The Ivey's Hotel — Hotel in Charlotte

I waited a week to post this review so I was more clear headed/ less frustrated / had some time to cool off from our very poor experience. I took active notes once the red flags started waving, here’s my thoughts:

Our overall experience was subpar to say the least & we wouldn’t spend our money at the Ivey’s again, nor recommend to anyone. If you’re looking for an upscale, boutique, relaxing, lux hotel stay- I would highly recommend looking elsewhere. This felt far from an overnight getaway, and much more like a headache we hope no one else has to experience. I’ve had a better night of sleep with a newborn during a bad thunderstorm. Surprised by the positive reviews & truly should have taken some of the negative feedback we read about to heart before booking- because none of it is an exaggeration. This place is trying to be upscale & sell itself on the high levels of hospitality it’s providing… don’t be fooled like we were.

Pros- -Great location- close to restaurants & BOA stadium -Gorgeous rooms -Updated, clean bathrooms with private water closet -In room dining (limited hours) and upscale bar on site (also limited hours) -Super friendly, helpful valet staff -bar / snacks well stocked (for a charge) and complimentary nespresso machine was a great touch -new food & bev director (forget his name) was super friendly & we welcomed his chat while enjoying a pre dinner beverage

Cons- -Biggest RED FLAG- at 9:55-am I was still in bed & my husband was showering, a member of the cleaning team did a quick knock knock (mind you the bright red do not disturb light was clearly on & the checkout time was not until 11am)… before I could even get my feet to touch the floor to answer the knock, I was shocked to hear the knocking stranger letting herself into our room. Mind you the front door & shower door butt up and my husband was fully exposed, naked & showering- to said employee and all the guests passing by the hallway, and the rest of the staff still lingering outside our doorway. This was humiliating, extremely unprofessional & lacked the vibes of “upscale, boutique service” Ivey’s claims to provide. No apology, reason for barging in, just slammed the door & left. -Only stairs up to rooms- no elevators, prepare to lug all your belongings -valet never came outside upon arrival / calling, after 15 min, I waited in the car while my husband went in to request valet (valet is $40/day) Valet app / text service never worked before checkout- “error occurred”. Valet staff was still great, just never attentive. -2 weeks leading up to our reservation Ivey’s never answered nor returned a single call or message from the many times we reached out to make a few simple requests (cat allergy for instance) / get some questions answered. I’ve tried calling post-travels to discuss some of our experiences & they’ve not answered once. -we stayed in a “city view” king room- our view was nothing to look at what so ever-mainly a parking garage / back side of some old buildings / HVAC units. VERY, VERY loud from early evening through 3-4am with street noise, cars, restaurant / bars right outside. Noise was back to an intolerable level before 6am. -we requested a white noise machine so many times- they specifically advertise that they’re available before booking & on customized business cards left bedside. (Called a week before arriving x3- leaving aunanswered voicemail, upon arrival, and by calling the front desk an additional 2x while trying to fall asleep & feeling super frustrated by the street noise) No white noise machine was ever delivered. -the walls between rooms are uninsulated & thin. Our neighbors woke early and were extremely loud, we could hear them walking the floors, dropping luggage / items on floors & every time the doors slammed close -beds are okay, pillows are terrible & go completely flat nearly immediately- bring your own if you want any sort of cervical support. Bed linens are a bit scratchy, but upper...

