Marriott Hotel Louisville (Kentucky)

Over a number of years I have had the opportunity to travel to Louisville for trade shows. I have, consequently, stayed in a number of downtown hotels. All are close to restaurants offering international cuisine, excellent service and lovely views. So, of the hotels I have enjoyed the Marriott offered the most value for about the same discounted ($120) price. The room was average size, but the bed was plush and comfortable to even my finicky back. The bathroom was beautiful and clean and contained all of the amenities expected in an upper average hotel. The restaurants served imaginative treats, the bar area was active and eye catching and the lobby is expansive. All in all, it was a treat to sit in one of the lobby areas or one of the restaurants and read the paper and watch interesting people pass by. What added so much to the visit was the staff. Most of the young people behind the check in counter were from other countries. One young woman, a "scouser," she said from Liverpool, explained the Marriott has a program that allows young hospitality workers from all over the world to work at various properties. Later, I struck up a conversation with a charming omelette cook with bright blond hair and a very German name from Argentina. She was as bright as her hair and showed honest kindness to everyone who came to her table, other staff included. There seemed to be a real affection and comraderie among the staff from hither and yon. That attitude added so much to the atmosphere of the hotel that I would love to find an excuse to revisit the hotel, lounge with a paper by the bar and admire the people and the architecture.