Is this not a possibility for you?

EDWARD L. GAYLORD DOWNTOWN YMCA (http://www.ymcaokc.org/Locations/EDWARDLGAYLORDDOWNTOWN.aspx)

There are pools for exercising and pools for relaxing. I can't imagine catching a few rays of sunshine next to the Y pool in a comfy lounger with an ice cold beer or glass of wine while reading a book. (especially since the Y pool is inside)

and wine is plant based so would be right up BenJenn's alley :)

I agree about the garage. Something needs to be done with that monstrosity. And it would be very cool to have something done with the large parking lot down there.
When I use to work at Liberty Bank in the 1980's, I would park at a surface lot (because it was a lot cheaper) near the current location of the Loft Hotel and would walk to the bank around the end of the Santa Fe garage. It always reminded me of a massive classic 'city wall' from some ancient, or medieval City.

There are pools for exercising and pools for relaxing. I can't imagine catching a few rays of sunshine next to the Y pool in a comfy lounger with an ice cold beer or glass of wine while reading a book. (especially since the Y pool is inside)

Very true. I was just responding to the suggestion of not having access to a pool.

Strolled through the Aloft after the game Saturday night. Thought the interior was cool with a lot of concrete and glass and the overall layout was top notch. XYZ should be a hit with the area.

We were there Friday night. Saw a few local "celebrities". Great night!

These are from catch22.

Really love seeing the street in good shape and the sidewalks open... This area is turning into something special:



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aloft042114a.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aloft042114b.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aloft042114c.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aloft042114d.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aloft042114e.jpg

Wine is definitely right up our alley. :) And yeah, we're members at the Y but that is not the kind of pool I'll miss having this summer. :)

I love the 6th floor balcony / bar!! It was so cool that I had to take a selfie up there last week in front of the skyline. lol

There are pools for exercising and pools for relaxing. I can't imagine catching a few rays of sunshine next to the Y pool in a comfy lounger with an ice cold beer or glass of wine while reading a book. (especially since the Y pool is inside)

Ideally hotel pools would be big enough to do both. Morning swim versus afternoon chill.

We were there Friday night. Saw a few local "celebrities". Great night!

just curious, what makes one a local celebrity?

just curious, what makes one a local celebrity?

News personalities, local CEOs, anyone who is well known locally but not nationally... even short, handsome, bald djs. ;-p

just curious, what makes one a local celebrity?

Jesse Jane

OKC's most famous (infamous) barfly.

Anyone try the coffee bar?

Anyone try the coffee bar?

Is it open - and where? May just go tomorrow and try it out!

Is it open - and where? May just go tomorrow and try it out!

I think it's tucked away near the front doors on the east. Not sure if it's open, I just assumed so.

I think it's tucked away near the front doors on the east. Not sure if it's open, I just assumed so.

The area you're talking about is my last picture in post number 1253. That back wall opens up and they have someone there preparing breakfast orders in the morning. It is just south of the front doors on the east.

The area you're talking about is my last picture in post number 1253. That back wall opens up and they have someone there preparing breakfast orders in the morning. It is just south of the front doors on the east.

Oh, ok. I didn't get close enough to see it.

Talking to some friends in the restaurant business, it seems Jim Thompson isn't getting very far in his attempts to find an operator for the space on the far west end of the ground floor.

Apparently he wants high rent and also wants someone that will serve breakfast through dinner. Very few restaurants are willing to do this due to the time and effort involved in those constant, crazy long days.

I suspect they will have to become more flexible before they find a tenant.

Waffle House?

Waffle House?

Never a like button when you want one!!!

Laura Lieghe is having her album release party on the sixth floor tonight.

A member of the staff was telling us about KD saying he had let the city down but guaranteed that they would win the next two games. He then said KD gave him his autographed game shoes and showed the pictures to back it up. Mr. Unreliable my a$$!!!!

Laura Lieghe is having her album release party on the sixth floor tonight.

A friend of mine is turning 35 today and we're going out to Dollhouse tonight but first we're watching the game at the WXYZ Bar. Should be a pretty good environment!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

^^and a good environment it was. Tons of people there that night. We started out at the first floor bar but moved upstairs where you can look out the windows to the east just above the valet drive thru.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

7793

Had a few drinks there last night. Watched the game a bit then headed to watch the last of it at Deep Deuce Grill. There were so many people all over the Deep Deuce neighborhood last night; it was an amazing atmosphere.

Had a few drinks there last night. Watched the game a bit then headed to watch the last of it at Deep Deuce Grill. There were so many people all over the Deep Deuce neighborhood last night; it was an amazing atmosphere.

It's packed again tonight.

So how do you gain access to the 6th floor bar? Is it private functions only?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No because the outdoor deck is open to anyone.

The 6th floor terrace is open to the public but also can be reserved for private functions, as it's part of the meeting space on the top floor.

I would be that as the hotel matures that space becomes less available to the general public, especially on weekends.

It's packed again tonight.

Was really cool to see. Walking home Friday night from Slim's I couldn't believe the number of people out and about. Felt like we were in Center City Philly or Hubbard St in Chicago. Just awesome.

So my sister is staying here this week from NYC and one initial impression she has about the aloft rooms is... no curtains!

I thought her room was pretty neat in general. Didn't even notice the no curtains thing until she pointed it out. She's sensitive to light when she sleeps and is concerned it'll wake her up earlier than she'd like (we can mitigate this I realize, but it just wasn't something she planned for). We'll see how the next few days goes.

The only things that came to MY attention was a surprising number of leaks from the heavy rains, but I'm sure that's resolvable.

7952
My wife and had a stay-cation at the Aloft this week. We ate at Urban Johnnies and attended the Sisters Act production at the Civic. The rooms were fantastic. There were no curtains, but the movable shade worked just fine! you have to pull the chain located near the wall.

