Visitation Hotel Frederick, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel — Hotel in Frederick

My wife and I stayed a the Visitation Hotel in April for a little get away. We were excited at the idea of staying at such a unique hotel, and the suite we had booked looked fantastic. The hotel was created from a former convent and old girl's school, and appeared to have all of the charm that one would expect,||When we arrived at the hotel, we were amazed at how beautiful the property was and how unique the grounds were. We checked in and discovered that the suite we had booked was not attached to the hotel but was fronting E Church Street, in a building we later learned were old classrooms at the former school. With the weather being nice, we did not mind, but had it been rainy or stormy, that would have been an inconvenience. The location is apparently for the suites only and the standard rooms are in the main building. ||We also learned that the rooms in that building had just opened, and we were the first guests to be staying in the room. We were excited and went down to check it out. We had booked a suite with a separate dining and living area. but what we got was a small king suite, with just a bedroom. We spoke to the Front Desk, ultimately the situation got straightened out and we were moved to the room we had booked. It seems that at the time I made my reservation, the suite we booked was not in service, since it was so new, to the internal reservation system downgraded us and we did not know it. Once we got the situation straightened out, we were happy. ||The suite was beautiful, with windows fronting E. Church Street, and rear windows facing the hotel's main building. The room was spacious, with a generous living and dining area, a fully functioning and supplied kitchen and a separate bedroom. We felt like we were in our own private apartment. The bathroom included a large walk-in shower, and was nicely appointed. While we really enjoyed the aesthetics, there were some issues. The thermostat did not comfortably control the temperature in the bedroom. It was either too hot, or too cold. We cold not seem to find the sweet spot for the temperature. Additionally, the windows appear to be original, and let in all of the sound from the traffic on the street. If you are a light sleeper, this will be a big inconvenience. Lastly, the rooms on the second floor do not have elevator access, so all luggage must be hauled up and down two levels of steps. For those with lots of luggage, this is going to be an issue.||After settling in, we went back to the main hotel to check it out. The building is beautiful, and is so much fun to explore. There are corridors and stairwells everywhere, and you never know what you will find. The restaurant and bar are located in the old church/chapel, and is absolutely beautiful. Some may find it a little sacrilegious, but the hotel did a beautiful job of retaining the history and atmosphere, while creating a nice eating and dining area. We did not eat there, but we did sit at the bar for both nights, and we really enjoyed ourselves. The restaurant is loud, but given the environment, with marble everywhere, that's to be expected. ||The staff members throughout the hotel were very nice and friendly. We did not meet one person who left a negative impression during our stay. Parking is Valet only, at $28.00 per night. It would be nice to have self-parking, but there are not enough spaces to accommodate all vehicles, so I can see why Valet only is an option. There is a self-parking garage down the street if guests prefer. ||At this point in the hotel's development, it's would be normal to have some issues that will need to be ironed out, and if they do take care of them, the hotel will surely be a place to return to on...

We booked a Traditional King for one night, and stayed in a quiet room on the third floor. Entering into the hotel was a little confusing due to poor signage and the main lobby entry was not immediately apparent. We followed the signs for valet, which pointed to a little parking lot but learned we needed to drive all the way in to where the two legs of the building intersect. The valet meet you there, and you walk up external stairs to the second floor for the main entry to check in. (There is an elevator to access all floors as well.) This is also where you would enter for the restaurant, though we didn’t dine there this stay.

Our room was clean and comfortable. Rooms are accessed from external porches, and each pair of rooms seem to share a little vestibule accessed through card key from the porch. We liked that we had easy access to fresh air just a few steps away and wished there had been some seating for us to enjoy the long and spacious porch.

With an historic building we expect some quirkiness and maybe the odd detail here and there, but we like this kind of character. Everything seemed nicely renovated and updated, though perhaps some renovations appeared to have been done very quickly and will need repair sooner than later. We didn’t watch much TV, but the screen welcomed a person by another name when we entered, just a small oversight. We slept well after a long week and much needed rest.

