Ghosts of Statler at the Omni William Penn
Written: Oct 04 '01 (Updated Feb 01 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Big, solid 1920's hotel-well kept and efficient
Cons: See your room first-some are very small
The Bottom Line: The William Penn is THE grand old hotel in Pittsburgh and deserves your patronage. It offers more character than any other hotel in town.
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| tombarnes's Full Review: Omni William Penn |
The William Penn (it is now the Omni William Penn-Westin has taken over the former Doubletree)is traditionally the best in Pittsburgh. It has been spruced up recently and should meet all of your needs.
Lobby and Public Rooms
The William Penn was built in the 1920's as a Statler affiliate hotel. Like its brethren, it is a solid old place, built like a tank. The lobby and Palm Court are grand spaces of the sort they just don't build any more. Service is generally good, but can seem rushed if there is a convention in the house. At times, some of the public rooms can seem ghostly and deserted. Maybe it's just that it was January when I visited and the temperature had driven everyone away.
Dining
The Terrace Room is so grand and imposing that you are happy to pay $22 for breakfast just to sit there. The food was good enough and the service was swift and professional. I did not try it for other meals (perhaps I should have-Pittsburgh's downtown does not offer much in the way of great restaurants), but would imagine that this would be as good as anything else you could find here. Their dinner menu is vaguely French, in a Monongahela Valley sort of way. The Palm Court offers an afternoon tea that is as civilized as you will find anywhere. The Tap Room is a dark temple of gloom just off the lobby. At least it was when I visited. I was the sole occupant of the place-odd when one considers that the hotel was over half full at the time. maybe there was a temperance conference.....One could easily do without the Bruegger's Bagels and the Starbucks that have invaded the place (is this a hotel or a Food Court?). I suppose they must serve a purpose.
Rooms
My room was reasonably large (though rather long and narrow-it was some kind of a studio/suite room) and had somber, straightforward furniture and dark fabrics that needed updating. Everything was neat and well maintained, just without an ounce of excitement (but who goes to Pittsburgh for excitement anyway?). The bath was fresh and clean, but did not hold any surprises. The nicest rooms I saw were the front corner rooms and suites. Be sure to ask for one of these. They are considerably larger and have more light. As of this writing, 596 of the rooms are open, while the upper floors are undergoing restoration. Interestingly, the top floors were closed during World War II and have not been used since. The hotel has been busy refurbishing the rooms and hallways for the past six years.
Recreation
There is no pool, but you will find a fitness room with fairly new equipment.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
tombarnes
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 - Top 200 |
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Member: Thomas Barnes
Location: Fort Lauderdale & Washington, DC
Reviews written: 688
Trusted by: 444 members
About Me:
With Barbara in Miami, 2004
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