Hotel Paso Del Norte, Autograph Collection

Hotel Paso Del Norte, an Autograph Collection property in El Paso, United States, generally receives positive reviews, lauded for its historic charm, opulent design, and prime downtown location. While it boasts a strong overall sentiment, some guests have noted areas for improvement, particularly concerning certain aspects of service and dining.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The Hotel Paso Del Norte generally garners an "Excellent" sentiment among guests. On Marriott's own platform, it holds an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on over 1400 reviews. Other aggregators show similar positive feedback, with Trivago scoring it 8.9 out of 10. Guests frequently appreciate its cleanliness and central location. However, some reviews mention issues with service and perceive the prices to be high for the quality. It's important to note that while the prompt mentioned it as a "Michelin Key Selected property," current search results indicate that the nearby Plaza Hotel in downtown El Paso was awarded a Michelin One Key.

2. Key Highlights

Guests are consistently impressed by the hotel's blend of historic elegance and modern luxury.

• Design & Ambiance: The hotel is celebrated as a historic 1912 gem with opulent decor and beautiful furnishings throughout the lobby, the iconic Dome Bar, and the second-floor gallery. Rooms reflect a Southwest-El Paso ambiance with thoughtful accents, including a striking floor-to-ceiling map behind the headboard.
• Location: Its downtown El Paso location is a major draw, offering easy access to key attractions like the Abraham Chavez Theatre, El Paso Museum of Art, San Jacinto Plaza, and various shopping and dining options.
• Amenities: The rooftop pool, offering exceptional views of downtown and the surrounding desert mountains, is a particular highlight for many. The hotel also features a luxurious spa offering massages, body treatments, and facials, as well as a 24-hour fitness center. Complimentary Wi-Fi and an airport shuttle are also appreciated amenities.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Hotel Paso Del Norte are generally described as spacious, clean, and well-appointed, providing a comfortable stay. Guests frequently praise the comfort and size of the beds, with specific mentions of "super comfy king bed rooms" and "melt into dreams feather pillows." Each of the 351 guestrooms is equipped with modern amenities such as refrigerators, LCD televisions, and complimentary wireless internet. Private bathrooms come with designer toiletries and hair dryers. Reviewers also appreciate practical features like work desks and readily available outlets and USB ports, though one instance noted a non-functional USB port. For those seeking more expansive accommodations, the hotel offers two-bedroom suites, including the El Paso, Governor's, and Presidential Suites, ranging from 126 to 198 square meters.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel offers a diverse dining landscape with two restaurants, three bars/lounges, and a café.

• Sabor: This restaurant features Mexican cuisine with an eclectic fusion of Southwest Texas and Southern comfort foods, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The breakfast buffet, including an omelette station and pastries, has been highly praised as "outstanding" by some guests. However, some guests have expressed disappointment with their dining experiences at Sabor.
• 1700°: For a more upscale experience, 1700° offers a fine dining steakhouse with a West Texas flair and an elaborate international menu.
• El Mirador Rooftop Bar: Located on the 10th floor, this chic venue provides breathtaking views of downtown El Paso alongside craft cocktails and gourmet bites. It also holds historical significance, once being a spot where people could watch firefights.
• Dulce: A bakery café and gelateria, Dulce provides barista-quality coffees, fresh baked goods, pre-made salads, sandwiches, and house-made gelato. Local cuisine breakfasts are available daily for a fee, typically ranging from $12 to $18 per person, with options including American, buffet, vegetarian, and vegan choices.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback on service and staff is largely positive, with many reviewers commending the team's friendliness, helpfulness, and accommodating nature. Agoda's perfect 10.0 rating for staff performance highlights a consistently outstanding experience for many. Marriott's internal reviews also show a strong 4.5 out of 5 for service and staff. However, some guests have reported service issues, particularly concerning room assignments, with one instance of being charged for a premium room but receiving a standard one. Valet parking has also been a point of contention, with complaints about the service being challenging when retrieving items and a higher-than-expected cost. One guest reported finding mud and dirt inside their car after valet service.

6. Location & Accessibility

Hotel Paso Del Norte's central downtown El Paso location is a significant advantage. It provides convenient access to a multitude of the city's top attractions, dining establishments, and shopping districts. Specifically, it is steps away from the El Paso Museum of Art and within a five-minute drive of the University of Texas at El Paso and the Paso del Norte International Bridge. The hotel is approximately 6.2 miles from El Paso International Airport and offers a complimentary airport shuttle service upon request. Guests also note its proximity to other highly-rated hotels, such as The Plaza Hotel, which is located across the street.

7. Value & Pricing

While some guests perceive the hotel's pricing to be high for the quality offered, many others find it to be a good value, especially considering its luxury and amenities. Agoda, for example, gives it a perfect 10.0 rating for value, noting the "exceptional quality and service... for the price they pay." Average room prices hover around $228, which is higher than the city's average of $152, but justified by the hotel's offerings. Kayak shows rates starting from $162, with average weeknight prices around $249 and weekend nights at $222. February is noted as the cheapest month to stay, while December is the most expensive. One reviewer considered a nightly rate of $175 with $25 valet parking to be "very reasonable" for an exceptional hotel and a "steal" for a Marriott Bonvoy Category Four property using points.

8. Common Complaints

Despite the generally positive feedback, several recurring issues have been noted by guests:

• Service Inconsistencies: Complaints include issues with room assignments and occasionally unsatisfactory restaurant experiences.
• Valet Parking: The valet service receives criticism for being challenging when guests need to briefly access their vehicles and for its perceived high cost. A specific complaint involved a vehicle being returned with mud and dirt inside.
• Noise: Some guests have reported disturbances from air conditioning units and other guests. Additionally, there may be noise from ongoing construction at a neighboring building.
• Dining Quality: While some dining experiences are highly praised, there have been instances of guests finding the food at Sabor restaurant to be "horrible" or otherwise unsatisfactory.

Sources

1. marriott.com
2. booking.com
3. kayak.com
4. youtube.com
5. airial.travel
6. uponarriving.com
7. agoda.com
8. reservationdesk.com
9. hotels.com
10. hotelpdn.com
11. youtube.com
12. expedia.com
13. marriott.com