I would have given the Ivey 5 stars. I booked a room; last minute, for a client who was looking for a 5 star hotel for himself and his fiance for Valentine's Day. The only 2 5stars were booked so we chose the Ivey. After booking online I called the hotel to find out what was the earliest possible I could check-in so that I could stage the room to my clients specifications to surprise his fiance. I also needed information on a local car service for the entire day and if possible other recommendations to make this a special moment for the client. Madison answered the phone and said she was the concierge. She was unable to provide me with a local car service information, she didn't know any other restaurant besides Sophie's lounge at the Ivey. As a concierge she was pretty unhelpful. She did make it her business to say that there would be no check in until 4pm and only after $500 for incidentals was paid by putting my clients card on file. I contacted my client who put his card on file pay. Keep in mind this is the Ivey and the room was rented. Although money was not an object to my client gladly paid it well with me. Nolan called me back a short time later and was phenomenal. He referred me to a local car service, he told me what the hotel had to offer for my clients like wine, chocolates, and a host of other things that what help this stay special. He also helped in the decision of two restaurants that my client was unsure about. He told me that the room was ready. Nolan's professionalism, as well as Tim the valet, Alfonso, Kenny, the young lady from the Caribbean; I forgot her name, and the house keeping staff were absolutely Top Class. The next day Madison who found it her business to mention that the hotel frawns upon balloons and to make sure they were all gone when it was time to check out of the client would be charged. I spent from 6pm Monday until 5pm the next day staging the suite to my clients specifications. Madison also said it was up to the valet's discretion; not Tim the other one, if I'd be charged 40$ to bring the stuff into the hotel. As she just sat behind her desk whispering and gossiping with the other valet; not Tim. When the driver brought my clients fiance to the hotel; which was all a surprise to her after she was driving around the city to have a spa day, shopping excursion, and her makeup done, they sat done in the lobby awaiting my client. Some guy who worked at the Ivey and was lurking in the gift shop told them they couldn't sit inside unless they had room. She did have a room unbeknownst to him. He was rude. The night went off after the like a Cinderella story with diamonds gifted, find dining and the room decor set for lover's on Valentine's. The next day I arrived to make sure I got the balloons and cleaned up rose petals. I parked as I had both days and some guy ran over and very aggressively asked am I checking in to which I said I'm checking out and attempted to explain who I was before he said " I need your keys and it's 40$ to valet". I asked was Nolan in to which he snapped "I'm the manager and are you saying your not going to pay?" By this time I had enough with the profiling of any kind and said " no". I got my client on the phone who told me to let him valet the car and he'd pay. This was as passerbys, residents, staff and gets looked. To make a long story short, my client and his fiance loved how the room was staged and with the exception of the lurking gift shop guy, Madison and the valet( not Tim the other) and the nameless mgr. (He ended up not charging me for valet) who clowned me on the street, the experience was wonderful. Thanks again to Nolan "The Magnificent", Tim " The Valiant" valet, Alfonso " The Informative" Kenny "The Just" The young lady from the Caribbean " The Kind" and The young lady from house keeping that didn't speak English but had her tablet ready to translate for us "The Wise". You guys...

We escaped from it all at The Ivey’s Hotel. Our staycation in Charlotte was exactly what we needed just days before Christmas.

From the moment we stepped into the lobby, we felt the extraordinary effort & love that goes into running this luxury boutique hotel.

A feeling as if you may have walked into a fine Parisian hotel. We feel so privileged to have experienced such beauty. And the people that operate this establishment are delightful, friendly and eager to make guests feel right at home.

Let’s talk Location! This hotel is right across from Blumenthal performing arts. We noticed families leaving The Nutcracker as we took a stroll in Uptown a few times during our stay.

Our room was the king city view & it was spectacular! There is nothing they didn’t think of to make guests feel like royalty- from the marble floors, spacious shower, the classic European bathroom in which the toilet has a separate door. This is my favorite set up because multiple people can use the bathroom at the same time. And the bed was gorgeous, comfortable and spacious! They offer the throw blanket in the gift shop. I suggest picking one up to take home as a souvenir. Our room was also appointed in art deco.

Even the bath towels are made in France. The Mistral bath and body products added to the indulgence. “tres chic.” It’s no wonder it’s been verified by Forbes travel guide as one of the finest properties in the world.

The holiday decor and lights created the perfect magical experience. There is a uniqueness to this property that sets it apart from other hotels. From the moment we walked the steps up to the second floor, I said to my husband, “can you smell the perfumed air that hits just the right notes instead of the usual harsh odors of cleaners like most hotel properties.”

You also have to stop to look at the exquisite gifts in glass bookshelf style cases. Simply request one of the hotel staff to unlock & pick out the perfect gift or surprise for your sweetheart.

Also bring home The Ivy’s Hotel candle to savor that exquisite fragrance. We cannot wait to light this candle and reminisce.

If you stay on the second floor, I would suggest walking the fabulous hallway across from one side of the hotel to the other. We stopped to look at the framed art that once displayed the Ivey’s department store framed model photos and the unique French posters signage.

We made our way down the picturesque steps to Sophia’s lounge. There we enjoyed a spectacular dinner with first class service. (I am writing a bonus separate review of the lounge on Google Maps, be sure to check that out). And you absolutely must do their breakfast!

Do not forget go into The Library on the second floor. It is magic! There you can find complimentary waters or make yourself a coffee, after hours.

If you are in the mood for a workout- the fitness center is one of the finest we have ever encountered in a hotel.

Our only regret is not staying two nights. Hope to make our way back to the hotel soon, perhaps for Valentine’s Day.

Don’t hesitate, reserve today. The Ivey’s Hotel is a must!

Thanks to all that made our visit...