Tazewell Hotel and Suites Ascend Collection, Norfolk

I am currently at the hotel and I am leaving in the morning. I understand the old school feel, but you can upgrade the old school look. I asked for two beds and I was given one. The one bed room looked shady and reminded me of a cheap motel. The thermostat had broken buttons so you could not change the temperature. The AC is either on or off and it was freezing in there. The bathroom shower curtains looked like they were bought at the dollar tree (literally) and had mold looking stuff on the bottom. There was no microwave or refrigeration which I understand that some places may charge extra, so I didn't think too much of it. The place looked like it was falling apart. The hotel was booked, but they were able to give a two bed for the night, but we would not be able to keep the room for the stay. We took it for the night and said we would leave in the morning. The two bed room was a lot better. It came with two TVs, microwave, refrigerator, and the bathroom shower curtain looked a lot better. (not from the dollar tree!) My question now is do they only offer this room to people who they THINK have more money. I will be speaking to the manager in the morning. I am not pleased with this place at all. Now I am basically finding everything wrong with this place that I would not have cared too much about in other places. The wall paper has huge bubbles in them, chipped paint in the bathroom, dusty, and other than the fact that I just saw a ROACH run across the floor and I am now itchy.... I think I will be able to survive until the morning. UGH I cant wait. Where is the health inspector for this place!!! (I do admit, I am more upset about the unfairness of the rooms in this than anything right now, so my review may be a little biased, but not exaggerated! )

I was sent to Norfolk for two weeks. The first week I spent at the Hilton Garden Inn at Hampton and the second week I spent at the Tazewell. Off the bat, I was mildly annoyed to see that they quoted me four dollars more for the "business rate" versus what was quoted on yahoo ($94 v $90). Nonetheless, I didn't really care that much. It was just a symptom of greed and that always annoys me. I loved the way the hotel was designed. There was lots of original artwork, greco crown moulding, and soft non fluorescent lights. I liked the ancient elevator and the stairs. The room was very spacious and well designed too(it felt non corporate). Overall, I think it is a very pleasant place to stay. I am 29 years old, so I didn't mind the 1.5 block walk to park and I don't care about dropping $15 a day to park because it is reimbursed. I noticed others mentioned that they felt unsafe in the parking garage because of "shady" looking individuals outside. I believe that the people they were talking about were black people. There are black people on the streets, but I didn't think they looked shady at all. Most cosmopolitan areas have a lot of people on the streets. Personally, I like it. Also, it is really close to macarthur center where you can watch a movie, Domo sushi (the best ginger dressing I have EVER eaten), coffee shops, and a performing arts center. The room came with a gym membership and free breakfast. I was weary about coming due to the mixed reviews but if you are not as antique as the hotel is, I think you'd like it.

This hotel likely was once extremely nice, but has become quite rundown. As noted by others, there is no on-site parking and the garage they use is almost two blocks away even though there is another garage adjacent to the hotel. Luckily I stayed only one night and found on-street parking nearby. The elevators are decrepit and don't always work. My son and I ended up taking the stairs down from the 7th floor and experienced the deteriorating (although quaint) staircases - some of the risers felt as though they would collapse at any moment. The room was spacious, but in poor shape. The door would not close all the way unless slammed shut. The television was about 20 years old, and the bathroom poorly laid out. The towels were clean but smelled of cigarette smoke. I get the sense that the friendly staff is trying, but doesn't have a particularly stellar product to work with. For one night, getting in around 10:00 pm and leaving at 8:30 the next morning, this hotel sufficed, but I would not recommend it for a longer stay.

From the outside, this hotel looks like it is a nice place to stay. We got into our room and there were stains on the wall and ceiling as if water was leaking from another room. The curtains were filled with dust and we saw a gigantic cockroach who had also decided to stay for the weekend. We checked out immnediately and the front desk person was rude and actually tried to say he was not going to give us a refund. After my sister started her own protest outside to inform other people of the conditions at the Tazewell, the manager finally gave us a full refund. I would not recommend this hotel to even my worst enemy!!

The antiquish atmosphere is unique and beautiful. It is in a great location downtown, and the staff were overly helpful. I am looking foward to going back!

