TRYP by Wyndham Pittsburgh/Lawrenceville Boutique Hotel — Hotel in Pittsburgh

My party of three recently stayed at the TRYP by Wyndham in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh (May 18-20, 2019). This is an honest review and description of our stay, which we hope will be helpful to future travelers.

Our arrival at the TRYP, a newly opened boutique hotel in a historic education building in Lawrenceville, was pleasant. However, it became clear quite quickly that a number of the amenities were not yet ready for use; the hotel had just opened up for business that week. While this is actually on the website, unfortunately, we had booked our stay over the phone and it was not disclosed to us that we would not be able to access the rooftop patio or restaurants. As far as room amenities go though, we could not complain – it was clean, stylish and modern.

On our second day at the TRYP, however, we came back to the hotel after a long day out to find that our room had not been cleaned – beds were not made, towels were not replaced. Having stayed at other TRYP hotels internationally, this was quite a surprise and a departure from the kind of service that I typically associate with TRYP; not to mention that this is a basic service that one should expect from any hotel (or motel, even), let alone a shiny, new, boutique hotel. When we called the front desk about this, letting the staff know that our room had not been cleaned but also requesting fresh towels (the ones we had used in the morning were still wet!), the staff were apologetic and promised that they would bring up some fresh towels, though room cleaning while we were now back in our room around 8 PM, would be a challenge. On the towels, they delivered.

Later that evening, when two members of our party went to run an errand, the manager communicated that he would send up some ‘snacks’ as an apologetic gesture for the lack of room cleaning. To this, our group agreed and accepted the offer, and indicated that one person was actually still in the room and would be happy to receive it on the group’s behalf. Upon returning from the errand about an hour later, these snacks had still not arrived. We checked one final time outside the door at midnight before going to bed, and then notified the front desk that we would be going to bed. While the snacks appeared in the morning as we prepared to check out of the hotel, this failure to deliver left a poor impression of the hotel and its service. The snacks? 1 small bag of Doritos, a chocolate bar, and a can of Sprite…for 3 people. Now, our rooms hadn’t been cleaned (how basic is that?) and a simple gesture hadn’t been delivered on. Why offer to do this at all?

All in all, our stay at this boutique hotel, while seemingly modern and stylish, proved to be somewhat disappointing to say the least, largely due to the service, or lack thereof. As frequent travelers, coming to a clean room is an absolute basic, and I fail to understand how this could have occurred. The lack of ready amenities should also be clearly communicated to customers, bearing in mind that not all customers will have booked online and seen the notice of when these amenities are scheduled to be open. That being said, we feel that the price of staying in a hotel that is, quite frankly, not ready for opening, should reflect this.

In communicating these concerns to the manager at the TRYP, we were also met with surprise as he pointed out that we had checked into a clean hotel, and so the full price of our stay was well within reason - could you imagine not checking into a clean hotel room? That would be absolutely unacceptable. Only after going back and forth about the definition of quality and service did he, very reluctantly, offer to cover our valet parking, and take $50 off our stay. He lacked any sliver of empathy with respect to our stay, and I question whether this man has ever received any instruction in customer service and/or hospitality.

We sincerely hope that our account of our recent stay at the TRYP will be taken into account as the hotel (hopefully) works to improve its service and the stay of...

This hotel is a much needed addition to the area. The fact that it has only been open a few months and they re-purposed a trade school means they are still working out some kinks. They have a great staff and from our interactions with the front desk and housekeeping I think they are on their way once they work out those new hotel issues. They've done a nice job of paying homage to the building's past a school and creating a nice looking hotel

Rooms: Because it is a re-purposed building the rooms are not necessarily consistent and my review is based on a room with two queen beds. The beds and pillows were very comfortable and the black out shades did a great job. Overall our room was very quiet but we had a hallway on one side and stairwell on the other so I don't know what it is like to have rooms on either side. Our room was narrow which was tight for four people and luggage for 4 days. I wish we had actually drawers instead of open shelving a long desk/table. The only drawer available was in the night stand. There were enough hangers for us but not enough space to keep a suitcase on the floor and easily maneuver.

