This place is sooo cute! I almost got a room here after dinner just because! I was in town for some business staying elsewhere and had dinner at the bar. I had the steak and fries and it was perfectly cooked no sauce needed and the fries were addicting. I cleaned my plate! The service was exceptional! Sam, Umut and Jeremiah were absolutely amazing conversationalists and gave me great recommendations for Louisville nightlife which were very on point! I appreciate the level of service and hospitality from all three. Next time I'm town will definitely stay here and look forward to trying something else on the menu. If you want something fancy without the fancy price check it out! read more

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I can't believe that I live in Louisville for so long and not stayed at The Brown hotel. This hotel is for the person who loves historic buildings, architecture, and exceptional customer service. My husband and I decided to spend our anniversary here. We got the romance package which included champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, a voucher for the restaurant, and late checkout. Our room was clean and spacious. The staff was extremely pleasant and helpful. We were always greeted with a smile by all employees. Erica (I hope I remembered correctly) the hostess at the restaurant went above and beyond and was sweet enough to take beautiful pictures of my husband and I. The food was amazing. We will definitely be back! read more

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The perfect hotel to stay at for the Kentucky Derby. So much history here. Beautiful bar and restaurant! And you must try the Hot Brown dish that was created there!! Also the gift shop is great!! read more

The Brown Hotel - Table decor for the Kentucky Derby weekend! The brunch here was fantastic! - Hotels Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Love this hotel, the breakfast brunch buffet is amazing but prices but worth it! Best scramble eggs and biscuits and etc. I've had in a while, it felt like Chef Gordon Ramsey was cooking for me, it was that amazing!! The Hot Brown that everyone raved about was very good but very rich creamy sauce that your stomach may not take it, I'm just saying! Our room was nice on the 10th floor but the lights keep flicking, some say bad wiring some say it was the Ghost of Mr Brown. Just saying but you can determine that for yourself. Overall I would recommend staying there for us it was convenient next to the theater where granddaughters had a dance recital. read more

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We navigated through the hotel after a Sunday brunch and again when we returned for a show in the attached Brown Theater and toured quite a bit of this beautiful property. The architecture and decor have been well preserved and a great opportunity to have a peek into the lifestyle of the last century. read more

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Run to The Brown to book your event! Louise is amazing, more than a 10/10. She goes above and beyond and makes everything feel effortless. Our wedding was an entire weekend event, and all of our guests came from out of state. Louise made sure everything ran smoother than we ever imagined. She brought great ideas to the table and was reliable and experienced every step of the way. Our guests are still talking about it. If you're considering The Brown for your event, ask for Louise -- and ask to see E and H's layout and vendor list for inspiration. You won't regret it. read more

One of my favorite hotels in the city! The service inside the restaurant and the hotel staff both were amazing. Their famous Hot Brown quickly became one of my favorite dishes. The things that sets this hotel apart is the history and beauty though. read more

Christmas Tea 2025 review: beautiful surroundings, impeccable service, classic foods. This was my first Christmas Tea experience at the Brown Hotel Lobby Bar and Restaurant. Everything was as one might expect from a traditional hotel setting: classic and timeless. Our service was impeccable. We were warmly greeted by everyone. The food was delicious. My fave item was the Coronation Chicken Salad on mini croissant. We had a wide selection of teas (bags) to choose from. Piano music from a real person was the nicest touch. I will try to make this a new Christmas tradition. The reservations book up fast so don't snooze on this one. Btw: 2hr valet parking is included for dining...I found out too late...paid $15 for parking due to special event next door...sad face. read more

