While attending the KIN event in Holland Michigan this week, I had the pleasure of staying at the City Flats Hotel.
Its a funky place, mixing the vibe of a lounge like the W Hotels try for, and the sustainability ethos of your local community run organic food co-op.
Mixed reviews from all. A designer I hold in high regard said, “Its like they put the junior partner (architect/designer) on it, and he bought something from every vendor who came through the door during design phase.”
Another KIN attendee said, “I love that I can stay here and not feel like I am destroying resources.”
Hmm, so the aesthetic is a bit aspirational, but the concept is good.
From the hotel website, every room is different, but comes with:
-Cork Flooring - yep, mine had it and it was pleasant if not lush to walk on.
- iPod® Docking Clock/Radio - umm my room seemed to not have it, and the clock radio I did have was missing instructions, and despite being tech savvy, I couldn’t figure it out!
- IP Color Touch Screen Phones - in my book, HIGHLY overrated
- with Voicemail - does anyone use hotel voicemail these days???
- HDTVs with DIRECTV® - was NOT working properly in my room, I had to call the desk and be told that each chanel was off by one, and even then, it didnt function well
- Complimentary High-Speed, Secure Wireless Internet Access - yep, but not exactly high speed
- Custom Tile Walk-in Showers or - Deep Soaking Tubs - I had the shower, and it was HUGE and MAGNIFICENT, bring your friends to play!
-Dual Flush Toilets - very cool, depending on which button you depress, there is a low flow and a high flow!
- Platform Beds with CityDrem Mattresses - ok, the setup was wierd, the beds were back to back with a walk through aisle between them. That said, it is one of the most comfortable mattresses I have ever slept on!!!
- Hypoallergenic Bamboo Linens - very nice indeed!
- 10- to 13- Foot Ceilings - with cool finished concrete!
- Floor-to-Ceiling Windows - yep
- 350- to 450- Square-Foot Standard Rooms - really spacious indeed
- 830-Square-Foot Luxury Suites - apparently my budget doesn’t qualify for that
- 24-Hour Fitness Center - adequate, nothing special
The staff was good, but not great. Specifically, I was the guinea pig for a willing but poorly trained server in the restaurant. I also have to comment on the restaurant itself. It was another horrid case of a chef going for a genre, and overreaching. I imagine someone saying that the menu had to be in accordance with the design motif. Unfortunately, sometimes the customer doesn’t want a Tuscan flatbread with blah blah and aioli… Especially when its poorly executed! Come on folks, if you aren’t a great culinary institution, at least serve decent food at a reasonable price.
All in all, the City Flats Hotel gets a “C” great ideas, mediocre execution.
