Aloft by Marriott Austin Southwest

great stay-will stay again

Very nice and modern. Parking was a little much

The parking and the party environment the first night there. Was not expecting that.

The room looks modern and clean.

The hotel has modern, contemporary vibe with pared down room decor and an optional breakfast, featuring a variety of breakfast sandwiches, waffles, taco, and oatmeal priced from around $5-$10 each. The lobby/lounge has a bar, pool table and fun decor, making it a relaxing place to hang out.

Like many hotels, the bedding is basically a sheet with a heavy duvet. Too warm without a lot of AC, even in winter.

Very stylish, modern, looked great. However, it's lacking in some practical necessities - no place to hang or retrieve a hand towel near the sink (had to step into the adjourning shower room to get a towel. Only one trash can in the whole room (in the bathroom) so making coffee which was set up in the bedroom area and disposing of Keurig cups, stirrers & used sugar packets not at all convenient (we lined the ice bucket with a plastic bag and used that for a trashcan).

Here’s a detailed account of my recent experience: Previous Positive Experiences • I’ve stayed at the Aloft for years and have had positive interactions with staff, particularly Megan and Kaylee, who recognize me by name. Incident in Room 235 • During my recent stay in Room 235, I woke up with numerous bites, which were later confirmed by a doctor as bedbug bites. • I reported the issue to front desk staff Megan and Kaylee, who provided Benadryl to address the symptoms. Hotel’s Initial Response • Angeline provided two trash bags to quarantine my belongings and advised placing my clothes in a dryer on high heat to eliminate any pests. Medical Confirmation • I visited a doctor immediately after leaving the hotel, where the bites were confirmed as bedbug-related due to their pattern and location. Follow-Up with Management • I contacted the general manager, Steven, to inform him of the situation and shared the doctor’s confirmation. • I inquired about potential reimbursement for medical expenses or other compensation, but Steven declined, citing concerns about admitting fault. • Steven assured me that Ecolab would inspect the room and promised to follow up, but I did not receive further communication from him. Inspection and Outcome • Staff later informed me that Ecolab inspected the room two days after my stay and reported no findings. • The room was not treated for bedbugs following the inspection. Key Takeaways for Future Guests • Bedbugs can be challenging to eliminate and require specific treatment methods, such as heat above 125°F or diatomaceous earth. • Based on my experience, Room 235 may pose a risk, and the hotel’s handling of such situations could be improved. This experience highlights the importance of thorough inspections and follow-up in maintaining guest safety. Future guests may want to take precautions when considering this hotel. It is such a missed opportunity on behalf of the Aloft Hotel. Had they handled this differently they could’ve made me a customer for life. If I were the General Manager, I would have instructed Ecolab to sterilize the room for bedbugs, regardless of what they found. I would have offered to pay for my medical, give points, and upgrade to a nicer room for the next few stays. What they did, is actually a case study in how not to handle these types of situations.

Room was nice, the hotel hallways smelly and dirty

A true gem. This hotel is fantastic! The rooms were so well-maintained, as was everything else of this hotel. Front desk staff, Jose, was very friendly and helpful. The hotel smells great, the lobby area is open and bright. I have no idea whythis hotel is not ranked as one of the very best hotels in Austin.