Pittsburgh
 

I am attending an event at the Wyndham University Center located at 100 Lytton Ave, 15213. I will stay at either the Renaissance at 107 6th Street, 15222 or the Oaklander Hotel at 5130 Bigelow Blvd, 15213. There is a dinner at the Porch at 221 Schenley Drive, 15213.

Questions:

1. Which hotel is closer to the Wyndham?

2. Walking distance?

3. Which hotel would you recommend?

Oaklander Front Desk Official said Wyndham is now a University Dorm. Same person said restaurant is 2 miles away. Ren FD Official said it was across the street. Please clarify. In advance, thank you for all of your shared wisdom.

Did you run these addresses in Google maps?

David

I should have asked the question about your hotel recommendations first. That is of greater importance.
Also, the FD Officers' gave such disparate answers that I thought you might enlighten me in a better manner than Google maps.
Thanks.

The Oaklander Hotel is one block away from The Wyndham University Center. It is also just a few blocks from The Porch at Schenley. While I have never stayed there, it is a new hotel and looks quite nice from the street. Both of them are in the University of Pittsburgh campus area in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh. The Renaissance Hotel is a wonderful property I have stayed at for staycations; however, it is located in downtown Pittsburgh. Depending on traffic approx. 10 to 15 minute Uber/Taxi ride to get to The Wyndham University Center and The Porch at Schenley from The Renaissance. Bottomline, while I have never stayed at it, for your situation, I would definitely go with The Oaklander. The convenience factor would be well worth it. Suspect the hotel itself will also be very nice. If you do wind up staying there, please post a trip report on it. Enjoy your stay in Pittsburgh.

--Jon

Jon,
Thanks for your sage advice. Will go w/the Oaklander. Will definitely report back. Event is in July.

+1 for [MENTION=7451]Jon[/MENTION] ‘s comments. I personally have not stayed at the Oaklander but have had several work colleagues stay pre Covid. All of them have said good things about the hotel.

As promised, my review
 

The Lobby and restaurant of the Oaklander Hotel are on the 10th floor. I was upgraded to a King deluxe room. A nice room. Lights provide ambiance but nothing illuminates for reading. Likewise, the mirror in the bathroom is cutting edge, but light fixtures do not enhance for shaving purposes.

An unpleasant FD person told me that housekeeping is performed upon request and a 12-hour advance notice is required. The new normal for a 5* hotel.

For brunch, I requested poached eggs but the restaurant does not offer English muffins. An outlandish demand on my part, no doubt. Instead, I ordered the smoked salmon with no cream cheese. The dish arrived with 8 generous, nicely-sliced pieces of fish. And a paltry number of capers, 1 onion slice cut into small pieces and 1 piece of toast. Plentiful on the expensive parts, parsimonious on the remainder. Better than the reverse, I suppose.

Overall, I found the service at the Outlander perfunctory and not particularly gracious.

3 stars.

uncle wiggily Sorry to hear the service wasn't good at The Oaklander. I have started limited business travel again and service seems to be suffering everywhere. Hopefully the property will be able to improve its service and food offerings in the future. Sounds like the room was nice but had design flaws with the lighting. Hopefully that will be addressed as well.

--Jon