The bathroom was a decent size and we had enough towels. The hairdryer works well. They provide a steamer instead of an iron and ironing board and it works well for getting the wrinkles out. There was a rainfall shower head which had adequate water pressure. At least in our room the barn door to the bathroom was not right. The stops are not in so it constantly goes out of the lower track and doesn't close well. Because there is baseboard molding the door isn't flush and there is a gap where you can easily see in. This is the type of thing that I think will need to be addressed in the next few months to bring the hotel to the complete stage.

Restaurants: The rooftop is beautiful but very noisy. The sound carries down the elevator shaft as well. Additional sound abortion material is needed in the area for the hotel guests comfort as well as the people visiting Over Eden. The patio section was an enjoyable spot for a drink. Over Eden should be renamed a bar with light refreshments not a restaurant. We were very disappointed after making a dinner reservation to see the menu was actually very light Mediterranean appetizer type food and not full meals. There were many open tables yet it was hard to make reservations and there were so many people standing and at the bar it was not a good use of space. Again I think this is growing pains and they will need to re-look at their menu or their market and make changes. There are many great restaurants in the immediate area to choose from.

Downstairs it was hard to tell if the Brick Shop was open or not. We found a breakfast menu but there was nobody ever there having breakfast (there were people at the coffee bar having yogurt and muffins). We didn't find the breakfast menu appealing so we didn't try to eat there. Hopefully that will get some tweaking since there are limited breakfast places in the immediate area.

Parking: Yes, there is a $25 overnight valet parking. The valet parking uses a cell phone and/or app system that works great. We went in and out several times so it was well used and the staff great. Only one time did we have a delay (15 minutes) and that was during a lull and the valet was on a break. I think all hotels in Pittsburgh have some sort of parking fee. In the past we have paid $16 - $20 to self park in garages at hotels so $25 for valet is in line. There isn't an option to self park in there small lots but you can park on other area streets if you can find a space and make sure you follow all the street rules.

Overall we had a good stay and we look forward to returning when we visit...

Let me first off start by saying the hotel staff was great. The restaurant staff was great. The valet was subpar. Now to elaborate...

I booked a wedding block of rooms a year or so before my wedding. I was getting married at a venue very close by. The booking rep (who is no longer on staff) proceeded to tell me room rates were quoted at almost $400/night because "there might be a Steelers game" Fine. I understand. It wasn't until the Steelers schedule finally came out that I had to call, personally, and ask for a better rate since there was no game scheduled that weekend. Sure, a small detail but when planning a wedding this task should have been handled by the hotel. Our rooms went from almost $400/night to less than $200/night but I had to take control and ask for a lower rate as there was no game.

The valet "lost" one of my guests car keys. Turns out they locked the key in their car. When I requested my car, they had brought out my parents car. Sure, same last name, but I requested my vehicle per my hotel room # as well as eventually providing a last name.

The parents of the groom were walked in on by a guest who was provided a room key at check in to check into an "empty" room that was occupied by my inlaws. Huge safety red flag. This happened TWICE within my wedding party. A bridesmaid was provided a key to a room that was already occupied. She opened the door to bags unpacked that was clearly someone else's room. The front desk corrected the situation and provided her another room but this is a real safety problem. This was especially an issue for a bride like myself as I planned on bringing and keeping valuables in your room as well as wedding gifts. I felt paranoid most of the evening that our room wasn't secure as other rooms were not.

At 9AM on Sunday, after our wedding, we were woke up to LOUD drums and singing. A church group had rented out a private space apparently right next to our room and had church there that morning. No sleeping in. No easing into the next morning after our wedding. Just loud pounding and singing. Perhaps proper operations would place a bride and groom NOT next to the private event space having church at 9AM the morning after their wedding.

Proper operations is what this hotel lacks, IMO. And although a behind the scenes job, makes or breaks a guests experience. As I've stated previously, the hotel staff was kind and friendly. The restaurant staff was the same. But the operations and safety issues will keep me from recommending...