Embassy Suites Hotel North, Phoenix

...it was held at the Embassy Suites--Phoenix North location. Generally, it's harder for me to warm up to corporate hotels. They usually give courteous service, yet it is impersonal. The staff frequently lacks the pride of ownership an independently-run establishment does. Although the Phoenix North location is a big chain hotel with cookie-cutter decorated rooms, its amenities and perks make it stand out refreshingly different from others. Anyone who ...
...I also notice that Embassy Suites has three locations in this city--not to mention another three in nearby cities--making me wonder just how heavy the demand for professional hospitality is in this scorching hot region. The Phoenix North location falls in with the majority. It is a widely spread out formation of several buildings in a crescent-like formation. However, I have never stayed at another Embassy Suites and am told this one is unique to ... more

All right, I confess. I go to science fiction conventions. If I was going to Phoenix just to sightsee, I would have chosen a haunted hotel like the Hotel San Carlos, but I was invited to Leprecon 29 and it was held at the Embassy Suites--Phoenix North location. Generally, it's harder for me to warm up to corporate hotels. They usually give courteous service, yet it is impersonal. The staff frequently lacks the pride of ownership an independently-run establishment does. Although the Phoenix North location is a big chain hotel with cookie-cutter decorated rooms, its amenities and perks make it stand out refreshingly different from others. Anyone who expects to actually spend much time in a hotel he's staying at should have little problem relaxing in this one.

One of the things I notice about hotels in Phoenix, Arizona, is that few of them are single multi-level structures. I also notice that Embassy Suites has three locations in this city--not to mention another three in nearby cities--making me wonder just how heavy the demand for professional hospitality is in this scorching hot region. The Phoenix North location falls in with the majority. It is a widely spread out formation of several buildings in a crescent-like formation. However, I have never stayed at another Embassy Suites and am told this one is unique to the chain, which was established in 1983. It originally opened in 1987 as the Fountain Suites, then later became a Park Lane Hotel before Embassy Suites acquired it.

Before I forget everything this one offers, the following is quoted from their website:

"Conveniently located just off I-17 North (Black Canyon Highway), in the beautiful Valley of the Sun, and only 20 minutes from downtown Phoenix, Sky Harbor International Airport, Scottsdale, and the Peoria Stadium. The hotel is a resort style property situated on over 15 acres of land. Each of our 314 spacious suites are designed to provide the ultimate in comfort. Each suite includes a private bedroom and separate living area with sofabed. Enjoy the convenience of two televisions, two telephone lines with data port, wet bar, refrigerator, coffeemaker, microwave, hair-dryer, Neutrogena products, iron with board, and well-lit dining/work area. As always, Lafitte's Restaurant offers a complimentary full cooked to order breakfast each morning & nightly manager's reception with your favorite beverages in the lobby lounge. Lafitte's Restaurant serves authentic New Orleans food for lunch & dinner in an open garden setting. Enjoy one of the largest pools in Phoenix, separate children's pool, fitness center, whirlpool, & lighted tennis court. We offer free parking, National Car Rental desk, complimentary newspaper, gift shop, room service, guest laundry & valet dry-cleaning service. More than 15,000 square feet of versatile meeting facilities accommodating up to 400 people for meetings & 500 for receptions. Our experienced Sales & Catering Team are ready to assist you down to the last detail."

This was my second trip to this hotel and I stayed for two nights. Reserving the room was a breeze, and using the convention code, I received a good room rate. Opportunities to sample EVERYTHING the hotel had to offer never arose, but I'm happy to touch on those that I did.

Just one right turn off the Greenway ramp of Highway 17, it is convenient and easy to find. Unfortunately, miscalculating the time it took to drive up from Bisbee, I was running late on our arrival. My companion, Russell, had the honor of checking us in while I had to rush off to a panel as soon as I stepped out of our rented hatchback. He turned up at the end of my panel and said checkin went smoothly. He was even able to take the credit for his Southwest Airlines frequent flyer program. He gave me my cardkey and we took the lengthy walk to our room.

Embassy Suites is a chain that takes pride in every room being a suite. The Phoenix North location has a few that are slightly larger, but it's hard to believe anyone would have much complaint with the standard ones. They are decorated in southwest colors and kept clean with daily service. Ours was spacious with a sitting room and bedroom. Each room had its own TV, which was a nice feature when Russell and I wanted to watch different programs. I appreciated the convenience of having a wet bar, coffeemaker, refrigerator, and microwave, although the only dining implement the hotel provided were water glasses. (Those intending to take advantage of these features should pack some sort of flatware.)