The front desk staff were very courteous. Location was convenient--except the parking garage being a block and a half away and parking meters full nearby, but access, on foot, was great for restaurants and mall for anyone needing to shop for an item. Quite safe with policemen everywhere. The rooms do not adequately seal out light and noise. Construction equipment and trash trucks working very early morn. Though both in their written material and orally we were told that check-out was for 12noon. Housekeeping concerns, however, seemed totally focused on them getting to leave early, rather than be knowledgeable or be sensitive to our need for sleep--because at 10:30AM Housekeeping was banging on our door and demanding to know when we were leaving. I told them I thought check-out was 12noon. The gal flippantly "apologized" and left. We were both overtired due to life situations and the two "nights" sleep there with so much street noise. We had just gotten back to sleep when Housekeeping was pounding on our door again. This second time of waking us, she now was demanding to know if we were going to be leaving on time or needed to leave late. Again, it was 11:06 and check-out was for 12noon. at this point I called the front desk. The gal at the front desk apologized and said she would speak right away with Housekeeping, that 12noon is indeed checkout and that HouseKeeping is not supposed to be knocking on any door until 12noon. Shortly after that, a gal with the voice of the HouseKeeping gal called loudly to someone else: "..I am just WAITING for Them!". It was approximately 11:16AM. We left totally exhausted. The lack of sleep there could create a driving hazard for people needing to travel. Tazewell, itself, is historic and cute--Old European Decor, and reasonably clean. I cannot recommend this hotel to anyone, since I arrived overtired and needing sleep and that just was not possible at Tazewell House.

Be very cautious of your stay here, other than convenience, it is not worth the $139.00 charge. I stayed at the Tazewell on June 26th, 2007 because I had a job interview in downtown Norfolk on the 27th. When I arrived, Granby Street was full and there was not even a spot in the loading zone due to construction - all the metered spots were full too. I double parked and ran in to ask where I could park and unload my bags. I was informed that parking was a few blocks away, at my own expense of up to $8.00 a day, and I could leave my bags with her; she pointed to an open area on the carpet behind the desk. I was offered a map to find the Monticello Parking Garage, which I took. The garage had a few shady people loitering in it and it smelled like urine. I felt nervous parking my Lincoln unattended for the next 24 hours, but was told the lot was safe. You can purchase a parking "pass" from the front desk for $15.00 that allows you to leave the parking garage up to 5 times in one day. I walked back to the hotel on the 102 temps and went to my room. The room was spacious, single Queen bed, and the AC was set on 70 degrees and was working nicely. There were cosmetic issues in the bathroom; rotted wallpaper and caulk along the tub where there was a water leak, but it appeared clean. There was toiletries from Bath and Body Works. The bed: the comforter looked newer, but when I pulled it back, many stains were visible on the back side. The sheets were wrinkled enough that I thought there had not been changed, but could not verify that. The bed was firm and was actually comfortable. The free Continental breakfast was standard fare and there was a fridge and 4 cup coffee pot in the room. The TV was a 13" model, which I found interesting! There was unsecured wireless access in the room and it worked fine. The drapes did not offer much room darkness, if that is an issue. I used the lamp to keep them closed, but the sides and top were fully exposed and I could not cover these openings up. Now comes the noise issues I had! My room, 307, bordered a side street/alley that ran parallel to an Irish restaurant and a sports bar. Here is the kicker....The city came around to empty the business trash about 8:30 PM and it took almost 1/2 hour. It was extremely loud and annoying, right under my window. The elevator broke and the door beeped and opened about 100 times in the next 1\2 hour. People were getting to their rooms at 2-3 AM and had no problems going and getting ice at that time of the morning, which I heard. The people in the room above me made the ceiling creak every time they walked. People yelled in the alley all night long and the city came back and finished emptying the construction dumpsters at 2:30 AM!! I was no happy. That took almost another 1/2 of beeping fro them backing up, the noise of them dumping the materials, and the compressing of the trash. Totally unacceptable! The next shift of city workers showed up in the alley at 5:00 AM where they gathered to chat and drink coffee while waiting for the other worked. The beeping...and talking and more beeping was nice and loud at 5 AM when there is nthing to hide the noise. You can hear EVERYTHING! Beware of rooms on this side of the hotel. Overall, I do not think I would stay at the Tazewell in the future.

Nice hotel. Was close to the NorVa where we were seeing a show. Only drawback was the parking for the hotel was about a block away. If we were staying for more than 1 night, with more luggage it would have been very inconvenient. Breakfast was included. Best part was the make your own waffle. Room was clean. Could hear some noise from above. I would stay there again if I saw another show at the NorVa.

A nice change from the hotel chains. You are right in the thick of it if you are visiting Granby Sreet. Request a corner room if you can facing Granby. Nice continental b-fast. Could be a bit cleaner and the water pressure is really bad but we enjoyed the overall stay.Went for New Years Eve...lots of 20 and 30 somethings. Would stay there again.Great food & martinis next door at the Havana.

The Tazewell is in a great location close to the McArthur Center Mall, shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions. It is also within easy walking distance to the waterfront. The room was oversized and very nice. The business center provided convenient computer and internet access. The rate is very reasonable if you stay 3 or more nights. We did see a few very small ants in the room. They had no parking at the time due to construction around the hotel but parking was available on the street or at nearby decks. All in all, a very nice place to stay!