Right Now @ christoperj|[.com]

Back from the Gartner Security Summit, trying to get back into a rhythm. . .

Right Now @ christoperj|[.com]

It's National Donut Day. . .

Right Now @ christoperj|[.com]

Governor Perry says TX is 'a model for clean air'. Instead of the ozone and haze I always see, it must be butterflies and rainbows. My bad.

Review @ Tripadvisor -- Fort Worth: The Ashton Hotel: Received a deeply discounted rate and think we got our money's worth

Originally posted @ Tripadvisor here

Room and hotel were clean and above average as far as decor and amenities go. Staff was also very friendly.

But we would have likely been upset if had to pay the full rate (199/night) advertised on the website.

View from the room (202) was of a wall about 10 +/- feet away. We asked if there was another room, and was told they were fully booked. So we made due.

Walls were not thick enough to mask the activity of the hotel. Conversations of staff and other guests echoed through the hallways. There's nothing quite like being awoken by housekeeping staff speaking spanish down the hallway when you try to sleep in past 8am on a holiday weekend. Or of their walkie talke radio that was left on the cart. Or of the vacuums in the hallway or any of the adjacent rooms (on the same floor or above -- couldnt tell) when you try to sleep past 9a. Or of the 'muzak' music they piped into the hallways. Or the neighbors in 201 who spent two nights having a vocal argument about whatever. Or their normal volume phone conversation about the whole relationship debacle.

The hotel was surely aware of this volume problem. The phones were the same ones found in any hotel these days. But the phones had their speakerphone buttons removed from the keypad and covered with the plastic overlay. They've surely had the conversation before.

Our room had a double door on it, likely due to how the building was an old office building back in the day. But the doors did not seal completely. Hallway light was visible through all sides of the doors day and night.

As expected with pricey hotels, the room came with a honor bar and it was, well, pricey. We tried stowing the basket of candy and water bottles every night to keep us from accidentally grabbing one that we didnt bring. . . only to find that the water bottles always appeared back in the center of the table.

There were no official coke machines out and about. But hidden in the basement, around from the wine cellar and the workout room -- we did find the employee area. Complete with cokes for 75 cents. (I think in the room, they were 3 bucks). Also found some autographed head shots of Tony Bennett, Sarah Fergerson and other celebs on the wall.

Valet parking was 15 a night. We parked in the free sundance garage a couple of blocks away. For whatever reason, we found that hotel tried to charge us for valet service the last 2 nights of our stay. It *appears* as one individual on the night staff made an assumption that because we were staying at the hotel, we were using their valet service. The day staff was quick to correct the bill, but the hassle of having to deal with what should have been a simple checkout was both surprising and annoying.

TV's were flat screen lcd's, but channels were limited. Oddly enough, all of the channels had HDTV feeds, but the hotel wasnt showing them. TV's were capable of showing them though -- the ppv advertisements on the default hotel channel constantly advertised available HD movies

On the other hand, wireless hotel internet was free -- a unique thing these days. And we got cookies on our pillow every night during turndown service. Rooms were also very clean and the beds were comfortable.

You also can not really beat the location, being in Sundance Square proper.

All and all, I echo the comments about this being a solid hotel with potential. It likely intends to cater to an upper-class clientèle or for special occasions. Everybody else being an extra bonus.

But as an overall stay, I just really wasnt impressed. I really wasnt unsatisfied, just not impressed.

If had to sum it all up in one word, it would really be 'meh'

Value: 2 of 5
Rooms: 2 of 5
Location: 5 of 5
Cleanliness: 4 of 5
Service: 3 of 5
Sleep Quality: 2 of 5

Date of stay: May 2010
Visit was for: Leisure
Traveled with: Spouse/Partner
Recommended by this reviewer? No