Doubletree is tops

This is a remodeled building on the outskirts of downtown Pittsburgh. The rooms are first class with the best matresses and pillows I have ever seen. The loby is newly remodeled as well as the restaurant and exterior.

In addition they have an excellent health club and spa that people who don't stay in the hotel pay to join.

This is a top knotch property.

As a native, I am more than disappointed

As a native of the city of Pittsburgh, I cringe to think that the Ramada (soon to be DoubleTree) which is located in the heart of the city is a representation of home. The rating that I would give is disappointing at best and borderline awful at most. The floor on which our room was located was under construction (as was the entire hotel) and our non-smoking room was on the half of the floor completely covered with plastic tarp and dust. We were forewarned of the hotel construction but not that we would be in the midst of it as it seemed every other room on that end was being worked on. The front desk staff was indifferent, non-personable, unhelpful, and only one person wore a name tag. The room was average with all of the furniture on one side. The maid service gave fresh towels but not fresh sheets. And yes, there must be a shortage of soap somewhere because we were not given a fresh bar. The energy saving slot on the wall beside the door, where you place your key card to access some lights and the air conditioner was the nice touch. The 7-11 located around the corner had a worker who was more cheerful and welcoming than those encountered at the hotel during our stay. The valet parking attendants were also a great bunch of guys, offering smiles and cheerful small talk and made the stay more tolerable. I come home to Pgh. several times every year but will not revisit the Ramada (DoubleTree).

Great location--but construction!!

Reserved a room at the Ramada since it was next door to Mellon Arena and we were going to a concert there. Was not aware of the construction. Didnt really bother us until I realized they were next door pounding away. It did not affect us too bad because we were hardly in the room. However, why would you put people next to a room with construction is beyond me. Also, main restaurant was closed which stunk because we were starving so we had to walk a ways to find a place. No big deal. Great location just wasnt happy about the construction going on next door.

Ramada - Great Hotel

Just returned from a 3 day trip in Pittsburgh. We stayed at the Ramda Plaza Suites which by summer will become the Doubletree Hotel.

We had one of the newly renovated rooms. Very spacious and comfortable. Restaurant and Lounge were closed due to renovations, but because of this we got a discounted price.

Downtown amidst the beautiful Pittsburgh highrises. Right across from the T-Rail which took us right to Station Square.

The shuttle was very convenient to go to the strip district and while we did not have time, they also will go to the South Side or take you to the bridge to walk across to North Shore.

Staff was very pleasant. Especially the bellman (I am sorry I did not get his name) and Jamie the shuttle driver.

Will definitely stay there again (if I can afford it, when it becomes Doubletree I am sure the rates will be rising). We only paid $79.00 a night which was very reasonable. If you want to sleep in late though, this is not the place to stay while the construction is going on, but we loved having the lower rates.

All in all a very pleasurable trip even though the Pirates lost the home opener that we attended.

Horrible -- Bad Room, Bad Customer Service

The "suite" that we received was grubby. The comforters and blankets were soiled. The grout in the tile floor of the bathroom was black with dirt and/or mold. There was even dust on the dressers.

The only thing that made the "suite" a suite was the kitchenette, also not very clean.

The customer service was just as bad. We had to request fresh sheets every day. The sheets were always handed over to us, and we were left to make up a fresh bed ourselves. The front desk staff was split. A few were very responsive. But most were at best indifferent and, at worst, hostile.

The decor included an offensive grass green carpet and walls made up of some kind of weird material that one would associate with offices and cubicles.

This was a horrible way to spend a vacation. Needless to say, I will not stay at this hotel again.

Nice place, Good value

We recently stayed at this Ramada with great results. The parking is $12.00 per night but is at the hotel, you can come and go as you please, and attendants are very nice. We went to two ballgames. The ballpark is about a mile away but they have a free shuttle service that runs within a 3 mile radius of the hotel until 10:00 pm. The subway stop is just across the street from the hotel and goes to about 3 blocks from the bridge to the ballpark. We got there about 1 o'clock but were allowed to check- in early. The 7/11 in the hotel is very convenient. The restaurant looked nice but we didn't eat there. The rooms were clean and very nice.This is a good location and good value and if I go back to Pittsburgh this would be my first choice.

Budget hotel quality at non-budget prices

I booked my room at the Ramada Plaza through Expedia for 4 nights. I wanted a convenient 4-day weekend getaway to Pittsburgh for the family. We'd never been, it is only 3 hours from Columbus, and has a lot to experience.

The room with 2 double beds was average. Nothing special. The kitchenette was handy to have if for no other reason, the fridge. I was disappointed with the cleaning service. The sign in the room indicated that linens would be changed daily unless you indicated it wouldn't be necessary. This was not true. One of the kids had an "accident" overnight, and the maid made the bed up over pee-stained sheets. I ended up changing them myself that evening. The drinking glasses simply got rinsed out and turned over to dry. I had to ask for clean glasses. Soap and shampoo was provided; no other amenities in the room. The TV and clock radio in the room were virtually antiques. Not modern but served their purpose. Overall, the room reminded me of one of those "off the highway exit ramp" hotels you stop at in the middle of the night.

The fitness center and pool was decent but cost $5/day per person. I was told that kids under 18 were not permitted to use the equipment. This is not posted anywhere. There IS a sign that states those under 18 must be with an adult.

Attached 7-11 is handy, however they do not sell alcohol of any kind. :-(

I did not eat at the hotel restaurant, The Ruddy Duck, but it seemed to have good turnout every night.

Parking service was $12/day, but was very effecient and allowed for unlimited in/out trips per day.

I don't plan to return to Pittsburgh in the near future, but if/when I do, I do not plan on staying at the Ramada Plaza.

Perfect Getaway

The corner suite room we had in April was fantastic. Hotel was convenient to subway and within walking distance of many downtown attractions.

Large rooms. convenient kitchenettes

Requested 2 adjoining rooms, and was pleasantly surprised by the size of the queen suite with pull-out sofa bed in the sitting area. The adjoining double was much less spacious, but both had a very convenient kitchette area, great for families. On the down side, the beds were very average, not as "heavenly" as the Westin, but certainly not the worst. A 7-11 convenience store on the lobby level was a great source for snacks, breakfast fixings, etc. The health club and pool were both very posh. The area is downtown, within minutes of the Oakland area, and pretty quiet. We didn't hear much street noise at all. I would certainly stay there again.

Not all it's made out to be

The suites are nice but the regular rooms are very small. The pool is housed in the fitness area and has a 15 person limit. The fitness area holds classes in the pool so you can't use it at some times and the fitness room is privately owned and cost.