7952
There were no curtains, but the movable shade worked just fine! you have to pull the chain located near the wall.

Thanks! I'll let her know...

This is probably not the best place to post this, but it looks like I will be in OKC this upcoming weekend. I can get a good deal on both the Ambassador and the Aloft. Which one would you all recommend?

Both? one night at one and one at the other?

This is probably not the best place to post this, but it looks like I will be in OKC this upcoming weekend. I can get a good deal on both the Ambassador and the Aloft. Which one would you all recommend?

If you'll be in on Friday, I'd say Ambassador; you can walk down to H&8th easily. If not, I'd try Aloft.

This is probably not the best place to post this, but it looks like I will be in OKC this upcoming weekend. I can get a good deal on both the Ambassador and the Aloft. Which one would you all recommend?

It's awesome to have those two great choices, because either are withing walking distance to so many cool things.

Perhaps Aloft this time and Ambassador next time, when presumably Fassler Hall / Dust Bowl and Bleu Garten will all be open?

It's awesome to have those two great choices, because either are withing walking distance to so many cool things.

Perhaps Aloft this time and Ambassador next time, when presumably Fassler Hall / Dust Bowl and Bleu Garten will all be open?

Well, H&8th will be this Friday night so he might want to take that in to account. Are you planning on possibly going to Game 6 Saturday night? If so, aLoft would be better. Also, when was the last time you were in town? aLoft might be better because it is more walkable. Of course, you could rent Sopkies from either places and ride to the other if you want to.

My original plan was to try and go to H&8th but my god getting out of Dallas is such a PAIN on a Friday afternoon, so I may not make it in time.

Probably won't make it to the Thunder game but I would like to hit up some of the festivities.

Cool event:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BroaPbNCMAAp1r9.jpg

any updates?

any updates?

It's great! It's open and I've heard they are doing well.
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/alofthotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3623&language=en_US

oh, excellent. Thanks Zookeeper!

If anyone else has been and has any update, opinion, pics - please do share! :)

any updates?It's open man! Really cool place as well. It smells obscenely good in there also. I don't know why. I almost got kicked out for trying to find the source of the smell.

oh, excellent. Thanks Zookeeper!

If anyone else has been and has any update, opinion, pics - please do share! :)

Hot Rod, I visited the hotel shortly after it was opened and was given a tour. I posted pics here. I'm going to a trade show in October in their meeting space.

Any word on the restaurant space?

It's open man! Really cool place as well. It smells obscenely good in there also. I don't know why. I almost got kicked out for trying to find the source of the smell.

The cougars are on the 3rd floor...

It smells obscenely good in there also. I don't know why. I almost got kicked out for trying to find the source of the smell.

SW corner by the pool table first floor. It smelled so good I bought the home version. Accscent HD from enviroscent.com

It's being done everywhere.

Hotels? New Custom Scents - Articles | Travel + Leisure (http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/hotels-new-custom-scents)


Everyone is scenting. Ritz-Carlton, Mandarin Oriental, Shangri-La, Marriott. When it comes to making an impression, a comfortable lobby and high-quality service are essential, of course, but among the more subtle cues, none is getting more attention these days than fragrance. “There is data that shows the power of scent to drive loyalty,” says Ziegler. “It brings people back to a place.” Ross Klein, president of the luxury brands group at Starwood, led the development of scent logos for W and St. Regis. W’s is called Bling. As for the St. Regis, “We like clients to feel they’re arriving at their own home, curated by Mrs. Astor, so the scent has the roses and sweet peas Mrs. Astor loved with a little bit of Mr. Astor’s tobacco.” The air in these hotels—as is often the case—is scented using candles.

I can only imagine where you thought the smell was coming from.... :)


The cougars are on the 3rd floor...Yes, I tried to find it believe me I did. The third floor will be investigated though. ;)

Yes, I tried to find it believe me I did. The third floor will be investigated though. ;)

I think they keep revolving the floors for that to keep you guessing though. You'll have to be on top of your game, plupan.

7793

From that view, is the chase tower blocking the Devon tower?

I think they keep revolving the floors for that to keep you guessing though. You'll have to be on top of your game, plupan.Well, an investigation has been launched. These are pickle times, ljbab, these are pickle times.

Well, an investigation has been launched. These are pickle times, ljbab, these are pickle times.

Dill or sweet?

Dill or sweet?That's a tough call. See, I generally like Dill pickles, but if I find a cougar about, that will be sweet. I'm in a pickle on that one! ;)

From that view, is the chase tower blocking the Devon tower?

YES, it is very strange and can confirm it happens in person. The Devon tower is 99% invisible from Aloft's upstairs west-facing patio. It is like the 1 spot in a 10 mile radius that you can't see the tower at all. I have some pictures I can upload, but I'll have to do it later.

The WXYZ restaurant/bar is a really great place to stop by for a drink. Great atmosphere, and it doesn't feel like you are even in OKC. The prices are very reasonable. The northern street-level patio that faces Level has a great street-wall effect and a decent amount of pedestrian activity going on.

The upstairs patio is pretty hoppin' on a Fri-Sat night. They serve drinks upstairs and have a DJ on the patio. Not my favorite type of music, but we brought some friends from out of town and we all had a great time. Overall a very quality establishment.

YES, it is very strange and can confirm it happens in person. The Devon tower is 99% invisible from Aloft's upstairs west-facing patio. It is like the 1 spot in a 10 mile radius that you can't see the tower at all. I have some pictures I can upload, but I'll have to do it later.


Yep. When I had my birthday there it was really shocking... if you moved 10 feet off the patio in either direction I feel like you'd start to see a sliver, but it aligns in just the perfect manner to completely eclipse Devon. Pretty odd perspective, actually.