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My wife and I went to Louisville this week for some bourbon tasting, and stayed at the beautiful Brown Hotel. What a classic place to stay! The history, the beauty of the hotel, the nostalgia in the lobby bar, all coupled with the outstanding service! Are there quirks? Sure, the hotel is 100 years young. But the service and quality of the experience is unmatched. We started our day each morning with a wonderful breakfast in J. Graham's Cafe. From the greetings at the host stand, to the quality service and outstanding food...what a great way to start each day! Evening was a beverage (and at times dinner) at the Lobby Bar. It's just a classic place to have a drink. The staff at the bar are all attentive, friendly and knowledgeable! The dinner menu at The Brown is quality. While there we tried many of the entrees and appetizers, including the famous Hot Brown! Everything we tried was a top-notch dish...congrats to the culinary staff at the Brown and thank you. It goes without saying we thoroughly enjoyed our stay and will be booking The Brown Hotel again on our next visit to Louisville. read more

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I have stayed at many historic sites/hotels across the country, but this is in my top 5 now and here's why. EVERYONE - and I mean EVERYONE - from housekeeping, to the waiters, to the gift shop, to the receptionists- were SO ABSOLITELY NICE. That was my first takeaway. Check in on the second floor was a breeze, and when I got to my room, I swear they scent it with different things so it smells like bourbon. So. Wonderful. Best smelling hotel room I've ever stayed in, hands down. The room was impeccably clean, the bathroom modernized and spotless as well. Shoutout to whoever got them to put in the micro mirror because I'm short and that thing WAS INCREDIBLE so I didn't have to try and put makeup on in the big mirror from far away. And now...the bed. Listen. If I could have taken that with me, I would have. That mattress and those pillows were so soft, I was sleeping the moment my head hit the pillow. It was like a cloud. I will absolutely be returning in the future, and next time I'll have to explore more! Thank you thank you thank you for a wonderful and relaxing stay. read more

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Enjoyed this historic hotel. Service was very good and I had my first hot brown here. Great experience. read more

The Brown Hotel - Small hot brown - Hotels Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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As you enter the and walk up the steps to the bar, you may be lucky enough to be transported back to the 1920s. My experience was further enhanced by the pianist who combined the keys with humor throughout his set. The staff was lovely and accommodating throughout the dinner. I chose the hot brown which the hotel and city is known for and it didn't disappoint! I figured I needed to have veggies with it and got the pancetta roasted Brussels sprouts which were delicious and for $8 was a hefty portion size. The meal comes with nice crusty bread and garlic butter which I couldn't help but keep munching on. For dessert I was able to taste the derby pie, which has walnuts and chocolate. It was a bit dry, but still very tasty! And don't forget a bourbon cocktail: I got the Kentucky mule and could tell it was made with care. The Brown Hotel bar and grill can't be missed on your trip to Louisville. read more

The Brown Hotel - Derby Pie - Hotels Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Place was clean. The staff I dealt with were friendly. Good coffee in the morning. Good shower. Overall pretty nice place. Minor complaint; the website made it feel like they had a regular rooftop bar. I was looking forward to going there. Found out the bar is really a party rental place. Bigger complaint; the windows really let every bit of outside noise in. They also didn't have full blackout shades, which would help with the window noise. read more

I was here for a legal conference and the other attendees had a number of complaints about the rooms, perceived issues with the closet, whatever. They are 5 stars in my opinion! First, they have a free shuttle back and forth. Second, they let me check in a few hours early with no extra fees. At the restaurant, I asked what was the famous local fare and the Brown Hotel had the #1 and #2 rated restaurants in the city. I had their famous Brown Sandwich and they were even kind enough to give me a mailer. Finally, when I left my hotel and was brought to the airport, I REALIZED I LEFT A BAG IN MY HOTEL. They graciously got it for me and brought it to the airport quickly. They are amazing and I appreciate their staff so much. Special thanks to Curtis and the shuttle driver for making sure I made me flight! read more

Had dinner and spilt the Hot Brown sandwich. What a great meal and somewhat reasonably priced. Don't try to eat one alone unless you're taking leftovers! read more

