I have fond memories of the Renaissance Tower City. As I started my travelling job, this was my home for the first 6 months of my new career. Like other downtown Renaissance hotels, Tower City is older. However, it has an outstanding lobby, 2 fabulous restaurants, an old-fashioned bar, and it is connected to Tower City.
Tower City is a mixed-use mall and office complex. It is anchored by a Dillards department store, and also has some name brand retail outlets, including Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, and Johnston & Murphy. Morton's Steakhouse is a higher-end restaurant where we held a Christmas Party. For every day dining, there is also a food court. For evening entertainment, there is also a cineplex (kino) and a Hard Rock Cafe inside Tower City.
The location is very good. For transportation, there is access to two major expressways, a metro terminal is directly underneath Tower City, an entertainment district called The Flats is 4 blocks away, Jacobs Field for major league baseball and Gund Arena for basketball is connected. Cleveland Stadium for Brown's American Football and Formula One Racing are close by along the lakefront. Also, The Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame, Great Lakes Science Center, and The Cleveland Museum of Art are a short walk away.
Because I worked in Cleveland during the winter months, there was an abundance of snow. With inclement weather came flight delays and cancellations. At Hopkins International Airport there is a metro terminal. So, I could travel on the train for 30 minutes, exit at the bottom of Tower City, and check into the hotel, all without going outside into the cold and snow.
The hotel staff was wonderful. This has been my continuing experience at Renaissance Hotels around the country and the world. When the front desk staff would see me return from a snow cancelled flight, they would look for an upgraded room for me despite my having no hotel status at that time. This was nice, arriving at the hotel at 23.00 and leaving on an 06.00 flight prevented me from truly enjoying the suites.
My fondest memories were at the hotel bar. It was almost like a Cheers television show type of bar. The bar was oval in shape, it had friendly bartenders, and a cast of regulars. This was an easy introduction to the solitary travelling life. I have always regretted not returning to visit the staff at this hotel, but no one ever wanted to vacation with me in Cleveland! The city is derogatively known as the Mistake on the Lake, after its river caught on fire 2 times. Say what you want, but I like Cleveland. My stay at the Renaissance may have something to do with my opinion.