My mother and I planned a trip to the Ballantyne in Charlotte to celebrate her 60th birthday and have some 'girl' time away from the husbands and enjoy the spa on location. We have both traveled extensively throughout Europe and Carribean and my husband and I enjoy finding unusual 3 - 5 star hotels to try when we travel.
The Ballantyne was a disappointment.
We left a day early as we didn't feel it had much more to offer after the first 48 hours, we weren't sleeping well in the small room with the hall noise and our $248 a night room was falling apart on us! :oP (more on that later!)
EXTRAS YOU WILL PAY FOR:
Some of our disappointment was our own doing - we are so used to things like internet, coffee makers, microwaves and refrigerators being INCLUDED in a hotel that we forgot that some US high-priced properties either do not provide these services or charge a fee. If we had noticed the 'omissions' of these items in the room description we would have been better prepared. Our room (a grand deluxe) had only the mini-bar fridge with the sensors in it so if you accidentally move anything you have to immediately let them know you are not purchasing the item. No room in there for even one of the complimentary water bottles. No microwave, no coffee maker. A 3 cup portion of coffee could be delivered to your room for $6.50 plus $2.50 delivery fee and 20% gratuity. WIRED internet was $9.95 for 24 hours and WIRELESS was $12.95.
THE ROOM:
The room was quite small compared to other hotels of this level; again we just didn't pay attention to the 400 sqft. description - we are so accustomed to wide open rooms in the nicer hotels.
- Our package 'included' continental breakfast but it was actually a $15 per person credit to be used at the bar or restaurant towards the menu items from each area.
- We asked for a 'quiet' room both when we made the reservation and again at check-in and were put DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM THE MAID STATION & SERVICE ELEVATOR. Unpleasant and noisy well before 8am which I consider to be a reasonable time to still expect quiet from the staff.
- Two drawers in our dresser were broken - one would not close or open properly even with our taking it out and trying to reset it on it's tracks and the bottom drawer finally froze completely in the open position the second day.
- The second morning my mom stretched her arms as she was waking up (she weighs all of 125 lbs), touched the headboard and the entire bed post came off one side of the bed and crashed into the nightstand between us. If the nightstand had not been there, I would have had quite the headache! The post was VERY heavy.
We mentioned both the drawers AND the post to the desk 3 separate times and were told 'sorry'. No offer to fix it even when we said we were checking out a day early!
SPA:
- The spa was decent but business-like. We both received pedicures and Mom went for a facial and massage. All were performed appropriately and the women who did our pedicures were very nice but overall there was a lack of personalization to the treatments we have come to expect from upper level establishments.
POOL AND FITNESS AREA:
Decent all around. Clean locker room with two showers, small but adequate fitness area, sauna, pool, hot tub and two lap pools. Mom worked out both mornings and did the water aerobics class ($10). We both used the (dry) sauna and the hot tub the first night and enjoyed those.
FOOD:
The food is excellent. We ate dinner in the bar one evening and the portions are large and delicious. Everything is fresh and home-made. We ate breakfast in the bar one morning and the Gallery restaurant the next . The bar was typical continental fare and the Gallery was eggs, pancakes and a la carte. The portions were such in the Gallery that neither of us could finish! We did not eat dinner in the Gallery but was told that the portions were much smaller. The dinner prices were all ~$25-$35 an entree.
We also had the Tea service in the Lobby prior to leaving ($26.95) which was delicious but very small portions as you are definitely paying for the experience rather than the food. Would be a nice idea for girlfriends to meet and experience for an afternoon to chat but really not worth the price for JUST the experience especially if you have ever done a traditional English Tea service before.
OTHER:
The concierge was quite nice and has great maps and info on Charlotte - I highly recommend you see them early in your stay! The cleaning staff and bell staff were friendly and excellent.
CHARLOTTE:
Check out the Mint Museum on Randolph St (there is more than one so be sure it is that location). EXCELLENT museum with so much to see we had to stop to go get dinner after a couple hours! Free on Tuesday evenings too! Avoid the Bechtler Museum unless you need to blow 20 minutes and $8 ALTHOUGH their cafe was excellent!! AMAZING bread on the mediterranean sandwich!
Overall The Ballantyne seems to be a good place to hold business meetings and conferences but NOT someplace I would recommend for leisure or relaxation. Find some cheap airfare and go stay in a 5 star ALL-INCLUSIVE in the Carribean for the same price.
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