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Okay so we are traveling through America and this was our first down in Kentucky. We parked our RV in Louisville and had such a great time here. I made reservations for 5 at 5pm. We came about 15 minutes early, because if you're on time, you're late. Hehe. They couldn't seat us until right at 5pm, which was fine, we went to explore the hotel. It is soooo beautiful. We get to be seated and our waiter was wonderful. He gave us some history on the hotel and what it's known for "The Hot Brown". So of course we had to try that ! Ohhhh, it was sooo delicious that any where we went and if they had that, I would order it. Delicious ! read more

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A grand classic hotel from back in the day! The rooms are large, comfy bed and huge walk-in closet (however there was no illumination??), lots of windows--including in the bathroom. The issue, the bathroom drains..., all needed clearing... When there you must try the "hot brown" open face turkey sandwich with all the fixings, lobster Mac and brussel sprouts and of course an old fashioned! read more

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I confess It has been years since we have stayed here, however, we simply came tonight for the candlelight concert in the Crystal Ballroom. This was the Halloween themed concert featuring four talented violinists who were amazingly talented and provided a unique experience celebrating the music we associate with Halloween and the horror genre in candlelight. Of course the Crystal Ballroom is a remarkable room with that 1920s feel and elegance. Our only complaint was that the chairs were rather uncomfortable. We did park in the adjoining Brown Hotel parking garage($15 for this special event) that does have an enclosed walkway directly to the hotel. Unfortunately they don't have many handicapped parking spaces so we had to find the nearest spot to the entrance. Overall it was a good experience and the bar was filled with people enjoying the pianist and beverages. read more

The Brown Hotel - Candlelight concert in the Crystal Ballroom at the Brown Hotel. - Hotels Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

I was in town for work, our meetings at the Brown. Pleasantly surprised when I looked the place up online, even more pleased when I arrived. To say the hotel is charming is an understatement. Beautiful historical building near the entertainment district. My room was spacious and elegant and a real value for the price. Meeting rooms were outstanding and the staff was very friendly and professional. Our attendees had nothing but great things to say about their experience. The Brown is the perfect place to stay for work or leisure. I highly recommend and will bring our business back, read more

The Brown Hotel - Room - Hotels Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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This review is to shine light of the awesome service I received during my line sister's wedding weekend! My old Kentucky home did not fail in making sure we were accommodated and having a great time at every turn! Jodi & James were so kind and knowledgeable at the bar. And Andres was very attentive when we dined in for brunch. This hotel has an old feel with a lot of old fixtures but it was beautiful all the same. They also offer shuttle service to and from the hotel to the airport. read more

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Historic, beautiful interior in the lobby, bar, and dining areas. However for it to be rated at 4 stars I found it to be terribly dirty, dingy, and dated in the rooms. Fingerprints and dust were built up on the inside of the lobby bathroom doors, elevators. The windowsills in the room were covered in dust and someone's stray hairs from styling. Carpets were dingy and the halls were overwhelmed with air freshener in guessing to ward off the smell of the carpets being dirty. I've stayed in 2 star hotels that were cleaner. If you want the upscale services, they have them. But I was truly disappointed in the cleanliness of the building as a whole. read more

This review is limited to the food and in no way should reflect he hotel itself. My group of four made a reservation for an upscale dinner. I'll preface this with we are all locals and have never been as we usually get hot browns at other locations, but we thought we should try the original during the 100 year anniversary. The main issue that arose during our visit was the service. We were sat and took 15 minutes for anyone to talk to us. Once they did, drink order took another 15 to arrive. I would forgive this if it was a busier location; however, there were less than 7 tables in operation. The appetizer came wayyy after the drinks. Then another 30 for the food to arrive. One of my party was served soup with no spoon. It took us another 5 to wave down a waiter to get some silverware. I almost went up to the hostess stand and grabbed it myself. Someone at my party ordered a burger and it was ordered to be medium -- it came out medium rare leaning rare. The hot brown was immaculate and is probably the sole reason this review is getting a 2. It took us another 30 minutes to get the check. In that time, the person clearing our table dropped silverware on my pants. I reached down to hand him the utensils and he kept clearing my place. As I came up my head was around his extended arms like an awkward hug. At this point we spent 2+ hours on what should've been a little over an hour experience for food and service that did not come close to what I believed about this local site. Most likely will not recommend to anyone in town and will avoid in the future. Maybe hit the Louisville Zoo if you want a better James Graham Brown supported experience. read more

