Crowne Plaza Hotels in Pittsburgh

Based on my recent stay at Crowne Plaza Suites Pittsburgh South, I am conflicted about this rating. It might be more accurate at four stars for service, three stars for the hotel itself. Here’s why. About four stars for service . . . When I initially called the hotel or additional information after checking out their website, a front desk representative named Nico was extremely helpful. He took the time to provide details, listened to my specific needs and set up an appropriate reservation for me at a decent price. Good start! Upon my evening arrival, I found that the room included everything we had discussed. Many thanks to Nico for his assistance. Other front desk staff members were helpful during the stay. The name Kayla sticks in my mind. (No one asked me to write this review or mention names.) The three stars? A very average room in need of an update, difficult climate control, a worn mattress, cumbersome pillows, and a previously disclosed lack of food service. They also only do housekeeping twice a week. Clean towels are available upon request. Don’t get hungry here on a Monday or Tuesday, when the onsite restaurant is closed. Even when dining reopened on Wednesday morning, only a continental breakfast buffet (carb central!) was available. My guess? Staff shortages and/or no profitability. I wasn’t there later in the day. There is a tiny store in the lobby for a few packaged snacks and beverages. The hotel is centrally located for anyone visiting Bethel Park or Upper Saint Clair, with plenty of shopping and restaurants nearby. The room had adequate space with a decent TV. A little card listed all the channels. The inexpensive, thin carpeting was worn. Chairs had old, spotted upholstery. The room itself was clean, with the usual appointments. The mattress edges had been weakened over time, making it easy to slip off when sitting on the side of the bed. Have you ever seen the huge, poly-fill pillows used in some hotels, the ones that look good on the fully-made bed but are too bulky to sleep on comfortably? Yup, those pillows. Enough said. Climate control in the room was accessed through a thermostat on the wall rather than the unit itself . . . with confusing buttons and no instructions. It was either too warm in the room or freezing. In addition, the air flow from the unit curled refrigerated air toward the ceiling, down the opposite wall and then straight onto the bed. Would I stay there again? Maybe, but only for a fully updated room at a good price. Advice: bring your own pillows.