The Richardson Hotel — Hotel in Buffalo

I was kind of dissapointed in my stay. I've been following this extablishment since 2001 when it was nothing. I had taken a trip here back when it was Hotel Henry. I didn't stay but drove the 3.5 hours to check it out. I grabbed a drink and waited 45 minutes for a charcuterie board that looked like something that could be thrown together in 5 seconds. It also was just myself and one other person so I couldn't understand why it would take so long. Fast forward years later I find out that it's bought by someone else so I planned a second trip and this time I wanted to spend the money and stay. I booked through a third party so 3 or 4 days before my trip I called the hotel to verify that my reservation was there and they said yes. When I got there I tried to park in the front because I didn't want to have to walk in the dark later from my car since I was coming alone. Well the entire front of the hotel parking was filled because the fall market was going on. I happen to notice another person go to the second lot on the other side and remove the fence that was blocking the drive marked "hotel guest only." He advised me that it was just for hotel guests and I told him I was staying. I proceeded to the front checking in my bag since I couldn't fully check in until 4. The same couple that was out in the parking lot came upstairs and was asking about the parking and wanted to know why as a paying guest (paying hundreds of dollars a night) had to park in another parking lot when none of the cars in front were for the hotel. At least they could have someone directing traffic in and out. He asked for a manager and the lady working basically said that he no longer was the manager and moved to Florida and the "other guy" was walking around somewhere. She couldn't have cared less and you could tell. I don't know what happened after but I left and came back later at 4. When I came back I told them my name and wanted to check in. The new receptionist told me that there was no reservation. I asked how is that possible because I called 3 or 4 days ago to verify. I showed her my confirmation number and e-mail etc. She told me they don't do a third party booking and then tried to get into her computer and said that she couldn't look it up and then other girl didn't print out the reservation when I called. She then said she would give me a room "for free" and I would have to get my money back from the third party. I advised that I was very appreciative but it's not free that I actually paid for the hotel already and they were not going to give my money back unless I cancelled 48 hours in advance. She seemed to be frustrated but I told her I understand that this isn't your fault but I drove almost 4 hours and I couldn't just pay twice for another hotel. So I got a room and then went down to the bar for a drink which happen to be just beer and wine which I'm fine with but in my head I'm thinking this place should be running like a 5 star hotel for the price you have to pay with a full food and functioning bar. It definetly was not. I will say to whoever the guy was running the bar he is the ONLY one that seemed to know what was going on and apologized to every person in there that would come in and want a drink. He explained what was happening with the future of the space also. If there's one person to keep it's him. They may want to put a sign up that it's card only because they don't take cash. Lastly, there was an issue with the bathrooms that were being used by the market customers as well. There was no one checking them. No towels, no toilet paper and no soap in any of the sinks or bathrooms. Unfortunetly, I want to say third times a charm but for a single person almost $300 (some paying more) a night at a hotel with nothing but a room and some history to show is a little much. I REALLY had high hopes and I hope that one day this place could be 5 star hotel because I know it can be and should be. I just think that I could have gotten more for my money at...

Let me start by expressing what I was looking for going to Hotel Henry. I wanted to explore the place! I have always liked the architectural look of the building from the outside and thought it would be a fun place to explore, and boy was it!

The center building is basically the "Main building" where you check in on the 2nd floor, just be mindful that the "ground level" is the basement, NOT the 1st floor! The 1st floor houses a restaurant, a bar, and a small a snack shop. The 3rd floor has some meeting rooms, and the 4th floor has a banquet hall.

The rooms are located in the east and west wings. They are accessible through very interesting curved hallways. "odd numbered" rooms will be in the East wing, while "even number" rooms are in the West wing. If you get a room on the east side 3rd floor, be aware that the hallway from the main building 3rd floor to the east wing 3rd floor was never constructed when the place was built in the 1800's, so it requires some elevator swapping to get to your room. At least that is what the check-in desk tells you. Once you have your room key, you can enter the East wing itself (right where the fitness center is) and take the elevator there up to the 3rd floor.

If you explore while you are there, don't just use the elevators and ignore the staircases, you will miss some interesting places if you do! I won't ruin the exploring by listing all that I found, but I will mention that the two tall towers are not supposed to be accessible to guests. But I can confirm at least one houses the heating and air conditioning units, not sure what the other one has, I wasn't able to "accidentally" wander up to the second one. My hint to any explorer, if you "accidentally" find yourself in a stairwell with some very nice wood stairs and railings, you are not far from one of the towers.

