're still settling in, I don't have experience with other ALofts so can't provide a comparison, anyone else stayed there?
Aug 3, 2013, 3:57 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORF
Programs: HH Silver, Marriott Silver, SPG Plat, Fairmont, UA GS/1K, Amex Platinum
Posts: 53
Aloft Tulsa [Master Thread]
Staying at the new Aloft Tulsa Downtown for the next 4 nights. Ready to move out after one night! Public areas are dirty! No recognition of SPG status. I never experienced a check-in with fewer words in my life! There is nothing around in terms of restaurants. Even the closest Starbucks is at Utica Square about 10 minute drive away. The wifi hasn't been working since my arrival. Not sure if it will be fixed by the time I check out!?! This is not a location with a lot of choices of decent hotel. Aloft Downtown sure is not cutting it!
Jan 15, 2014, 9:09 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: ORD; AA Exec Plat (MM), SPG Plat (Lifetime Plt), other minor status
Posts: 81
Aloft Tulsa(s)
I've spent a number of nights at the Aloft Tulsa and previously the Aloft Tulsa downtown. I'm pretty committed to SPG, but am wondering if I should just suck it up and move to the Renaissance or elsewhere. Both Aloft Hotels are underwhelming, albeit neither to the point of true avoidance if you're only here for a night or two.
The Aloft Tulsa Downtown is fine - staff is welcoming and helpful, and the physical facilities are still pretty new. Fairly standard Aloft. The issue is the location. It's a former city government building and it's in the middle of a post-apocalyptic, wind-swept concrete plaza. There's really nothing around it. Downtown itself has a number of good restaurants, but virtually no foot traffic. Just not a very energetic area.
The Aloft Tulsa is also fine from a facilities perspective. No difference from any other Aloft. However, the execution definitely seems to be lacking. From being told at the bar they're phasing out the menu and thus the only items available are pizza and artichoke dip (for perhaps the next month he thought), to deflated exercise balls in the fitness room (which I reported twice, on the second attempt they took it away, but it reappeared the next day in the same soft condition), the scarcity of food in the a la carte area (forget getting a fruit salad unless you're buying by 7am, oh and the caeser salad isn't a caeser salad BTW), the 2 days it took to replace the water jug in the fitness room, the hotel is basically a big "okay".
But where to stay? Aloft Tulsa Downtown with nothing around it? Or an indifferent Aloft in the suburbia, strip-mall part of town?
Having spent a number of nights at the Aloft Rogers, I can state that property was comparable in facilities but far superior in attitude and service.
Edited to add: the wireless is virtually unusable, even from the lobby, and one of the two elevators appears turned off as I and others have noticed only one ever appears (slowly); no notice of repair, unlike a piece of fitness equipment and the hot tub room. Had to run from the bar where I was initially posting because of a weirdo looking over my shoulder. Definitely have to decide if SPG is worth putting up with this - the Renaissance is looking mighty fine right now.
The Aloft Tulsa Downtown is fine - staff is welcoming and helpful, and the physical facilities are still pretty new. Fairly standard Aloft. The issue is the location. It's a former city government building and it's in the middle of a post-apocalyptic, wind-swept concrete plaza. There's really nothing around it. Downtown itself has a number of good restaurants, but virtually no foot traffic. Just not a very energetic area.
The Aloft Tulsa is also fine from a facilities perspective. No difference from any other Aloft. However, the execution definitely seems to be lacking. From being told at the bar they're phasing out the menu and thus the only items available are pizza and artichoke dip (for perhaps the next month he thought), to deflated exercise balls in the fitness room (which I reported twice, on the second attempt they took it away, but it reappeared the next day in the same soft condition), the scarcity of food in the a la carte area (forget getting a fruit salad unless you're buying by 7am, oh and the caeser salad isn't a caeser salad BTW), the 2 days it took to replace the water jug in the fitness room, the hotel is basically a big "okay".
But where to stay? Aloft Tulsa Downtown with nothing around it? Or an indifferent Aloft in the suburbia, strip-mall part of town?
Having spent a number of nights at the Aloft Rogers, I can state that property was comparable in facilities but far superior in attitude and service.
Edited to add: the wireless is virtually unusable, even from the lobby, and one of the two elevators appears turned off as I and others have noticed only one ever appears (slowly); no notice of repair, unlike a piece of fitness equipment and the hot tub room. Had to run from the bar where I was initially posting because of a weirdo looking over my shoulder. Definitely have to decide if SPG is worth putting up with this - the Renaissance is looking mighty fine right now.
Last edited by flying junkie; Jan 15, 2014 at 9:42 pm
Jan 16, 2014, 1:51 am
#14
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oslo
Posts: 448
The Aloft Tulsa Downtown is fine - staff is welcoming and helpful, and the physical facilities are still pretty new. Fairly standard Aloft. The issue is the location. It's a former city government building and it's in the middle of a post-apocalyptic, wind-swept concrete plaza. There's really nothing around it. Downtown itself has a number of good restaurants, but virtually no foot traffic. Just not a very energetic area.
We got a nice suite upgrade, and all in all had a great time. The AC was new and very quiet, which is quite rare these days. Only issue we had was a major party going on in a room across the hallway. People were coming and going all night, going OUT in the hallway to make phone calls (sometimes an Aloft really IS a dorm...). The hotel must have known about this and should ban huge parties being held in rooms. After all, some of us are there to rest and a have good night sleep (though the Aloft lumpy pillows did not help...please, please get rid of those, starwood.)
Jun 17, 2014, 1:16 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Plat 100, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 87
I've stayed at the Aloft Downtown for the last couple weeks Sunday-Thursday and will be staying there through the next few months. So far it's pretty standard Aloft.
They recognized my platinum status and upgraded me to a suite which was cool. Only thing is no one mentioned anything about make a green choice and I didn't see the door tag in my room last week. This week there was one there and I got the voucher as usual. So just keep in mind to ask about "Make a Green Choice" and make sure you get the door tag.
Fitness room is small but I wasn't expecting much. The area isn't that great but there aren't any other SPG options.
They recognized my platinum status and upgraded me to a suite which was cool. Only thing is no one mentioned anything about make a green choice and I didn't see the door tag in my room last week. This week there was one there and I got the voucher as usual. So just keep in mind to ask about "Make a Green Choice" and make sure you get the door tag.
Fitness room is small but I wasn't expecting much. The area isn't that great but there aren't any other SPG options.