Dirtiest hotel ever! Poor Brown Hotel! Bad service from mostly immigrant staff that struggle to communicate in English! Rude, lazy wait staff in lobby dining room! Our sofa had used dirty plastic forks stuffed at middle in between the two cushions. Several hair scrunchies on the doorknob and various hairs covering the floors ... all from others that had previously stayed there. Yukko! Room service is non existent most of the day and when you try to order a normal burger and fries it takes multiple calls and over two hours to receive the order. We pivoted and used DoorDash to deliver all subsequent meals hot, fresh and timely.. from anyone except the hotel! The valets are nice and show hospitality but none of the other staff were in the least bit trained in hospitality nor customer service! I'll never be back! We had a chance to visit the Omni and found everyone wonderfully nice and the place was clean! How refreshing! The Brown has well past her day as a nice hotel. Dingy, dirty, bad service and downright rude at times! Poor Brown Hotel! read more

I came here for a conference and the entire staff was amazing, the food, the atmosphere, and the service was great. My only complaint if you can even call it that is, while I understand this is a historic hotel and many things are left alone to keep the classic beauty, there were many spots that could have used fresh paint, with large chunks of paint peeling on the ceilings and upper walls. That being said that small critique will not keep me from staying here again if I come through town again. read more

Top to bottom, five stars. No disappointment here. It's definitely a date night, impress a client spot. Outstanding menu, full bar, including superb bourbon and wine lists. Might get a bit noisy if the restaurant is busy. Only thing missing was an elevator operator! read more

I stayed in this legendary Louisville hotel for a few days last month while I was in town for work. I had heard great things and saw all the lovely reviews so I didn't hesitate when I booked online. This hotel is right in downtown Louisville, across from a library, next to several restaurants, other hotels, and even the Palace Theater. Once inside it definitely feels like you flew back in time several decades. From the piano player in the lobby to the fancy sit down restaurant and bar, it was definitely an experience. And you can't forget all of the derby memorabilia and elaborate wallpaper. The same vibe continued as I made my way to my room. It was rather dated in some areas. My biggest complaints were that I had a few issues with my television, there were exposed wires in many places, the wifi was poor, and it was freezing in my room... even though it was 85 outside and I didn't have the AC on at all. I actually saw a staff member bring up a space heater for another room down from mine... maybe I should have asked for one too. Oh - I also had some issues with the parking and garage but the folks at the front desk were able to get it all sorted out. While the southern charm is evident in every nook and cranny of this hotel, I simply prefer a more modernized space when I travel. The experience was fun, though. read more

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The hotel is beautiful and staff were so helpful with everything from check in to restaurants to getting us a shuttle. It was a great experience. read more

The Brown Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Everything went right at the Brown. I was greeted immediately upon arrival by a friendly valet. I needed help with some extra baggage, and that was handled instantly. Check-in was quick, and the valet was waiting with the luggage cart when I was checked in. The room was spacious and nicely decorated. I had dinner in the lobby restaurant, and since it was my first visit to Louisville, I ordered the Hot Brown, which was delicious. The restaurant manager stopped by the table to make sure everything was up to standard. Breakfast the next morning was great--a real variety of sweet fruit instead of a bowl of grapes and pineapple--and service was quick and friendly. I don't know when I will return to Louisville, but I do know where I will stay. I highly recommend the Brown. read more

Full disclosure -- I've never actually stayed at this hotel, but I stop in for a cocktail in the lobby bar every time I'm in town because the atmosphere and decor are so gorgeous. Sit at the bar to take in the whole vibe. They'll likely have anything you want bourbon-wise... even a pour of my current favorite Old Pogue that I can't seem to find anywhere. During my most recent visit, there was a great piano player doing jazzy versions of 70s, 80s, and 90s tunes. Perfect. This is where the Kentucky Hot Brown sandwich originated - a melty, decadent assembly of turkey, bacon and tomato on toast points drenched in creamy mornay sauce and served in bubbling in a crock. You won't want to eat anything else for the rest of the day after one of these, and are likely to need a nap. read more

