Aloft Cleveland Downtown

A spirited and hip design permeates the public spaces of this stylish hotel. The outside plaza has several clusters of multicolored benches and chairs that overlook Lake Erie and brick warehouses. Once inside, the expansive lobby area has a distinctive industrial feel, with exposed ductwork and polished concrete floors. Numerous clusters of brightly colored, ultra-modern furniture invite guests to linger, and a long wood table with media plug-ins gives guests a spot to hook up their laptops. The circular reception desk is brightly back-lit in a green pattern and sits in the middle of the room under a circular chandelier emitting an orange glow. The bar and lounge areas continue the look with splashes of color, neon lights, and contemporary art. These are popular places to see and be seen, especially on weekends when DJs kick off a party scene in the nightclub. As expected, the atmosphere draws a young crowd hitting the bar and dining at the upscale restaurants adjoining the hotel. 

The Aloft is located in Cleveland’s Warehouse District, surrounded by industrial complexes, train tracks, and shipping ports where the Cuyahoga River runs into Lake Erie. Also known as the East Bank of the Flats, the area has a cluster of nightclubs and restaurants that are a few minutes’ walk from the hotel. Large residential developments also are under construction in this up-and-coming area. Three upscale restaurants adjoin the hotel. Otherwise, it’s somewhat isolated, approximately one mile from Public Square and other downtown core Cleveland attractions such as Quickens Loan Arena and Progressive Field, both of which take about 25 minutes walking. First Energy Field and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame take about 15 to 20 minutes walking or five minutes by car. The hotel compensates for its downtown-outskirts location by operating a free shuttle within a five-mile radius, though it's not 24 hours. It also offers shuttle service (for a fee) to the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, which is 20 to 25 minutes away depending on traffic. The Cleveland Convention Center is a 13-minute walk, and the Cleveland State University campus is a 10-minute drive. The Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University are a 15- to 20-minute drive, depending on traffic, as are the cultural institutions near them such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Cleveland Botanical Garden.    

The modern and hip decor continues in guest rooms, although they're somewhat less punchy in their color scheme. Various shades of gray and blue dominate the walls, drapes, and patterned carpet. Streamlined blond-wood furniture includes desks with media plugs, nightstands, and headboards. Rooms are colorful but sparsely decorated with beds resting on black, low-profile platforms. There are leather office chairs and small benches for seating. Bathrooms are spacious, with dark gray tile floors, lighter gray walls, and white tile framing walk-in showers with clear glass doors and wall-mounted shampoo and soap dispensers. All rooms have mini-fridges, safes, coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs with media-device connectivity, free Wi-Fi and bottled water. Guests complain of a lack of drawers, and of significant noise from passing freight trains in lake view rooms facing the adjacent train tracks. Also, music from the nightclub can be heard in rooms directly above it. Rooms come in king and two-queen options and typically include several windows, with lake view or city view options. 

The Aloft offers self-parking and valet in an attached garage, but both are a bit expensive for a hotel outside of downtown's core. The hotel operates a free shuttle within a five-mile radius, and offers shuttle service to the airport for a fee. Three upscale restaurants adjoin the hotel on the street level. There's also a 24-hour pantry with sundries, snacks, sandwiches, coffee, fruit, microwaveable entrees, soft drinks, and other beverages. And room service is available as well. The on-site nightclub and bar is a popular scene, especially on weekends when DJs take over the turntables. The hotel has a small fitness center with cardio and weight-training equipment, and it offers free passes to the adjoining EB Fitness complex that has a wide range of exercise equipment as well as various classes including, yoga, Zumba, and Pilates. EB Fitness also has sauna and steam rooms and offers spa services such as facials and massage. There are five meeting rooms including a ballroom capable of accommodating up to 250 people. The outdoor plaza can host an event for 500 people as well. The business center has two computers stations, free printing, and Internet access. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the property. Concierge and dry cleaning/laundry pick-up services are available. Guests can also make use of the coin-operated laundry facilities and on-site ATM. Pets are welcome without a fee.