Do Travel Reviews Matter? Yes, They Do

How do we know that travel reviews matter? Because sometimes, the hotel's general manager personally responds.

The Honest Traveler always tries to give you the real scoop about the places you want to visit--none of those flowery, "I loved everything!" reviews, or polarized "Everything was terrible," opinions.  I try to give the good and the bad, the upsides and the down.

And sometimes, that gets noticed.

Check out what the Crowne Plaza Downtown Union Station's general manager had to say, published in response to The Honest Traveler's review on Trip Advisor:

Mark P, General Manager at Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown (Union Station), responded to this review, yesterday

Thank you very much for your comments on your recent stay at the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station. I am very glad you enjoyed our hotel and were impressed with our unique, historic property. I apologize that you were disappointed in our food and parking rates. Rest assured we will take your feedback into account as we continue to monitor our quality and services we offer. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back again in the future.

Sincerely,
Mark Parnella
General Manager

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g37209-d88164-r364570161-Crowne_Plaza_Indianapolis_Downtown_Union_Station-Indianapolis_Indiana.html#

Thanks, Mark!

Read the full Crowne Plaza Downtown Union Station, Indianapolis, Indiana review here.

Crowne Plaza Downtown Union Station, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A.

Overview: Probably the coolest hotel I've stayed in so far. Not only is it a former train station, but you can stay in a railway car inside the hotel.

Location: 123 West Louisiana Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46225, U.S.A.

Crowne Plaza's Official Website

Standing in the back hallway is the same as standing
on a balcony.  It overlooks a set of actual railway
cars that have been outfitted as guest rooms.
Camera: Nikon D-5500.

The Upsides: Downtown Union Station is a beautiful hotel.  The rigid steel structure, complete with its protruding rivets, is both contrasted and complemented by sophisticated and comfortable decor.  Not surprisingly, much of the wall art features train stations and the like. Complimentary fruit-infused water is available in the lobby during daytime hours, and a side room to the left rear of the lobby houses a microwave, tea, coffee, and other goodies.

This hotel is situated in a pedestrian-friendly part of the city. We attended an event at the nearby Lucas Oil Stadium, visited the Indiana State Museum and Eiteljorg Museum, and dined at several nearby eateries, all the while leaving the car in the parking garage.

View from the second floor.  This peaceful sitting area
holds the central elevators and adjoins the lobby.
Notice the solid white statue, upper center.  Statues of
everyday life from the railway days adorn many
areas of the hotel.
Camera: Nikon D-5500

The Downsides: You may be wondering if the commuter trains rumbling past on the tracks out back were a problem; they were not. I could hear them, but not loudly, and not once was I awakened by one.

I only had two complaints during my week long stay.  First, there was a parking fee ($24 a day at the time of my stay). I'm of the opinion that if I'm paying to sleep here, my car should stay for free.

View from my room of the Colt's Lucas Oil Stadium.
It was within walking distance of the hotel.
Camera: Nikon D-5500

My other complaint was the cost of food. Breakfast was not complimentary, and on our first day I ordered a bowl of fruit and yogurt, and it cost me almost $10! That while friends staying at a nearby establishment got alcoholic beverages from the hotel bar on the house. But this is a minor complaint, as most hotel food does come at a premium. Good thing there were so many eateries within walking distance!


Read the General Manager's Response to this review here.

Four Points Sheraton, Memphis, TN

Overview: An economy-sized hotel striving to provide a luxury experience...and doing a decent job of it.

Location: 5877 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.A.

Lovely hotel lobby.
Camera: Nokia Lumia 920

Hotel's Official Website

The Upsides: 

The interior of this hotel is lovely.  The lobby has a relaxing, accommodating feel, and, as do many hotels in Memphis, both rooms and hallways are adorned with photos from the Memphis music scene. My room was clean and had none of that old, musty smell I so dread on my first visit to a new hotel.

Food and Beverages.  A complimentary coffee and tea station is available 24/7, and each room is equipped with a coffee station, mini fridge, and two complimentary bottles of water. There is also a convenience store of sorts in the main lobby, where guests can purchase beverages, snacks, refrigerated sandwiches, and personal items. While breakfast is not complimentary, there is a restaurant area adjacent to the lobby that provides room service and seated dining. Additionally, the River Oaks Restaurant is located in the parking lot of the hotel. The restaurant is a "modern French-American bistro" that provides additional room service for the hotel. The prices are pretty, though--most entrees ranged from $20-30.

Complimentary bottled water always wins me over,
as does the cute little burlap bag that the coffee was stored in.
Camera: Nokia Lumia 920

Amenities. I am always impressed when a hotel leaves a little extra something for you in your room.  In addition to the usual bathroom accouterments, mouth wash, cotton balls and swabs, and an emery board were provided. The room had a personal safe, unusual for hotels in this price range. Wi-fi is free with no password. And the fitness center is larger than average, doesn't reek of sweat, and is complete with a hydration station and complimentary "disposable" earbuds to use with the treadmill-mounted televisions--just in case you forgot yours.

The bathroom was small but
well-stocked with little extras.
Camera: Nokia Lumia 920

The Downsides: This hotel is located on a difficult stretch of road. There is only one entrance, and the road splits around the hotel. So, if you're coming in the direction that puts you on the backside of the property, you might have to go around the block.  With a reliable GPS, however, I experienced no navigational frustrations.

As mentioned above, I got the impression that this is an economy-sized hotel trying to provide a resort atmosphere--which is not in itself a bad thing. However, the one annoyance I found in this was the size of the closet. I had a very wrinkly dress that I wanted to hang, and the closet (built into the entertainment center), was too short.  The bar was lower than most, and a safe took up room at the bottom.  Still, this was not much of a problem, as a coat rack was available on the adjacent wall.

An average Memphis-themed room.
Camera: Nokia Lumia 920

The Humor: The Honest Traveler prefers stairs to elevators.  However, when I took the stairs down from my room on the 4th floor to the ground floor level, I ended up in the janitor's closet.  Yes, the stairwell ended in the janitor's closet.  Surrounded by mops and brooms and the personal items of the housekeeping staff, I wondered, "Should I be in here?" I crept out the door into the hallway, and looked back to see the words "Housekeeping Office" posted on the door from which I had emerged.



Read the hotel management's response to this review.