Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel — Hotel in Pittsburgh

Not the worst experience I’ve ever had at a hotel, but I would not stay here again.

We were in town this past weekend for a wedding and were initially impressed by the grandeur of the lobby and the friendliness of the staff. However, the first thing I noticed when we got to our room was the temperature. It was so ridiculously stuffy. We checked in mid-afternoon and were on the sunny side of the building with the curtains drawn open, so I just assumed it was due to the sun coming. I checked the thermostat as well and it was set around 73, so immediately turned it down to 65. I then went to shut the curtains and noticed the enormous rips on both panels. Very tattered and shabby looking. We then left for dinner and came back after dark, and the room was still just as stuffy as before. The temperature would not drop. I eventually just turned the thermostat completely off, which then of course made the room super cold. Not pleasant.

My husband and I both decided to shower that evening since we had traveled all day and both of us were incredibly annoyed with the entire experience. The main issue was the water temperature. It was either scalding hot or barely lukewarm. There was no in between. The water pressure was also way too low and made it harder to shower quickly, which we wanted to do since the water temperature was so unpleasant. On top of that, our shower head appeared broken and would not stay in the correct position, meaning we had to stand super close to the shower wall just to get wet. I ended up showering three more times during our 2.5 day stay, and each experience was progressively worse in one way or another. Since we were in town for a wedding, we had several other friends staying here as well, and each of the three other couples we spoke to also had temperature and water pressure issues in the showers. The shower situation alone would prevent me from staying here again. This was hands down our biggest issue with this place.

Other notable bathroom features were the giant crack in the granite attaching the sink to the wall, the one measly towel hook that didn’t even keep the towel on, and what appeared to be a half-used bottle of hotel lotion left for us (as if it were new) from the previous occupants. Gross.

Another feature our room had that I’ve never seen in a hotel room before was a Murphy bed. Why? Extremely unclear. But the mattress was thin, the base was creaky, the shelves attached to it were dusty and the entire thing was just a giant toe-stubbing trap since the base edges jutted out past the mattress.

On our second day here, we got stuck inside for a few hours during some snowfall before the wedding, and figured we would just relax and watch tv. Nope. They apparently have satellite tv and both the tv and internet went down due to the less than one inch of snow the storm ended up producing. Again, we were in town for a wedding, this was not just a January Pittsburgh trip for fun, so we really didn’t have a lot planned besides attending the wedding that afternoon. We also called the front desk during this time to ask for more towels to be sent up, since they only provide two initially, and waited more than two hours before calling again and being told they “never got the request”.

Everything outside of the room and bathroom ended up being overall pleasant, but since the room is the main reason for a hotel stay, I would not stay here again. The lobby is great, the hotel bar is great and the staff were great, but I still cannot recommend this hotel to anyone I know. I guess you get what you pay for though, because the price was actually very reasonable per night for a downtown hotel in a relatively walkable area. I’m still just disappointed in the...

The Renaissance Hotels Pittsburgh, despite its regal name, falls short of the elegance one would expect upon entering. The initial impression is one of chaos and confusion, with a busy flow of people resembling a traffic jam. This lack of organization and tranquility is disappointing and sets the wrong tone for the hotel.

The artwork adorning the walls of the hotel did not align with my personal taste. It failed to evoke the sophistication and refinement that I associate with the Renaissance period. Furthermore, the elevators appeared outdated, which added to the overall feeling of being in a hotel that has seen better days.

The room I stayed in was subpar and left much to be desired. I was disheartened to find black duct tape under the sink, evidently used to attach the peeling wallpaper to the wall. The presence of peeling wallpaper and dusty floorboards further contributed to a sense of neglect and lack of attention to detail. Additionally, the windows were not soundproof, which resulted in unwanted noise seeping into the room.

Despite the hotel's attempts to exude an air of elegance, it often attracts a crowd of yuppies who seem to miss the mark when it comes to sophistication. This disconnect between the intended ambiance and the actual clientele can be disappointing for those seeking a truly refined experience.

On a positive note, the front desk workers I encountered during my stay were exceptional. They were warm, welcoming, and displayed a high level of professionalism. One particular moment stood out when I requested a couple of plates, and the agent cheerfully responded, "Sure, but they have unicorns on them." This small gesture of sincerity and warmth added a touch of charm to my overall experience.

Moreover, a gentleman I interacted with frequently over the phone was consistently pleasant, helpful, and displayed genuine humanity. Even simple requests, like asking for additional towels, were met with outstanding customer service.

Ultimately, it is the hotel staff that shines and compensates for the hotel's lackluster ambiance and subpar accommodations. Their dedication and customer-oriented approach are commendable and go a long way in enhancing the overall experience.

In conclusion, while the Renaissance Hotels Pittsburgh falls short of its regal aspirations, the exemplary service provided by the front desk staff and other employees makes up for the hotel's shortcomings. If you can overlook the outdated aesthetics and the disconnect between the hotel's intended elegance and its actual atmosphere, you will find a team of dedicated professionals who are committed to ensuring a...

It pains me to write this because I wanted to love this hotel, but it just didn’t meet the mark.||My husband, two kids, and I came to Pittsburgh for our first Pirates game. We chose the Renaissance for its location to the stadium (which is truly excellent—you can see it from the room!) and because we wanted something upscale for our trip.||The positives: The rooms are spacious, and the proximity to PNC Park can’t be beat. Those are the biggest selling points.||But here’s where things fell short:||Valet parking: We called ahead with our Denali’s specs to see if valet was possible. We were assured it would fit, but upon arrival it did not. We had to unload bags and find a nearby deck ourselves. Not a big deal in itself, but it set the tone.||Check-in: The front desk asked if we wanted housekeeping for a 2-night stay. For a 4-star hotel, I was surprised this wasn’t automatic, but we said yes.||Rooms: While large, the rooms are dated and dark. The bathroom especially felt tired—small tub, old shower with a curtain, and worn finishes. Dirt and grime on molding/baseboards and aging curtains didn’t reflect the level of hotel this is marketed to be.||Linens: Beds had the thin duvet-over-comforter setup that feels more budget than luxury. Sheets and bedding felt cheap.||Service: This was the most disappointing part. Calling the front desk or room service was nearly impossible—phones often went unanswered. When I did get through, the staff seemed irritated. Stephanie at the desk repeatedly acted annoyed when I asked about room service, and when she finally got through to them, they seemed confused about even taking an order. Food arrived in styrofoam boxes—which is fine—but getting to that point was frustrating.||Housekeeping: Despite confirming we wanted service, we returned at 5:00 pm on our second day to find the room untouched. After multiple unanswered calls, I finally reached the front desk and was told I had “declined housekeeping” (which wasn’t true). My husband went down and spoke to a staff member who was defensive and unhelpful. Eventually, someone did come clean the room, but it shouldn’t have been such a struggle.||In summary: The location and room size are definite pros. But for what we paid—and for a hotel rated at this level—I expected more. The outdated rooms and especially the lack of consistent, welcoming service left us disappointed. I recently stayed at the Ballantyne in Charlotte, NC—another Marriott Bonvoy 4-star property—and the difference was night and day. That stay showed me what this brand can deliver. If you’re visiting Pittsburgh, I’d put your money toward the...