The Brown Hotel - Old Fashioned and a Manhattan - Hotels Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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I recently provided an unfavorable review of this hotel, for the reaon listed in that review. Since that time, my computer was recovered, and they will be shipping it to me. In retrospect, I should have refrained from providing a negative review, even though I was upset at the time. To that end, the accomodations and hospitality that the Brown Hotel provided during my stay was top notch. I had my first Hot Brown at the bar and it was excellent. If you find yourself visiting the Louisville locale, stay at the Brown Hotel. read more

On our spring road trip, one of our goals was to visit iconic restaurants for the signature dishes that they are famous for. So, obviously, while we were in Louisville we made a reservation at the Brown Hotel so we could try the original Hot Brown and their Derby Pie. We started the evening with a cocktail -- an Ali Smash (rye, muddled mint, PAMA, and agave syrup). Two thumbs up for the drink. I considered an appetizer, but decided to go right to the Hot Brown for my entrée -- and I'm glad did. The Hot Brown is a substantial plate of food. Texas toast sized slices of bread, topped with a pile of roasted turkey breast, a rich mornay sauce, a few tomatoes and bacon was almost more than I could eat. but I did. And even though I was already stuffed, we finished off the evening with Derby Pie. Though I enjoyed the Hot Brown, it is not an exciting dish. The flavors fall in the category of what I would call "comfort food," I.e. pretty good, but safe for the average palate. It also hearkens back to the era when it was first created -- a time when cooks had to make the most out of inexpensive and readily available ingredients. Fast forward to today and it's a profitable item on the menu, selling for $30 and using inexpensive and readily available ingredients. The Derby Pie shares a lot of the same qualities as the Hot Brown -- in other words, it's a "comfort food" dessert. I found it quite dense and cloyingly sweet. Fortunately it was served with an assortment of fresh berries. The acidic juiciness was a much needed counter part to the heaviness of the pie. The decor of the Lobby Bar and Grill is stunningly beautiful. Service was professional. There were cocktail straws from a previous customer on the window sill next to our table. I always notice little things like this -- and if I do I, think the staff should too - especially at a place as nice as this. read more

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Awesome bartender at the famous lobby bar at The Brown Hotel. We could just imagine all of the stories and celebrities that have been here over the years. Especially stays here from the Kentucky Derby. We also had the famous Hot Brown while having cocktails. The cocktails (Old Fashioned & Mint Julip) were phenomenal. read more

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Everything was great. From the front desk to the quiet room. I would've loved a room that had a better view, but everything was great.

Visited the Brown Hotel on my visit to my hometown. And on my visit I was missing and craving a Hot Brown. The hot brown they made was so delicious 10/10 recommend. read more

5 stars all around for the food, service, and cool, historic details. The Brown Hotel is a must-visit for anyone who's stopping through Louisville - this is where they invented the famous "Hot Brown" sandwich, and I can't imagine it gets better than the original. My husband and I made reservations for their Lobby Bar about a week in advance, and would absolutely recommend them, as we saw a few walk-in visitors get turned away while we were checking in at the hostess stand. Our waiter was phenomenal - he offered solid suggestions for each course, along with several fun facts about the hotel and some of the original decor that's been preserved to this day. We also appreciated being checked on throughout our meal multiple times by another gentleman who we believe was one of the managers. Quality service is the standard here - and it shows. We had intended to only share a Hot Brown and maybe an appetizer, but everything looked so good, we ended up ordering quite a few items. The Golden Beet Salad was lovely - crisp, and lightly dressed with oranges, walnuts, and ricotta crumbles. The Smokey Mac-and-Cheese was show-stopping - somehow they've mastered how to make the Bleu Cheese flavor come through without overwhelming the rest of the dish. For entrees, we of course ordered a Hot Brown, which was enormous and hearty. You can't beat the classics, and this dish shines in its simple preparation and traditional flavors. The night we visited, the hotel was also offering a Seared Duck special - which was absolutely delicious as well. The duck was cooked perfectly, and served with asparagus and mushrooms. We couldn't resist dessert ... a slice of Derby Pie topped with ice cream. I can't wait to return to the Brown Hotel - and I think next time I'd book a room there, so we could get the full Louisville experience. read more

