The Dunhill Hotel — Attraction in Charlotte

Arriving at the Dunhill Hotel was confusing because one was not clear where to arrive to receive valet parking. There was not pull off space in front of the hotel and arriving in the rear at the arched entrance which was signed Dunhill Hotel valet was not helpful as there was not valet there. Entering the lower mezzanine level was confusing as there was no signage regarding where to go for guest reception. A cleaner happened to be in the hall and helped me learn where to go.

We arrived early and were given and early check-in which was very greatly appreciated.

The guest reception was easy and we were checked in quickly.

The room was attractive, however it had its drawbacks.

The HVAC system did not adequately condition the air in the room. It was warm and stuffy and we tried setting the thermostat to 69 and while the temperature display said it was 70 degrees in the room, there was no way that the actual temp was 69. The only way we could sleep was to remove covers from the bed and sleep with only a sheet.

The beds in room 404 were sacked out. The top of the mattresses were compressed at the edges and the top padding was also compressed. For the room price, I would have expected much better mattresses. My top sheet had a hole in it. In the bathroom, the shower tile grout did not appear to be scrubbed clean. In the corners of the bathroom there was discoloration, whether from rust or dust or dirt I do not know. The side of the vanity was dusty and showed evidence of dried on run-off from the top of the vanity. The vent of the HVAC system had dark dust and dirt accumulated in the edges of the vents. The furniture was tired and marred from too many guests and or cleaners bumping it. I had expected much higher quality/attention to details in The Dunhill. The bedside lamps were not positionable for proper reading and were beat-up and drooped. There were two floor lamps in the room which did shed some light, but overall there was a lack of adequate lighting for the room.

The hotel was quiet and we did not hear traffic which was a pleasant surprise.

Standouts of our experience included the barman and wait staff who were attentive during the evening. We enjoyed our pre-theater menu. All dishes were tasty but both the chicken and the flank steak were tough. However the berry trifle dessert was excellent. The breakfast server was very busy and the kitchen was slow to serve breakfast–it took 30 minutes for our breakfast to be served. The breakfast dishes were all very tasty and we enjoyed them. The lobby coffee for guests was very good and hot.

The website information regarding valet service and parking can be improved by making it clearer as to how one should arrive if one wishes valet service.

I selected the hotel due to location because we were attending a nearby event and we could walk to it. Given the choice in the future, I would not select this hotel because overall, the experience was not worth the cost. I would choose a Marriott or other. The ownership/management of The Dunhill ought to invest in updating the worn out furnishings and better attend to cleaning the...

I was hoping for a better experience at The Dunhill for New Year's Eve with my girlfriend, but this hotel left a lot to be desired. I wanted to have a special occasion with my woman in the city and this was not the place for it. For starters, I'd called ahead of time when I booked the room to sign up for the romance package which was supposed to include rose petals on the bed along with a bottle of champagne and chocolate truffles. The concierge I spoke with told me she made a note in my booking so that it would be ready for us but when we entered the room, nothing had been done. Very disappointing considering I had built up the experience of going to this lodging with my girlfriend, telling her to expect something special in Charlotte when we arrived - only to find nothing of the kind waiting for us. Thanks for that.

I'd also made reservations at The Asbury, a restaurant attached to the hotel, only to have the rezzy cancelled last minute. I understand that things happen (according to the message there had been a fire in the restaurant?) but we were very excited to try out the cuisine and to not find out that our reservation was cancelled and the restaurant was closed until we were trying to open the door and walk in was unacceptable. I apparently had missed the text they sent me about it, which they sent at 5PM when the reservation was at 5:30PM that day. Not a good look.

As if that weren't enough, the place wasn't very clean at all. There were some stains on the bed sheets, as well as bugs (spiders) in the room, multiple bobby pins were found in the carpet, and to top it off, there was a big wad of some woman's hair stuck to the wall of the shower. Disgusting.

The room itself was okay, a little outdated, which I wasn't expecting from the photos. There were barely any outlets to use for charging electronics, and they were all difficult to get to. Lacking basic amenities like a fridge or microwave. The bathroom was nice, but the walls were super thin and you could clearly hear the people in the next room talking through it and they weren't even talking loudly, just normal conversation but I could hear everything they said. You expect more when you pay hundreds of dollars for a one night stay.

The location is the only thing this place had going for it. I had planned on a nice romantic stay in a historic hotel downtown and instead received a subpar lodging at an exorbitant price that I now regret paying. I feel like I got scammed. I'd rather have paid to stay in a Days Inn downtown than this place. Very disappointed in my experience here and will never be booking a room at this establishment again. I'd ask for a refund but I know that won't happen. Nothing about this place was...

The Dunhill Hotel is a gem in Charlotte, and I highly recommend it for anyone seeking a gracious, boutique experience with historic charm. As the only historic boutique hotel in the city, it offers a unique atmosphere that sets it apart. During our November visit, the lobby was beautifully decorated for Christmas, creating a warm and welcoming ambiance. The bar area was also lovely—a perfect spot to unwind.

My Premium Queen room was spacious and comfortable, with a sofa, great views, and luxurious touches like two plush robes, top-quality linens, and a heavenly four-poster bed. The heat worked wonderfully, and I always had hot water, making for a cozy stay during chilly weather. The staff were consistently helpful and kind, which added to the overall positive experience.

That said, I have a few recommendations to elevate the experience further:

Bathroom Updates: The bathroom lacked hooks or racks for robes and wet towels, making it inconvenient. The shower setup was spacious but awkward—controls at the showerhead end meant getting soaked before adjusting the temperature, and the wall-mounted toiletries were inconveniently placed. A more spa-like lighting setup and higher-quality, locally sourced toiletries would also enhance the space.

Toilet Functionality: On the 10th floor, the toilet flushed weakly and slowly, which was a concern. It may be an issue with the older plumbing but should be addressed.

Room Size Consistency: I booked two Premium Queen rooms, but my friend’s room was much smaller, lacked a sofa, and was directly above construction noise. While the staff graciously offered to move her, they indicated that no quieter options were available. (Efforts should be made to avoid placing guests in rooms affected by construction.) I was also confused as to what made her much smaller room a Premium Queen.

Breakfast at The Savoy downstairs: While the setting was nice, the omelet I ordered came alone—no toast or accompaniments. It was surprisingly small and looked very lonely on the big plate. (I have never ordered an omelet anywhere that did not come with at least toast and potatoes or some other side.) My friend ordered the Classic Breakfast, which came with toast, sausage and grits or smoked gouda cake. It was a buck cheaper so what's the story?

Despite these issues, The Dunhill remains an excellent choice for its charm, history, and attentive staff. With a few refinements, it could be a truly flawless experience. I’d happily return and recommend...