If I was to remove a 1/2 of star, it would be for the room. We stayed in one of their smaller room. We knew it was going to be small, it was clearly described that way it, so I can't deduct anything for that. What I would deduct the 1/2 star for, is what I call "attention to detail." The little things that they missed. For example, the bathroom door handle was loose. Loose as in; it came off when we pulled it shut too hard! They have the nice curved shower bar to give you that extra room in the shower, yet half the shower curtain wasn't hooked up, giving it a very sloppy appearance. Like I said, just little things they miss that some guest might notice.

As for the "feel" of the place... The main building rooms and halls were painted "warm" colors, and definitely had a cozy feel. We drank and played some cards at the long wood table near the check-in desk. The area was definitely inviting and had little conveniences like outlets to plug your phone into while you hung out. There are many little nooks where you can hang out, some had Tv's, others just comfortable furniture. The building was designed so people would hang out in the halls and the little nooks, and the hotel does an excellent job of keeping up with the intent of the design.

The buildings where the rooms are located have a much different feel. The halls are painted a sterile white, giving the guests a feeling like they are in a hospital. I have to admit, I liked that. It is a reminder of what the place originally was. Unfortunately I don't think other guests appreciated it as much. It seemed to make it a little eerie to some. Although there also were places to hang out in those hall, no one did. People seemed to talk in hushed voices, almost like they were afraid to disturb someone or something.

I can't comment on their food or service of the hotel restaurants, but there are local establishments that have fun atmospheres and good food. Just remember your near a college and the neighborhood is generally a little on the rough side. I recommend going out early and avoid wandering around the streets at night if you are unfamiliar with that...

Update: the hotel responded almost immediately to this review with a long personalized response touching on all points made, then edited their response a few minutes later to a generic “no accountability” reply. Tried to call, no answer from Bob, left a message. No call back yet.

3 star hotel, 5 star price, 1 star experience

First off, let me say I was super excited to stay at this hotel for my brothers wedding. NOTE: I did give the hotel multiple attempts to contact me. Once with a complaint at checkout and also through the contact form on the website. I was ignored. THEY DO NOT CARE.

Some background information:

My brother and his fiance booked The Richardson for his wedding and reception venue.

I checked-in on September 13th for two nights- I arrived a little early and went to the front desk to ask if my room by any chance was ready. To my delight, he advised me it was ready and checked me in. My husband and I brought our bags up to the room and when we walked in THERE WAS A MAN IN THE ROOM. He quickly mentioned that he was "fixing the TV in our bedroom but didn't call it in" and quickly hurried out of the room, I did not see any tools in his hands. It made me so uneasy that I looked around the room for hidden cameras. Next, we opened the mini fridge to put water bottles in and the fridge stunk so bad of garlic that the whole room reeked, it was obviously never cleaned. The leg of the chair was completely broken and we could not sit on it. There was one (half used) roll or toilet paper, and no backup. I went to take a soak in the tub, and the tub was dirty (hairs floating everywhere when I started to fill it). Now for the most disgusting part: I stepped out of the tub and toweled off (yes I cleaned the tub myself prior to getting in). There were two robes supplied, the one hanging in the front was hung poorly (disheveled, waist tie just hanging, crooked on hanger). I didn't really find that weird at the moment (maybe in haste it was not hung nicely?), but then after I put it on I saw how nicely the other robe was hanging that was hidden behind the one i was now wearing ...and THAT robe had slippers in the pocket in a plastic bag. To my horror, I realized that the robe I was wearing was never changed from the last guest, and that I was wearing a robe worn by someone else who had obviously hung it up in haste and kept the slippers! I was wearing a robe that had touched someone else's naked body! The bathroom fan did not work. The sink drain was cracked in half. The shower water runs out of the shower and all over the bathroom floor. There were stains all over the carpets throughout the 4th floor hallway, large brown stains. Tried to make a coffee upon checkout and the cups in the room did not match the lids (lids were huge) so couldn't take the coffee with me in the car. Friday night after the rehearsal, we all went to the bar to get a drink before the dinner. There was one bartender for everyone (other guests not in the wedding were waiting to be served too). When the mother of the bride asked her if anyone else was coming to help, her reply was that she was a "bar manager" and could "handle it". So we waited, and waited. Finally after about 30 minutes I was able to procure a drink and head to dinner, the rest of the wedding party was already seated and eating. Breakfast was cold and lacking, did not see a single staff member in the breakfast area once.

I explained my frustrations to the front desk upon checkout. The girl there was courteous, however overwhelmed. She wrote down some notes and advised me she would leave the charge open so that the manager could discount my room before closing the charge. The room was charged the same day I checked out (posted to my account on the 17th, but shows the charge was the 15th) with no discount given, not a single dollar! I still have not received any apology or call from any...