Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel

The Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel in Omaha, United States, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently earns high praise for its blend of historic charm and modern luxury, offering guests a memorable and upscale experience.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

The Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel generally receives excellent ratings and a highly positive sentiment from guests. It is frequently described as an "excellent property" and a "superb" hotel with a classic feel and contemporary vibes. Many guests express a strong desire to return, highlighting it as an exceptional place for relaxation and recharging.

Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud the hotel's friendly service, spacious and clean rooms, and its beautiful historic atmosphere. Key highlights include:

• Design & Ambiance: A tastefully restored historic building, originally the Blackstone Hotel from 1916, it exudes "Old Hollywood romance and indulgence" with original marble work, a French-inspired bistro, a chophouse, and a stylish bar. The interiors are bright and well-decorated, featuring local Nebraskan artwork throughout.
• Amenities: Standout amenities include a resort-quality seasonal outdoor pool, an outdoor hot tub, and a 24/7 fitness center. Guests appreciate the complimentary morning coffee in the lobby and a nightly happy hour with free wine. The hotel is also notably pet-friendly, offering special amenities for four-legged visitors.
• Unique Perks: Thoughtful touches like in-room yoga mats and umbrellas are provided.

Room Quality

The 205 guest rooms and suites are described as clean, welcoming, spacious, modern, and cozy. Guests particularly praise the "very comfy beds". Rooms feature beautiful linens, sumptuous duvets, designer fabric headboards, and tiled bathrooms stocked with Atelier Bloem toiletries. While layouts and sizes may vary due to the building's historic nature, many rooms boast walls of windows with downtown views, and a small number even include balconies. Mini-fridges are available in rooms, and the hotel offers an "On-Demand Family Fridge" program for breast milk storage.

Dining Experience

The Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel offers an "amazing dining experience" with outstanding service and food.

• The Orleans Room: This signature full-service restaurant provides a warm and inviting setting for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with brunch service on weekends. The menu is inspired by classic flavors with a modern twist, served in a beautifully restored space featuring locally curated artwork. It's known for dishes like Lobster Deviled Eggs and Steak Frites, and notably, the Reuben sandwich which originated in the hotel's previous incarnation. Complimentary coffee is available in the mornings.
• The Committee Chophouse: Located on the lower level, this is an award-winning steakhouse, recognized as Omaha's most romantic restaurant, perfect for fine dining and special celebrations.
• The Cottonwood Room: Tucked inside The Orleans Room, this dimly lit bar offers colorful cocktails and features a faux cottonwood tree sprouting from its center, paying homage to the hotel's history. It's open daily for happy hour, aperitifs, or nightcaps.
• Breakfast: The hotel offers à la carte or American breakfast options.
• Room Service: Currently, room service is not offered, but to-go orders are available for pickup or delivery to guest rooms.

Service & Staff

The hotel staff consistently receives high marks for being "incredibly nice and accommodating". Guests frequently highlight the friendly, helpful, and kind staff who show a commitment to making stays special through "thoughtful, personal touches". Valet service, in particular, is frequently praised as "outstanding".

Location & Accessibility

The Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel is ideally situated in Omaha's historic Blackstone District, described as one of the "hippest neighborhoods in the Midwest". This vibrant, walkable area offers immediate access to local dining, shopping, and entertainment. The hotel is just minutes from downtown Omaha, the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), and Mutual of Omaha. Nearby attractions include the Old Market, Midtown Crossing, Joslyn Art Museum, and Durham Museum. Eppley Airfield is easily accessible, approximately a 10-minute drive away. The hotel also offers complimentary bikes for exploring the city.

Value & Pricing

While the Kimpton Cottonwood is positioned as a luxury boutique hotel, it's often considered an "affordable luxury" option in Omaha. Room prices can vary significantly depending on the season, with KAYAK noting a range of $122-$256 in recent weeks. Expedia shows rates starting from around $147 for a one-night stay. Agoda reports an average price of $254 per room, which is higher than the city's average of $160, but Momondo suggests an average of $155/night, comparing favorably to other 4-star hotels in Omaha which average around $185/night. Guests generally feel it's worth the cost for the unique experience and amenities provided.

Common Complaints

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, some recurring issues and criticisms have been noted:

• Parking: Concerns about the cost and availability of parking have been mentioned, with valet parking costing around $30/night.
• Construction Noise: Some guests have reported issues with construction noise.
• Room Amenities (Specifics): While most rooms are well-regarded, some reviews have noted the absence of a pool or bathtub in specific rooms. There was also a comment about the hotel's website not clearly listing mini-fridges, though they were present.
• Dining Service: One specific review mentioned slow service and an unexciting vegan offering at The Orleans Room during a special event, suggesting room for improvement in staffing or preparation for such occasions.
• Room Service: The hotel explicitly states that it currently does not offer room service, although to-go orders are available.

Sources

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