Stephen B.
Yelp
Pretty standard Kimpton experience at a competitive price in downtown Cleveland.
Converted old building in the heart of downtown (as is their practice) with a slightly funky lobby. Team at the hotel are friendly -- somehow casual and professional at the same time, which, again, is part of their formula for a good property. Even offer plants at the front desk so you can have a live companion in your room. Kind of a subtle but thoughtful gesture for the solo traveler.
Rooms are nicely enough appointed and comfortably sized, European style toiletries in the shower (which is to say pump bottles of shampoo, body soap, and conditioner -- a prefer that approach as it's more environmentally friendly and can avoid frustrating attempts to unwrap soap or shake shampoo out of a bottle...). Had the good fortune to have an upgrade (I am a rock-star level IHG client) and had a slightly larger room, albeit on the second floor so it was a little noisy.
BTW, I always wonder if the "we've upgraded you to a better room" is something they say to everyone to make them feel special; that said I think my corner room was, in fact a little bigger than the standard. Loyalty pays, I guess.
Little things matter -- electrical outlets and USB outlets on both bedside tables were super convenient -- sometimes old buildings don't have readily accessible outlets. Yoga mat in the closet as is also their practice -- I actually use them, so it's a nice little amenity.
Gym is well appointed for a hotel gym -- treadmills, ellipticals, one upright computer bike (like a Peloton but different brand...which was a LITTLE bit of a bummer as Peloton seems to be the standard in many hotel gyms now), free weights, and a functional training pulley rack. Water and towels.
My only beef -- and it's a really minor one -- is that they advertise that you can even have a guitar for your room. I play, and asked about that. Turns out in reality there's one (pretty lame -- but I'm not expecting a Martin) guitar that lives in the living room, and since my room wasn't ready when I arrived (n.b. I had asked for early check in which they can't necessarily accommodate all the time, no foul there) I went to play. Broken string, no replacements -- and I even offered to change the strings! Hardly a federal case, but one of those little things that you read in the marketing, find intriguing, and then find as a little bit of a letdown.
Lobby bar closes at 10 and I had talked to front desk team about whether there are other places to go -- got a nice set of suggestions, which was a bonus, and a little thing that makes a positive impression.
IMHO, of the downtown Cleveland hotels -- and I've stayed at all of them -- this is the one for me. If you're looking for super formal perhaps not for you -- but it has a nice vibe, nice location, good rooms, and a five string guitar...