Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel — Hotel in Portsmouth

I stayed here 3 nights on the 10th floor with a view of the waterfront. I was in town visiting family. The hotel service was excellent especially the front desk staff. The only thing I didn't like was the room doors close a little loud so you can hear people going in and out so if you want to go to sleep early or sleep late it may wake you up but after people get up and out the floor is pretty quiet after the maid staff finish cleaning up. The first night I had an adjoining room and I didn't realize it until I saw the door in between and I could hear the people in the next room talking. I called down to the front desk and they moved me immediately and sent someone up to help me change rooms. I had a king bed and omg it was so comfortable. They had the best mattress and even the pillows were nice. Maid service was on the floor the very next morning ready to clean the room. I opted out since it was just me and my room wasn't dirty yet so I chose to wait. I already had two towels two bath clothes two hand towels and an extra roll of tissue. The sink stopper messed up on the 3rd night so the water was slow to drain. I reported it to the front desk staff and they offered to send someone up to fix it but since I was checking out the next day I told them not to worry about it just fix it for the next guest. They gave me a free breakfast coupon for the inconvenience. They don't offer a continental breakfast although they should for the price of the rooms but you can purchase the buffet for $17.95. They had powdered eggs turkey sausage bacon which was little too crispy grits oatmeal waffles one day pancakes one day a fruit station and an omelette station. I didn't realize until the 2nd day that you could ask the guy at the omelette station to scramble you some eggs so I got scramble eggs with cheese although the eggs were out of the carton instead of the fresh cracked eggs but they tasted ok. The hostesses were very nice. I ate one night at the bar and grill. I had the steak and cheese sub with fries and a Pepsi. It was absolutely delicious. The total was $20. My only complaint is they over billed me by $4. I didn't find out until I checked my hotel charges at the front desk the next day. They told me to go talk to someone in the grill so I did. The grill staff said it was a mistake and gave me back $4 in cash so I would say just pay attention to your charges and keep your receipts. The next day I ordered the carrot cake and it was also delicious although a little pricey $8. I prepaid for my room when I booked but I still had to give a credit card for a $150 incidental fee when I checked in. I had all my meals charged to my room so everything came out of the $150. I spent a total of $71 eating. The other nights my son picked me up and we went out to eat. They had a DJ in the bar one night and a live band outside on the patio the next night. They have a smoke free facility but you can sit outside on the patio and smoke. I sat outside smoking my cigarettes watching the ferry go by and listening to the band. The weather got a little chilly but they lit the fire pits so it was really nice. Overall I really enjoyed my time here and...

I stayed in a “King room with a Water View” for one night on a business trip. I was given an accessible room even though I didn’t ask for, nor requested one, nor needed one. So this review is geared towards the Accessible King room with Water View. Overall this is a decent hotel and I’d probably stay here again.

Cleanliness: The room and bathroom were clean. The handle on the bathroom door had what looked like crusted up toothpaste, otherwise everything else was clean.

Water View: Apparently water view does not mean your room will be facing the water. My room was facing another building with what looked like a river passing next to the left side of the hotel. I could still see the water, but it was not waterfront.

Room Amenities: mini fridge, coffee maker.

Service: The front desk staff were nice enough and professional. There is no room service in this hotel. No online menus of the food provided for breakfast or in the restaurant/bar.

Check-In: If you do mobile check-in, you will still be required to check-in at the front desk.

Parking: valet parking and parking deck. The parking deck is directly next to the hotel, however, it is a public parking garage. The valet park their cars on the bottom floor of the parking garage, so it would probably be faster and cheaper to self-park.

Shower: rain shower that is unable to change angles with a handheld shower head attachment. The water gets hot and the water pressure is relatively good, not the best, but not bad.

Regarding the accessibility of this room. The bathroom had plenty of handles on the walls and all of the handles are relatively low, however, in the shower/bathtub, the soap, shampoo, and conditioner bottles attached to the wall are high on the wall. I imagine this may be hard to reach for those in wheelchairs or otherwise not able to reach close to 5 feet up (please see photo attached). There seems to be a good amount of free space in both the room and bathroom. There is a long desk along the window with a handle, the chair at the desk is a more modern looking chair with skinny arm rests and a low back. The thermostat is about 5 1/2 feet high on the wall in a corner that may be hard to access (please see photo attached). The curtains have long handles that come down with a large loop at the bottom, for easy pulling. Also, in order to get to the room itself, the front desk of the hotel is down a very long hallway and the elevators are down an even longer hallway at the very end. These are just my observations, I do not need accommodations so this is through the lens of someone who is likely not aware of all of the nuances required in an...

Man listen. When I tell you Southern hospitality is real. These folk ain't no joke.

From the (Bellman) Dominique greeting us as we came in, helping with our items to explaining everything in the are we may be interested in with so much positive energy and a smile. He takes his job seriously.

Then there's Timithea Branch the (Housekeeping inspector) I came to the front desk to ask for something and dropped my water bottle. 30 ounces of water and ice all over the lobby floor. Another employee grabbed 2 towels. As I was helping her clean up MY mess, Ms Branch came out of nowhere like a superhero and gently move me to the side, took the towel and said to me with the sweetest voice and a smile, "Sir, let me have this. Your are supposed to be enjoying your stay. That's what we are here for." We ran into each other several times throughout my stay. She was always pleasant. I thought she lived there. She was there from morning until the next morning it seemed.

Lastly there was Patra Freeman (Housekeeping Manager). I love the last name because my family is from. Freeman Virginia. As I was talking to Ms Branch the morning after check in Ms Freeman shows up and was introduced as the Manager. Yes I had to tell her about how Ms Branch went beyond her duties to make me comfortable and help with my mistake. She was also so pleasant when speaking to me and I could tell that her smile was genuine. She explained how I could get products that I wanted and more.

It was such a pleasure staying here and we will return. I know that this is a long post but I had to give the staff their flowers.

Now on the flip side there was only a few things that were a little off. I understand that work needs to be done. But when you have a line of guests waiting to be checked in and there are 2 people at the counter with only 1 person doing check ins that makes the guests a little frustrated. Pause your work and help with check in. The second is something that probably everyone would overlook. I love the fact that the rooms had no carpet. Some family members have severe allergies. This stay was a little uncomfortable because behind the headboard was a huge amount of dust and covering the wall. That should be addressed. Turn the headboard light on with the curtains closed and you can see it.

But in closing overall when I travel back to this area, this is where I will be staying and I will highly recommend it. You guys go above and beyond every day and I can truly see the genuineness in it. May you be blessed and the desires of your hearts be granted.

P.S. I...