Review: Aloft Phoenix Airport

Review: Aloft Phoenix Airport

10

Arizona Biltmore (Waldorf Astoria Resort)
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa At Gainey Ranch
Aloft Phoenix Airport


For my final night in Phoenix I booked the Aloft Phoenix Airport. There were several other properties I had been interested in, but in the end the $59 rate at the Aloft was too good to pass up, and I needed the stay credit to reach 50 nights with Starwood this year.

I arrived at the hotel late in the evening, and had to laugh at the burnt-out signage, given that the “Aloft” lettering was out, and instead it just displayed “W Hotels Hotel.” I tend to prefer Alofts to most W Hotels, so this would have been quite the downgrade! 😉

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport01
Hotel signage

The lobby and check-in area were empty, and my reservation was processed quickly. I was offered a Platinum amenity of either 250 Starpoints or breakfast, and assigned a room on the sixth floor.

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport16
Aloft branding

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport18
Check-in desk

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport12
Key card and inserts

The elevator and hallway were nearly identical to those at the Aloft San Francisco, and everything felt very clean and new.

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport22
Elevator

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport14
Hallway

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport13
Entrance to room

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport03
Floor layout

I secretly love Aloft hotels. While basic, they tend to be clean, efficient, and consistent. As much as I appreciate unique properties, at some point it’s nice to check in to a new hotel and know exactly what you’re getting.

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport09
Entryway

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport04
Closet and bathroom

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport11
Bathroom

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport10
Closet

The Aloft also features the same Bliss bath amenities as the W (though a more limited selection), which is a nice touch.

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport05
Bliss amenities

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport06
Toilet

The shower was fantastic, with full dispensers that worked perfectly.

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport08
Shower

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport07
Shower dispensers

The room had plenty of outlets, and the Wi-Fi was fast throughout the property.

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport38
Room

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport39
King bed

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport40
Desk

Although I was only staying one night, the hotel does offer 250 Starpoints for making a “green choice” on multi-night stays.

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport02
Green choice placard

After getting situated I went back downstairs to get caught up on work, and hoped to grab a bite from the bar.

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport17
Lobby seating

Oddly, the bar hours were posted as being from “2PM-Close”, and while the in-room literature stated a midnight closing time, they had clearly stopped serving food and drinks by 10PM. I guess that’s what happens at hotels in Phoenix in summer.

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport15
WXYZ Bar

The Aloft is a few blocks from the Phoenix Airport, and was surprisingly quiet. The exterior of the property was nicely maintained, and parking was free and plentiful.

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport19
View from room

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport20
Airport in the distance

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport29
Hotel entry and shuttle

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport28
Hotel exterior

The pool was basic, but immaculate, and hotel employees were great at restocking towels and keeping things tidy

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport27
Pool

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport23
Outdoor seating

The gym was clean, with a decent selection of new equipment.

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport24
Gym

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport25
Gym

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport26
Gym

The lobby had a pool table along with several seating areas, and the entire space was clean and well-lit.

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport30
Pool table

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport31
Lobby seating

Breakfast was set up near the check in desk, with a cafeteria-style menu. There were an assortment of made-to-order hot items, along with fruit, pastries, yogurt, and so forth. The Platinum amenity is a voucher for $10 towards breakfast for up to two people.

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport36
Breakfast hours

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport32
Breakfast area

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport33
Drinks, yogurt, salads, and wraps

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport34
Baked goods

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport35
Cereals and chips

I selected a handful of items and presented them to the woman at the front desk along with my voucher. She did some quick mental math and waved me along with a smile.

Aloft_Phoenix_Airport37
Breakfast items

Overall, I found the Aloft Phoenix Airport to be friendly, clean, and efficient. That’s a fairly ideal combination for an airport hotel, in my opinion, and I’ll continue to seek out Alofts for quick overnight stays. While I’ve stayed at a ton of amazing luxury hotels in my life, Alofts get me oddly excited at the moment.

Conversations (10)
The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.
Type your response here.

If you'd like to participate in the discussion, please adhere to our commenting guidelines. Anyone can comment, and your email address will not be published. Register to save your unique username and earn special OMAAT reputation perks!

  1. mike Guest

    I have also stayed at this hotel and I need to try to convey to everyone that during the daytime the rooms are ridiculously light even if you close the blinds and try to sleep. This hotel needs to install some light blocking shades in every room for people sleeping during the day or else you will be forced to wake up at dawn. The sun beats into these rooms like you would not believe and especially being in Phoenix the Aloft should do something bout this asap.

  2. Ric Garrido Member

    @joediver - You expressed the same comment I was planning to write. This is the first aloft room I have seen with a second chair.

    My primary criticism of Aloft is the hotel room has no seating for a second person except the bed. I always felt there was room for one more chair.

  3. Peter Guest

    @ Lucky--Did I miss it? Have you announced which TR won the contest to be next? (for those of us in suspense...) And isn't it soon time for a "living in Seattle" update? ;-)

  4. lucky OMAAT

    @ beachfan -- Hmm, to be honest I'm not sure, though I will say that I thought the bed was fairly comfortable.

  5. beachfan Diamond

    Thanks for the review.

    Did the bed have a box spring? It looks like a platform bed.

  6. PSL Guest

    My problem with this property is that, after flying all day from New York and checking in at 4 p.m. on an 85 degree day last year, the air conditioning in my room had not been turned on. Thankfully for you, that wasn't the case on a 100 degree plus day.

  7. Joediver Member

    WOW, I think that's the first Aloft I've seen with an actual chair to relax in. Normally they only have that seat under the TV (useless) and a desk chair.

  8. Cory Guest

    I think that hotel was the first, and only, Aloft I have ever stayed in. I had no actual complaints, but my first impression when I got into the lobby was to check the signage to make sure I hadn't walked into a hostel. The lobby has a very hostel kind of feel to it.

  9. Lauren Guest

    I am such an aloft convert as well! i stayed at the aloft brussels and the room looked identical to your photos above and it was such a pleasant stay without the "unwanted surprises" that have become customary these days at hotels. plus the prices are excellent!

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Trip Report: San Diego to Phoenix on USAirways – Introduction | SANspotter Guest

[…] ever since reading Ben Schlappig’s review on the Aloft Hotel and Phoenix Sky Harbor airport last summer, I’ve been anxious to try it for myself. I fully admit that this hotel looked perhaps […]

0
mike Guest

I have also stayed at this hotel and I need to try to convey to everyone that during the daytime the rooms are ridiculously light even if you close the blinds and try to sleep. This hotel needs to install some light blocking shades in every room for people sleeping during the day or else you will be forced to wake up at dawn. The sun beats into these rooms like you would not believe and especially being in Phoenix the Aloft should do something bout this asap.

0
Ric Garrido Member

@joediver - You expressed the same comment I was planning to write. This is the first aloft room I have seen with a second chair. My primary criticism of Aloft is the hotel room has no seating for a second person except the bed. I always felt there was room for one more chair.

0
Meet Ben Schlappig, OMAAT Founder
5,163,247 Miles Traveled

32,614,600 Words Written

35,045 Posts Published

Keep Exploring OMAAT