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| - So... my husband and I LOVED Hotel32 the first time I reviewed it in 2013 or so. We have since gone back several times, including just this week, and I am sad to say we will not stay here again.
To put this in perspective for those who may be unfamiliar -
**Imagine that you always travel First Class on airplanes. Say you fly 2-3 times per year, and it's always fun because you get a big gooey ice cream sundae each time, you get big cushy seats, a glass of wine, and warm fuzzy slippers with a pleasant smile and a warm cookie. Sounds nice, doesn't it? The fact that the ticket prices increase a bit every flight doesn't matter, because it's worth it! It's justified. Then, one day, you board the plane and take your seat, and while it's still bigger than coach, they hand you a tiny bag of peanuts instead of a sundae... and instead of slippers you get a cranky flight attendant picking on you for having your seat back down 1/4 of an inch prior to take off....And that warm cookie they used to give out just after take off? Nothing. Just a reminder to remain seated with your seat-belt fastened.**
That is the feeling my husband and I had on our last trip to Hotel32.
------Now, the staff were perfectly pleasant and the room was still lovely (the Loft), but the amenities have been strangled to within an inch of their lives, and for the increased prices, which were super high to begin with, it simply is not worth it anymore.
Their claim is that each guest is "treated like a celebrity" or something along those lines. Back in the day, definitely. Today? Nope.
Previously: A limo ride was INCLUDED with the room and would pick you up at the airport with bottles of water, etc. They stopped that service sometime in the past two years, I believe. Apparently if you book the most expensive suite, you still get the limo ride, but for everyone else paying an arm and a leg, Nada.
*Previously: Breakfast would last for a couple-ish hours each morning, with an attendant serving HOT food and sandwiches, pastries, and an abundance of fruit. Fresh coffee, fresh cream for the coffee, and free mimosas! Wow, what a celebrity-feeling that used to bring! Now? Uh... at 8 a.m. on the dot, they put out a tiny assortment of crummy pastries, a bit of fruit, and you and have to obtain an engineering degree to operate the 'new, state of the art coffee machine' they stuck in there with crappy fake creamer in place of the fresher options. No more personal treatment, no more feeling special and like you're getting something WORTH the exorbitant cost of the rooms. And the complimentary mimosas they were known for in the past? GONE.
Also, now instead of having fresh food going for a couple hours each morning, they put out one measly spread and that's it! So you'd better get your butt in there at 8a.m. on the dot or you'll miss out.
*Previously: Each time we entered our room and it had been serviced, we would find a small dish of fancy schmancy chocolates or exotic fruits on one of the counters. Now? NOTHING. Absolutely just a room-that is all.
*Previously: Fruit was provided in the lounge almost 24/7, and we delighted in grabbing a banana or some grapes at odd hours with a bottle of water. Now? There are still bottles of water, but no more fruit. So forget about the nice healthy snack.
*Previously: Each afternoon, there was a 'happy hour' setup that included hot snacks like chicken skewers, Ceviche, etc., and an attendant serving beverages and making sure you were happy. Now? At 1p.m., they put out a tray of about 20-30 mediocre cookies from the Creamery next door. Boo. What a downgrade. Again, get in there within the hour or they'll all be gone since they don't get restocked.
Now that I've explained why my husband and I will now be staying elsewhere for the lounge experience in the future, I will say that there are still some pluses to Hotel32.
1) The rooms are waaaaaaay way way way waaaaaaaaaaaaay better than those you'd find downstairs inside the decrepit Monte Carlo portion of the hotel. Seriously, even the tiniest room at Hotel32 is better than the suite my friends stayed in downstairs for their honeymoon.
2) There is still coffee (from that intimidating contraption), water bottles, and soda available in the lounge, free for the taking. Or, shall I say, 'included' in the price of the room.
3) Joel is very nice and helpful. As is Dawn. And the maid staff. All perfectly friendly and helpful. We miss Oscar from the lounge, though.
4) The hotel is 'boutique' and does feel and appear very upscale. If you don't care about the amenities too much, and you have the money to spend, then I would definitely recommend staying on the 32nd floor.
A first time user of this hotel would have no idea that they're missing anything, honestly. I'm fortunate that I got to utilize this venue when it was really something to write home about. :)
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