Magnolia Hotel Denver, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel?

The Magnolia Hotel is located in downtown Denver, Colorado. The hotel is in the middle of bustling bars and restaurants. The Magnolia Hotel is a member of the Marriott family of hotels. Amenities offered include on-site parking, a fitness center, a kitchenette, and an attached restaurant and bar.

Since I am a Platinum Premier Elite rewards member (this status level has since changed to Titanium) we were able to enjoy a complimentary breakfast option at the restaurant. We also ate dinner in the restaurant the night we arrived. Everything was delicious. For dinner we tried the buffalo wings, bacon cheeseburger, and truffle fries. The wings had great flavor, the burger was juicy, and the fries were crispy.

Breakfast brings a variety of a la carte options.

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Unfortunately, although the food was delicious, this establishment did not meet all of my expectations, let me tell you why. The best thing about this hotel was that most of the staff was pleasant.

The valet parking, is exorbitantly priced at $38 a day. While the self-park comes in at less than half price at $18/day, be aware that this price does not come with in and out benefits, so you must pay each time you enter the garage.

Our stay lasted from a Friday evening through Monday morning in the 1 Bedroom King Suite. The living area is huge but the bedroom was much smaller compared to what we remembered from the website.

I specifically chose this hotel because of the fireplace option. I also specifically chose a King Suite because it had a fireplace, not all rooms come with a fireplace. After trying unsuccessfully to start the fireplace, we found out Saturday night that the fireplace did not work. We were told by the ladies at the front desk that the hotel was in the process of transitioning all of the fireplaces from gas to electric. They were nice enough to offer us a $15 credit for the restaurant and promised the best room on our next visit.

The credit was nice, but it would have been nice to know this information before I paid for this level of room and before I chose this hotel. I booked on the Marriott website, as I usually do, and there was no mention of the fireplaces not being in service. We also noticed the pilot light was still on the whole time we were there, which was odd since the fireplace did not work, but we did not smell gas and were assured we should not be concerned.

To further add to our inconvenience, our room was not cleaned during our entire stay. Saturday we received a letter as we were heading out about 3:30p saying that housekeeping stops at 3p and our room would not be cleaned, even though we saw a cart on our floor when we left our room. It would have been nice to know this information upon arrival as well. Sunday we left our room early, about 9a, we returned to the room about 4:30p to find our room still not cleaned. We called down to the front desk who said they would send someone to clean it. We left out again only to return about 10:30p and our room remained untouched. We called down and were able to get towels but our room was not cleaned and our waters were not replenished.

To top it all off, Monday morning before our check out my husband bends down to pick up a water bottle and found a used feminine hygiene product just under the bed by the nightstand. It was so disgusting, and I was left wondering when the room was actually last cleaned.

For the cherry on top, during check out, we informed the older gentleman at the front desk about the fireplace and he tells me they are just ” for show”, contrary to what we were previously told. What hotel has a fireplace for show? I then questioned him about my room not being cleaned and he explains, “oh you opted for the green choice”. I did not opt in for the green choice (not receiving housekeeping services). That choice was made for me when no one came to clean my room after repeated requests. Then I mention the used feminine hygiene product and he brushed it off with an “awe”. 

Our experience with the room was disappointing compared to some of the great staff we met. The restaurant staff, Ashley, Josh, Al, and Jacqueline, were super pleasant and helpful, so were Barbie and Cassie at the front desk.

I really enjoyed the city and will be back.