Aloft makes me feel like an old fart.....

OK, so I stayed at an Aloft hotel for the first time the day before yesterday. I guess this new chain targets a different demographic.... but the extreme high volume music in the lobby and elevator was just too much. The style is very young and chique..... although the colors are kind of loud.

This was the San Antonio Airport property....and perhaps my most important complaint was the gross under-staffing of this place.... everything that needed a little human interaction involved a wait time... the front desk was manned only by 1 (one) associate..... checking in took a 15 minute wait..... then my key didnt work.... another 10-12 minute wait.... heck, I realize this is not a full service chain and they want to remain profitable.... but Starwood does have a minimum standard to keep, or...?

By comparison, Four Points properties that Ive stayed in dont seem to be starved of staff.... all my latest stays have been quite different. I realize that I need to schlep all my bags by myself, but I honestly cant understand the stingy front desk staffing thing......

Am I getting tooo old.....?

It is hip and cool to wait in line. It means you are in a popular place, where only the most popular get immediate attention, and the rest of the patrons can only strive that some day, they too, will be popular. I'm sure there was a special "bouncer" line with a black rope. But apparently at this Aloft, even its location was secret. So proud that little San Antonio is turning into the westside of LA.

Aloft, a vision of W hotels = Hip, chic and cool! Have heard a lot of good things about this brand, but not stayed in one yet, aside from the W Istanbul, which is a great property! We're looking forward to give Aloft a go in the future too!

I feel you pain Gaucho.
Why not try this new chain I have been staying at?

Looks nice Sobore.... but, reading at the sign.... will they allow an "uncut" latino Roman Catholic on their premises...???

Hip and Cool to wait in line my pototo !!!!

I know that this brand is supposed to be..... but Im sorry, I aint buying it. W is cool.... full service is cool. I dont expect to get full service W for the price of Aloft, but that doesnt mean I need to remember to wear ear plugs in most public places and have to wait in line for 10+ minutes to get a human to interact with me.... this SA property needs to hire more front desk staff pronto !!!!

Could you please provide more info on their frequent rester program?

Hey, you're a MOD elsewhere. I'm sure one of the MODs* at this hotel can give you professional courtesy.

(*Mohel On Duty)

Yeah.... muchas gracias, but, no gracias...

Nap 1-2 hours per day = Silver Elite
Nap 2-4 hours per day = Gold Elite
Nap 4-8 hours per day = Platinum Elite
Nap 8+ hours per day = Check Pulse program

Sounds like my kind of program!
Where do I sign up?

Oh yeah. What about free meals? A schnorrer like me needs some nutrition between naps.

Are you sure they provide this service?
Seems to me that 95% of all motels in the U.S. are owned by Hindus these days.

We stayed at the Aloft Harlem last year, and we felt old and uncool. We wanted to get some sleep after a day of museum-seeing. There was a party going at the bar downstairs when we came back to the hotel, with everyone dressed nicer than we were.

And we're in our early thirties.

But we'd still recommend the hotel. Good value and low price for Manhattan, just one block from the 125th St. train.

I tend to like Alofts as a change of pace. Most Four Points I stay at only because they are Starwood. I haven't been around at an Aloft when there was a long wait, but they are not typically heavily staffed. Also I don't know that I've been around for the busy bar transformation as I probably haven't stayed at the "hippest" ones. The music is always present, but it sounds like may have been cranked up a bit higher in your experience.

Quick in and out, good workout facilities, usable but small room layout with a decent desk - there are useful things there, even if you feel old.

Stayed at the Aloft in Broomfield, CO, earlier this year. Was quite nice, and while the front desk was only staffed by one or two people, I didn't need much interaction with them and check-in and -out was quick and efficient. Didn't notice any extreme loud music, but maybe I am just deaf

Fortunately I have never been popular. Waiting in a line where the music outside is already deafening does not sound like a lot of fun.

Clearly, you don't want to be seen having "table service" with your $300 bottle of Skyy Vodka. Some friend you are. Next thing I know, you'll be sitting there eating Bored Room Pancakes with your toxic well vodka bloody mary (just a few chairs down from me, doing the same thing.

Skyy....? Who dares call that swill Vodka...???

Yes, the rooms are much better than the public areas, agree there... also the electronic gizmos available are very good and updated.... now, if they would combine the tech and room aspects of Aloft with the more quiet style of Four Points then that would be a winner !!!!

Another positive is the in room safe (not found in many Four Points), and the bathroom perks are also quite OK. The bars of soap and shampoo they have beat even the full service Sheratons.

The few Four Points I have been to reminded me of the 1970s

I remember the first time I heard of table service and thinking "People pay that much for a bottle that costs $10 at Albertson's?"

They sound Secret Service Approved!

I stayed at this Aloft in Bangkok last year. It fit in with Soi 11 (which has a lot of nightclubs, street food, bars out of VW vans) really well. It also looks like a fruit-colored iMac threw up in the lobby.

It was also $70 and my SPG Gold requalification stay. I'd probably stay there again. Service was fine and there were plenty of staff around.