We had Lattes and baked goods from Acorn Provisions which resides between reception and the restaurant. Both coffee and food were good. I was very glad they had oat milk and a gluten free baked good option for me.

I didn’t use the fitness room this time, but did check it out. It was a little difficult to find, again some confusing signage - or maybe just confusing access because of the setup of the building. It was easiest to get to the fitness center after going first to reception and following the signs. The room included a treadmill, elliptical, and stationary bike as well as dumbbells, yoga ball, towels, and a water bottle filler just outside the door. It looked like a good setup with good equipment even if a little small.

Check out was easy and the receptionist was helpful in correcting my bill as I was essentially charged twice for valet.

We were allowed to leave our car in valet after check out, allowing us to walk around town for a few hours before picking up our car. This was much appreciated.

The price for a Saturday night stay was perhaps more than felt necessary, then again, it’s the only hotel downtown (for now) and we would much rather stay here than have to drive in and out of town. We booked our room the day of, but there were plenty of people staying, the parking lots were full.

Location was perfect, we walked to dinner, walked along the canal, and strolled around shops just a couple blocks away.

We would stay again, though a multi night stay at that price would hurt a bit more. Weekdays seem to be substantially less costly to book.

I wanted to give a thorough review, as some of the negative reviews had me a bit concerned. I get that perhaps some people might have been expecting something else for the price, but it is after all a historic building that was once a cloister. My history and architecture loving husband had...

My wife and I were excited to see the opening of a new hotel in downtown Frederick, a favorite spot that sorely needed lodging. It was a “special offer” to book a room early, before the hotel even opened. We decided it would be a great Valentines Day / weekend destination and book what we thought would be a wonderful suite. Listed as a Suite with a king size bed, and a sofa / bed, with other fancy suite amenities. +The hotel also proudly proclaimed to be pet friendly. Which is true I guess…except your pet (dog) will cost $150. Not exactly “friendly” for most of us poor working folks.

Upon arriving we discovered the only hotel parking was valet, just more $ not big deal. However I’d say make a parking plan if you are brave enough to stay at this motel. Yes motel, the rooms are accessed from outside walkways, you know a motel, a very expensive motel. We checked in and found ourselves in a decent sized room. But NO suite, No king size bed, No sleeper sofa, no refrigerator, NOT a suite. My wife went to the front desk and showed them our reservation confirmation, stating King Suite, etc. And we were soon informed we were out of luck, the room we had was it, and they would offer us breakfast. Wonderful, our destination hotel was turning into a very expensive turd. When the lady from the front desk brought us our breakfast voucher and a bottle of campaign to try and smooth things over. We inquired again about a refrigerator they said they would send right up. It had not shown up and we had been waiting around in our regular room for long enough and wanted to go out and enjoy Frederick. We instructed the front desk person to make sure and leave the refrigerator out in the hall, since our ($150 / night) dog would be in the room, quietly waiting for us to return.

After spending an hour out and about a few blocks away we returned to our very regular room, still sad that our weekend of fun and food were not coming together, only to discover a refrigerator IN THE ROOM. Gee, great, we also found our dog cowering on our queen size bed in a puddle of dog pee. She had been out for a walk and gone to the bathroom right before we left. The people had obviously come in the room, terrorized the dog, and left.

At this point our weekend of fun, our destination was over. Our free breakfast next morning was $25 for the both of us to get coffee and donuts from the breakfast “bar”. Not exactly what I would call “free breakfast” because we paid for a suite and $150 for the dog they traumatized but ended up in a regular room with a queen size bed.

As I said, we were very excited, the hotel (motel) sounded very nice, Frederick needs lodging in town. It was going to be an expensive Valentines Day treat for us both and our dog. It was a letdown, a scam, unacceptable. Save your trip and money, Frederick has many many reasonable hotels that are pet friendly very comfortable and offer the room you booked. I will not be...