The bathroom had two doors, one to open into each room. After missing a robe hook during my previous two night-stay at the Bisbee Grand Hotel, we had one here. The sink and counter were in the bedroom, providing plenty of space for us to spread out. Bolted to the wall was a hairdryer. Plenty of towels were supplied for our use.

The arrangement of the bedroom, however, made me wonder. We had a room with a king bed and one side was pushed against the wall. With two people using it, its position made it awkward for one of us (Russell) to get into. In addition, only one side of the bed was accommodated with an endtable. What's up with that? What if the second person wanted to read? Did anyone, besides the underappreciated chambermaid, notice this wee logistical problem?

The room rate at the Embassy Suites includes a full breakfast and free drinks at happy hour. Breakfast was served in the hotel's restaurant. Guests who show up between 7-10:30 a.m. just need to show staff their room keys and they can help themselves to the large buffet of breakfast food. After a disappointing breakfast experience with the hotel we stayed at in Bisbee, we were really looking forward to this quality spread provided in Phoenix. Embassy Suites gives its guests just about everything they expect for an American breakfast. The hot table offers scrambled eggs (with or without cheese), hash browns, sausage, bacon, and oatmeal. Guests can also find fruit; a variety of dry cereals; muffins, toast, and equivalents; and coffee, tea, juices, and milk. The chefs at the grill prepare omelettes and daily specials to order for guests. I am sure there are plenty of other items I missed, but this was a big hit with all of the Leprecon attendees who stayed at the hotel.

Between 5:30-7:30 p.m., we found many of Leprecon's attendees in the bar for happy hour. The hotel did have a two-drink limit per order with a guest's room key, but guests were allowed to make multiple trips. I was happy with my strawberry daiquiris. Regular margueritas, beer, and Coca-Cola was also heavily dispensed. This was another favorite with the convention members, and an easy place to find several writers.

One minor personal grievance with the hotel was the type of food the restaurant, Lafitte's, served. While attending a convention, people generally spend a lot time of time in the hotel where it's taking place. The food was well-prepared and the menu offered some interesting entrées and side dishes, but Cajun food is a cuisine I prefer to take in small doses. Those heavy hot spices are not something I can handle every day. I'm also rather confused by the garden seating the hotel claims it has. If it was there, I never saw it, and tables can be hard to find in the morning.

The best time of year to avoid Phoenix's harshest heat is November-April, although I found it reasonable in May. It was a bit too warm to lie out by the pool during the afternoon, but Russell and I ventured into the hot tub in the evening. It was quiet and pleasant. A few other guests joined us and there was plenty of room for all of us.

For anyone who is unfamiliar with speculative fiction conventions, one of the key differences between those that focus on genre instead of film media or comic books is that the attendees like to throw parties in their hotel rooms at night, usually opening them to the entire membership. Some of the hosts have a something to promote, while others may just want to meet people and socialize. For many members, this is the highlight of the convention. Wandering in and out of the rooms gives everyone an opportunity to meet and chat with others of similar interests in an encouraging environment. Still others "get lucky," but this activity is a goal few aggressively pursue. (Some of the crusty oldtimers in the community would even go as far to say that if you can't get laid at a Worldcon, then you can't get laid.) Leprecon is a small regional with a membership of 500+, but it had a few parties regardless. The Embassy Suites was an ideal setup for those who decided to host one of these parties. The refrigerator and microwave made it very convenient for those with food to prep.

Probably the biggest disadvantage was for people who have trouble walking. Attending a convention at this hotel required quite a bit of walking between the sleeping rooms and function space. Embassy Suites is up-to-date in its handicap accommodations, but it's easy to see how the long distances might still fatigue people who have physical problems moving around.

Leprecon moved to another hotel in 2005. When I talked to Mike Willmoth, the convention's hotel liaison, he said that the Embassy Suites' function space proved inadequate for some of the activities the concom wanted to have. I was a little sad, as the hotel was a huge part of what made this convention successful to me. It may be a corporate hotel, but its atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Some of the perks and spaciousness made up for the uniqueness of an independently-run establishment. I've only been to two Leprecons, yet it feels like dealing with two best friends who had a falling out. Be that as it may, the Phoenix North location is highly recommended.

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