W xyz ALoft Hotel Bar

I am just not feeling this hotel anymore.  I really think they don't care as much as they used to which is really sad.  This was my fifth stay here and the staff has become so unenthusiastic that's its to the point of rudeness.  What a change from the days when the place was new!  

Let me share with you what happened to me Friday night.  I am sitting by myself outside on the patio (it was a chilly day, I had on a sweater)  minding my own business having a beer.  From out of no where the Bartender and his wife show up, sit right next to me and proceed to both light up cigarettes.  I clearly wasn't smoking and there was no courtesy questions in regards to "Do you mind if we smoke?"...  nothing!  Thanks dude but yeah I kinda don't want to smell like smoke all night.  What a jerk!  

I called and left a message with a Manager and received no response.  This is just one (1) example of the inattentive, clueless staff who had little to no customer service skills.  Now that the new luster has obviously worn off here I would only recommend a stay if you can get a good deal ($price)  otherwise you would receive better service somewhere else.

Great Service, friendly staff. If you spend 30 bucks you get 500 SPG points!!

OK, I know this sounds maybe a little strange...I didn't believe it at first either, but I'm telling you: If you like music shows, you need to stop right now and check to see if there is an Aloft Hotel in your area because I have seen a couple of great, free shows there in the last few months.

Currently, Aloft is having the 2012 Fall Live at Aloft Hotels tour. Basically, the hotel "chain" hires on some bands to tour exclusively to their hotels and put on a mini, acoustic show. The local Aloft in Leawood, KS has their shows in their open bar area called W XYZ lounge. It's a hip, contemporary place with giant couches that no one truly can sit on all that comfortably and a beautiful patio overlooking the sights and smells of Town Center Plaza. If you wonder what I mean by sights AND SMELLS, just go there...you will understand. The hotel is surrounded by some great restaurants, from which pour the aroma of wonderful cuisine.

These music shows are very casual. There's no stage. The bands just mingle around with you before, during, and after. When was the last time you sat 5 feet from a band while they played and it was free?

Now, don't get me wrong...the bands are not Hall of Famers (yet), but don't dismiss the bands they choose. The bands I've seen so far are up & comers that are getting some airplay, getting their songs into primetime TV, etc.

The first show I went to earlier this summer was Green River Ordinance. They are a band I had downloaded from somewhere and actually was liking their music although I hadn't really done it consciously. When I heard they were having a show and checked my iTunes, I realized, I had been listening to their songs frequently and apparently enjoying them by the star ratings I was giving the music. None of my friends wanted to go to the show with me because it feels a little far south for most of my pack, so I went alone. THEY MISSED OUT. It was awesome. The small audience was well-behaved, but obviously contained many fans of the band.

Recently, Aloft Hotel in Leawood (I follow the local Aloft on Facebook to catch when shows are coming) announced another show: Martin Harley, Meiko, and The Dunwells.

I hadn't heard of Martin Harley, but on paper he sounded like someone I'd like. I have a couple of Meiko's songs from somewhere along my journey that I enjoy. I'd heard of The Dunwells, but to my knowledge hadn't heard their music. I decided to go. Again, none of my friends wanted to tag along.

I got there during their soundcheck due to a discrepancy on Facebook regarding the start time. There wasn't an audience forming like their had been for Green River Ordinance, but the soundcheck sounded like my type of music. I lingered around for an hour waiting for more audience -- even one of the local radio stations was there -- but it turned out only to be a very small audience. At one time, there were only about 4 or 5 of us hanging out on the long couches in front and I looked over and Meiko was lounging right next to me before her set.

Anyway, check it out.