Aloft Tucson University — Hotel in Tucson

I checked in w/ the BonVoy app; and since the mobile key did not work, we went to the front desk, where the agent tried to reset it, and she gave us a card key "just in case". We went back to the room, and the mobile key still didn't work, so we used the card to get in. The lights in the room were already on. Then I saw towels wadded up on the bathroom counter and floor, and the bathroom was a wet mess; my husband walked further into the room to find the bed unmade and all nasty. We went back to the front desk, where the employee working there turned to another employee looking confused that we were coming her way again, still with our luggage in tow. She seemed surprised when we told her what we saw and offered us a couple of $9 bar credits (I don't drink but it was a nice gesture) and $8 breakfast credits, along with her apologies. She assigned us a new room, which was, at least clean and ready for new guests (however, we still had to use the key cards as the mobile option was still not working). This room was streetside (4th floor) and VERY noisy. Also, for what its worth, the "breakfast bowls" that were offered at the lobby dining area were pathetic. I had a french toast bowl with berries that looked really nice on the sign; however, what I received after an unreasonably long wait was a cup with a portion so small that it wouldn't even feed a toddler...quite disappointing! My husband had a skillet-like concoction in a cup, which was slightly better but still very slow service and an unreasonably small portion for a $9 pricetag. As noted before, we were provided with vouchers for these, so there was no cost; but I feel that the value (huge price for tiny portions) and convenience (really long wait for tiny fast-food like meal in a cup) are absolutely pathetic. During our 3-night stay, our toiletries (hand soap and lotion) were not renewed, and one of the wash cloths left after a cleaning was dirty but folded up and stacked with the other one like it was clean (it looked like it had coffee on it; in fact, I was was inclined to think it might have been the same one my husband had used to wipe up a coffee spill that morning). Also, the body wash pump in the shower was not efficient at all; it took 20+ squirts even to get a small amount for showering. Perhaps it was just all gummed up and plugged, but I didn't want to look too closely at it as I had had not been impressed with the hotel's housekeeping thus far. Even with all this, staff...

Going to share the more objective pros and cons before getting into details of my specific stay.

Pros: Super convenient if you're visiting someone at the UofA. The rooms were decent, and the curtins did a great job of actually blocking light.

Cons: The pillows were kind of bad. Lumpy and not great to use (although I found the bed itself to be fine) The intersection is loud with traffic, so if you're on a lower floor prepare to hear it all. You will have to pay for parking.

My Stay: I booked my reservation for a Friday check in, Sunday check out, somewhere in the middle of that it was moved to a Thursday, Saturday stay. On me for not looking closer at the email confirmation, but I did think I needed to.

I arrived on friday and was told that since I hadn't called to change my reservation the only thing that could be done was to reinstate the Thursday-Saturday, then create a second reservation to cover Saturday to Sunday. I ended up paying for a night I didn't stay, and never planned to stay. (Seriously, why would I call on Thursday when I never planned on staying that night?)

I was even told when I was checking out that their system had been "having some issues" and was offered a complimentary snack for the road as compensation.

Housekeeping didn't check the fridge when cleaning after the last guests, so there was leftover takeout still in it when I checked in. Sushi, to be exact. And at one point one of the elevators broke down.

Most of it was nothing on it's own that would be more than a slight annoyance, but the reservation screwup really tainted much of the stay. The unexpected leftovers didn't help any.

I'm honestly not inclined to stay there again. Two different desk people basically blowing of a reservation mixup like that doesn't give me confidence that other potential issues would be handled any better. It's a shame since it was so convenient for visiting with my daughter...

This was my first experience with the Aloft brand. My first impressions? Location "Tucson University": Perfect for my business travel needs. Front Desk Staff: Friendly, helpful, and respectful of my questions and concerns.

Overall experience: Less than amazed. Whether due to Pandemic restrictions or lack of staff, my first take on this property was the reality (for price paid) did not match (the hype) expectations.

During my 3 Night Stay, I observed housekeeping staff in the hallway on my floor. Yet my room was not visited once during my entire stay. I was out of the room between 9AM - 5PM each day. A large enough window for housekeeping to perform basic cleaning/refresh of the room.

The clincher: On the 3rd and final night of my stay I decided to use the ice bucket for the first time and grab some ice down the hall. Upon taking the bucket from the shelf where Housekeeping stored it, I removed the lid to use the tongs and plastic bag to get ice. To my surprise and disgust, I was "treated" to a bucket containing loose, uncooked ramen noodles. Not even in the original packaging! Yuk!

Immediately, I called the Front Desk and reported the incident. Due to short staffing, no one from Housekeeping came to my room as requested. Ultimately I took the "ramen noodle bucket" directly to the Front Desk for assistance. The Front Desk Associate I met with was very professional and empathized with my concerns. There was no Manager on duty that Friday evening. It was not until check-out the next day that I was able to share this experience with Management.

The gracious Manager was equally appalled and arranged for bonus points to be posted to my account to compensate me for this negative experience.

I have stayed at Marriott properties around the country on business and personal travel for over 40 years. Next time around I'll be sure to inspect what's inside the ice buckets upon...