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We came for the Thunder of Louisville. This hotel is magical! We could watch the air show from the roof top. Everyone working there was friendly and welcoming. We loved our bartender Chad! He was super attentive and knowledgeable about various topics. He is a total gem! Get the Hot brown.... It is a must!! Hotel is walking distance from major attractions. We visited Muhammad Ali center and Louisville bats Slugger field read more

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This is THE nicest hotel in a dumpy city. If this hotel were in DC or NYC, it would be 3-4x the price you pay here. The architecture and history is stunning and you'll want to walk around taking pictures all day. This hotel embraces its Kentucky Derby ties ... to the 149 red roses corresponding to the 149th Kentucky Derby to the framed horse art on the walls ... you will be reminded where you are when you stay here. The rooms are very much what I remember luxury hotels in the 1990's to be. Before hotels renovated to embrace today's neutral palate of grey and tan, 4+ star hotels had maroon and green carpets, mahogany and cherry wood furniture ... there's even a retro television cabinet in the rooms. The yellow, maroon and green color palate is unintentionally a time capsule and its like being transported back to 30 years ago. Comfortable ... yes. Modern ... no. The Hot Brown is all that they say it is. Thick, fresh carved turkey, buttery gravy, crisp bacon and tomato. It's more of a skillet than a sandwich and all the butter in the gravy will run right through you, so be near a restroom an hour or so after eating it. But, this is one of the tastiest concoctions I've had and it comes sizzling in a dish, topped with Pecorino Romano cheese. Sadly, on weekends, its only available in the bottom floor cafe vs. the splendid main lobby restaurant. The bar has a good selection of local beers and bourbon. The prices were surprisingly not crazy, compared to some local bars we stopped into. The bar areas do get very crowded and sometimes its hard to find a seat there. This is especially true if a convention or group is in the hotel. The staff here could use some work ... especially at the front desk. I hate to say it, but this was among the worst hotel front line staffs I have ever encountered, both on the phone and in person. Zach woukd be the exception. Overall, The Brown is the only hotel in Louisville I'd want to stay in. It is classy, historic and located near Churchill Downs. For Bourbon fans, Angel's Envy and a few other distilleries are located near the hotel, as is the Louisville Slugger factory and museum. We drove to Buffalo Trace for a tour, which was about 55 minutes. Jim Beam is 25 minutes away. The city itself has a huge problem with drugs and at night, the streets around the hotel feel a bit scary, like a zombie movie. In 12 minutes, you can uber to some nice bars, but if you like dive bars, there is one called 3rd Street, which is a cool place. White Castle is half mile away for late night food. There is an attached parking lot which charges $22 per day and luckily it goes by 24 hours, not overnight and resetting in the morning. read more

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Here's all you need to know about the fabled Brown Hotel: 1) Wi-fi is abysmal. 2) Room service does not exist. Seriously. 3) The TVs in the room are laughably small. That is all. read more

We stopped in to try the infamous Hot Brown and we were not disappointed! The dish was large and delicious. I was pleasantly surprised that the recipe is handed out freely so I look forward to making it at home. One of the most delightful part of our meal was when the manager stopped by our table and gave us recommendations of things to see around the hotel. She was enthusiastic and such a joy! Overall a wonderful experience! read more

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So beautiful on the inside. Rooms are immaculate. 24 hour security at the front door. Valet or garage parking. Absolutely amazing service.