The Blu Hotel, Blue Ash - Cincinnati

We stayed there about 10 days ago. Our group rented 6 rooms, some of them for 6 nights. Here was the experience critique that I sent to the person who helped book the group reservation 3 days ago that received no response. I booked the reservation in my name on my credit card on my Choice reward account. A family member checked in the day before we arrived and provided a credit card upon check-in. Her card was charged the full amount and I had to reimburse her. The door lock on 305 needs to be fixed. With both cards it took anywhere between 1 and 7 tries to unlock the door. There is too much humidity everywhere. The building smells musty, the room even more, and the air conditioner even more so. The elevator shaft had draining water down the outside of it one morning. Towels in the room never got fully dry. The air conditioner filter needs to be replaced. The air coming out smells and it never fully turns off. The exit from the pool back to the hotel doesn't unlock on the NE corner of the building. I tried my card 10 times. Hand towels were a mystery. Some days they were pulled and replaced and some days they were just pulled. We contacted the front desk and none were available. We had to use a washcloth as a hand towel. Breakfast is average. My mother-in-law reported no butter one morning. Multiple mornings there was only plain yogurt. Multiple days requests had to be made to get any fresh fruit replaced. The receipt for our room was given to my mother-in-law and I was given another copy from the staff. One of your emails referred to the incorrect name of the group. The tax amount on the original reservation did not match the amount that was paid. There was about a $50 difference. Each of these are little items, but added up they were annoying. Your front desk staff was there sometimes and not there on others. We heard the phone just ring and ring during breakfast or while waiting for others in the lobby. You asked for my Choice Privileges information when I booked the reservation, but then on the receipt it said because of the "special rate" that any rewards could not be earned. For spending over $1,100 with your company we feel short changed not getting any credit for the stay, Looking at some of the other reviews I am not surprised we had the experience that we did. You need more maintenance and cleaning staff. Shut the place down for a month and give it the attention that it needs before renting rooms out to others.

Service was probably the nicest I've experienced at a hotel and I booked by calling the front desk which went very pleasantly. Rooms were modest with almost too much of that hotel cleaner smell. Slept past breakfast so can't say much about it. Bed was surprisingly very comfy (for a hotel bed and personally not liking most hotel beds)

Aisha and the other lady who works nights were welcoming and accommodating for my stay here. The hotel is well kept for its own independent hotel representing Blue Ash. The rooms were well clean, very spacious, the bed was comfortable with clean linens. The couch had a fold out bed and the TV had spectrum cable. The bathroom had 2 areas which both could be closed off by its own separate doors. AC unit really kept the room cool in hot weather it didn't make to much noise and had clean filter. The hotel furniture was a little dated but it's still better maintained than other hotels I seen. The atrium has paintings that can be bought, they have fitness room with laundry and the pool is outdoors. They have a waffle maker for breakfast, a hot cart with omlettes, potatoes, and cut sausage with the usual cereal, juice, coffee, bread area. It's 5 minutes away from Summit Park and downtown Blue Ash, located off of 275 and 20 minutes from Cincinnati. I would stay here again.