An excellent first experience

I was involved in a Marriage Retreat Feb 13-14 2004, through my church.

I stayed at this hotel for two nights. The ambience of the hotel was so scerene. The staff was very cordial. The rooms were immaculate and our view of the water at night was breath-taking. The food was very well prepared and made pleasing to the palate. My room service for my meals were on time and delicious. My food was hot and so was my beverage. Our seminar conference rooms were very nice and each table was very well set-up, which included clean linen, glasses and a pitcher of fresh ice-cold water and a minty treat for the palate. I have never been so impressed by a hotel and I have been in some of the best. The pool area and exercise room was just what the doctor ordered (Smile). There was a ferry service to take you over to Norfolk for your entertainment pleasures. You could go sight-seeing or just relax in pure comfort. I read the previous reviews of this hotel both positive and negative.

Personally, I feel that you must try it for yourself before being influenced either way. If I could rate this hotel it would be without a shadow of a doubt A TEN STAR**********. As my pastor said the whole experience was off the chain....I would highly recommend this hotel for all functions of any kind.

Loved it, twice!

I have stayed at the Portsmouth Renaissance on two occassions, once with a conference and once for fun and to attend a concert. Both times were great. The very first stay was right after they opened and a few things were missing from the room (ice bucket etc.), nothing major and the staff jumped on it right away. The second time we were there was to attend a concert at the nearby (walking distance) ampitheater. We had a great time. The hotel is beautiful and the staff couldn't be nicer. I highly recommend the hotel.

Mostly excellent

The rooms were excellent and included wide band (for a fee). The staff was consistently quite helpful and friendly. Room service was prompt. The restaurant's food menu was a bit limited but reasonably good. Parking was $8/night. Although it had bad reviews a couple of years ago, the Renaissance is now operating very well.

Broken Promises

Why wont they do what they promised?

This hotel just refuses to deliver on basic services. If you need a manager just look in the bar!

Fairly nice hotel

I have stayed in this hotel twice and have enjoyed each stay. First, I have had no problems with the staff. On my second check-in, the attendant remembered me from my first stay. That little bit of recognition is hard to come by at my young age. Second, about the parking. Yes, it is not directly connected to the hotel and you have to pay. You are staying at downtown hotel and you will pay (but the rate is better than places like Arlington/Crystal City near DC). These other Virginians giving reviews should know that you will have to pay for parking. As for the walk, the exercise is good for you (buy a suitcase with wheels!) and the lobby is well worth looking at (the old pictures of Portsmouth are interesting). Well worth the price, especially during the weekend for Marriott Reward members. Wilmington, NC city council only wishes for such a hotel in our downtown!

Is this a Marriott???

Many issues with staff and quality of service delivered. Staff said " yes - thats been a problem" and "thansk for your comment".

They also cite "saftey concerns" about going out of hotel and suggest eating in hotel for about double the price and three times the wait.

I wont be back - sorry

A sorry excuse for a hotel

Hi, Our group booked our convention here before it was opened. They had been open a year before we were there. Where to start? Layout stinks. A 100 yard walk to the elevator. No connection from parking, you have to pay for, to the main hotel. YES you have to pay to park at the $199 a night room. Food.....Had better at the $5.99 buffet. Service slow to non-responsive. Promises made were not honored. All in all I would not recommend this place to anyone PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!

Great value - $ 29.95 a night

This is almost as good as Holiday Inn. They were full so we stayed here. Only gripe is the $25.00 parking bill.

When will the opening be complete?

Still doesnt have the bugs worked out yet. Systems are not operational and advertised services "not yet available" - call me when you get it right!

The ownership "just doesnt get it"

Wake Up and Fix This !

Got a free weekend because of previous problems -

* Roof still leaks

* Took 3 hours to get dinner in restaurant

* Parking garage is out of control

* Bartenders are great !

* Staff is trying to do thier best