In the upper right portion of the screen is a "Search" function. It's a great feature to learn to use.

The Pittsburgh Ren has generally received rave reviews, if I recall correctly. I'm trying to figure out how to arrange a stay even though my home is only 15 miles away

Pgh Ren vs. Marriott

Pgh MR Properties

New Ren

I stayed there were several friends and was upgraded to an end room that looked out to the stadium. One friend who was in a "normal" room saw my room and then made everyone else take a look at it, as it was really, really nice. According to the portfolio, it was Room 922.

The rooms in this hotel vary incredibly. Some are very small, where the room barely fits the bed(s), desk, and entertainment center. Some are quite large and have couches, lounge chairs, etc. There are rooms that face the interior of the hotel, which isn't that great. However, there are also ones on the outside of the hotel that have great views of the city... there are also ones with a great view of the airconditionining system or parking garage across the street. I would ask for a room above the 5th floor on the outside. Rooms on the club level have nicer desk chairs and you get mouthwash and toothpaste.

The front desk staff (as well as all of the hotel staff, frankly) are quite nice and I think they will be more than willing to help you get a nice room, especially if you have status.

I would say that no matter where you stay in this hotel, the rooms are, overall, great. I wouldn't sweat where you stay too much. How much time do you actually spend looking out of the window, especially for one night

As for restaurants, you have a pretty small selection. There's Bravo Franco, Six Penn, and Olive or Twist. In a further walking distance, you have Market Square or the area by the stadiums, both of which have a few decent restaurants & bars. If you're looking for some fun, you can take a cab to the south side (around $12 each way).

CPRich: Thank you for the warm welcome to your city. FWIW: I searched and read 23 posts that contain "Renaissance" and "PIT" -- of which only 1 is less than a year old -- before posting. I already KNEW the property is nice, that is why I booked it. Certainly possible I missed something, but I don't recall seeing my specific questions answered (other than corner rooms are nice...hmmm).

CJKatl: thanks for being so helpful. I appreciate your taking the time to look.

Nicely restored property. We had a nice fairly spacious room facing the river and stadium. Hotel restaurant is good, and if you have a Ren 2 or 1 coupon, a very good deal. Lounge was closed on weekend, but they provided a breakfast coupon (but I'm guessing that's been overachieved out of existence). The stunning Grand Concourse restaurant (and more informal Gandy Dancer Saloon) is either a long walk or short taxi ride away.
http://www.muer.com/

Excellent property. Was just there 2 weekends ago and it was quite possibly one of the nicest Marriott properties I've ever been to.

By all means, you will enjoy it. If you have any status with Marriott, note in your reservation that you'd like the best room they have available. During my stay on a sold-out weekend, as a plat I received a partial-stadium view room.

I will be staying here on any future PIT trips I have on business (which are quite a few.)

These threads may help:

Post #11 and #25 in this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...rts-today.html

Although we had some "divine intervention" on that stay, let them know it is your anniversary....who knows what will happen.

The staff here is always great. Not certain what you want them to be flexible about; but they have treated us, and anyone we have ever sent there quite well.

It is one of our top 3 hotels in the entire chain......

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mid-a...ns-please.html

Gandy Dancer/Grand Concourse restaurant is stunning. Or go to dining or mid-atlantic forum and ask for restaurant recommendations on Mt. Washington. Or Church Brew House is great (and we do not even drink Beer) - but we prefer it for lunch over dinner.

If you would like some additional details, pls PM.

Thanks everyone for the great ideas -- you've given me a lot to think about this week (for some reason I have as much fun researching places I'm going to visit as I do being there...).

Sophie, I especially liked your trip report. I will make sure I let everyone know how our's goes (dang no fireworks at the stadium this time of year...) ;-)

We stayed there this past fall (2 for 1) and had a great time. Staff is verynice and were there to please. Very comfortable room had a partial view of the stadium. Had free brunch in the dining room on Sunday (Platinum) which was great. Really impressed with the restaurant manager on duty; great guy who was doing everything he could to accommodate his guests. Don't forget the $5 overnight self-parking garage across the street.

Quick update: I emailed the GM explaining that it is my wedding anniversary, I would appreciate a nice room if available, and I am open to any ideas to make the weekend memorable. Her staff replied in 4 minutes(!) stating that they love to help make memories, and does my wife like wine or champagne? Quite a great first impression!

I told you so...........

I saw this thread title and immediately thought, isn't that the place that treated SophieGirl so well? Glad to see my memory was good and that the tradition continues.

They will not disappoint...

This place is a treasure.

We're back after a wonderful weekend. This property is gorgeous. We stayed on a $100 prepaid rate, with no status, but we were treated like royalty. They put us on the club level, room 1208. This is a big corner room, overlooking the Allegheny River with a great view directly into PNC park. The weather was unseasonably warm, so we got to get out and explore a bit. Later in evening, the GM had a bottle of yummy Pinot Noir and a nice cheese/fruit plate sent to the room.

There was a small hiccup Sunday morning, as the hotel ran short on hot water. We had brunch reservations off-property so we were a little anxious. The front desk and the engineering staff were very apologetic, and reassured us it would only be a short delay. Within a half hour everything was back to normal. Good recovery...

We had Sunday brunch at the Grand Concourse. This is another beautiful historic property that was once the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad Station. We requested a window seat overlooking the Monongahela river and downtown. Great food, nice wait staff, wonderful view, and a guy with a baby grand providing background music. Perfect! (Thanks Ohmark)

Thanks again everyone for your great suggestions and advice. Great memories.