The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge

TL;DR: Beds not good, parking pain to depart, check in long wait. Positives indoor pool, afternoon tea, gallery restaurant and spa. Not planning on returning unless for tea or brunch at gallery. I've now stayed here twice within 10 months. Both times I've found the staff quite kind and helpful. The rooms clean and as depicted. Hotel and grounds very well maintained. Love the walkability to restaurants and bars. Room Beds are not up to a luxury hotel standards. I found both beds to be a springy mattress with a worn out pillow top. Quite literally a pain on the back. Bedding is Frette and quite soft and cozy. Bathroom has Molton Brown products. Super bougie brand so I think that is on par with the hotel being luxury. I bring my own shampoo and conditioner because of my 3A curly hair doesn't get along with the shampoo and conditioner. Both the water pressure and hot levels are exceptional. I was not lacking warm water and did actually turn it a bit cooler than my usual setting at home. So I've a bit of a bone to pick on the minibar. There is a listed price for all the items. Great! Was a bit surprised on the bill to find the $3 can of soda and $18 container of dark sea salt chocolates to be listed as $3.99 and $22.41. That's more than the sales tax in Mecklenburg. Upon reading the fine print on the minibar there is a 24% service fee on top of the 8.25% sales tax. Given that the minibar is stocked and no one is running this items to the room like room service, I'm a bit confused on the service charge as anything but a small additional little money grab. Little sneaky and tacky vibes about it. Gallery restaurant I have written a separate 5 star review and very much so like the restaurant. Afternoon tea Afternoon tea I absolutely love and greatly enjoy. Lovely tea and tiered plate selections. This is a must for me, absolutely love it. I've attended with my partner as well as solo. Solo I sat and read a book it was great! Even if traveling solo still a lovely nice experience! Parking I think the price of parking has changed. It is now $20 to self park and $30 to valet. This is all clear on the app and website before booking. Spouse was understandably less than thrilled when he walked out to the car with all our luggage, loaded the car and began to drive to the hotel to pick me up only to be locked into the parking lot. The room key card that opens this parking was deactivated apparently at check out time. Well no one wants to be schlepping around in muggy hot weather at noon to come back to the hotel and find out why it isn't working. He had to have the card reactivated, then walk back to the car, then bring the car up. Waste of time and irritation. Hotel common space I found all common and public spaces clean and tidy. Both elevators have been working, in good service and clean. There is a complimentary coffee and tea station in the bar space in the morning. They also have some grab and go items for purchase. I made tea and drank it on the veranda. None of the grab and go items spoke to me so I went to the gallery restaurant. Spa I've been to the spa last trip and enjoyed my facial and massage. Mani pedi was ok... women's spa space has a sauna and steam room. A quiet waiting area with teas and water. Showers, restrooms and a locker space. Indoor pool Love that they have an indoor and outdoor pool. Super easy for me to get burned so I use the indoor ones. The interior space is quite lovely at the interior pool. A few notes of items needing attention. The rectangular hot tub has quite a thick layer of scrum on the tiles above the water level. Requested additional pillows when checking in ahead of time on the app. Those were not in the room and I had to request them. If you want a tea kettle in room you've to request that and tea. Wish it was easier in app or pre check in to do. I am not sure that we will be back anytime soon as I don't find their beds comfy and relaxing. Hotel, amenities, afternoon tea and brunch overall I like. I wish they would join other properties that had a memory foam type bed with a more firm supportive with slats. Rather than springy mattress on a box spring.

To say I am disappointed in the staff and the behavior of the Ballantyne Hotel is an understatement. Never have I ever experienced such rude and dismissiveness by anyone. My family and I frequent the Gallery restaurant, we attend charity events annually, and at least one wedding a year. We take pictures on the property regularly. Yesterday we tried to take a picture of our son and his girlfriend at the entrance of the hotel in front of the fountain facing the parking lot and told we could not take pictures anywhere on the property. We question the staff member as we have frequented the hotel many times over the 20 years we have lived in Ballantyne and he very aggressively told us it was against the rules to take any pictures on the property. As he is telling us this the people behind us are taking pictures. You would think they would value their community and its children. Not only the has Ballantyne Hotel has lost a long time customer they have left such a negative impression on our family that we will make sure to detour those we know from doing any business here.

At the stay at the hotel me and my siblings were walking around the hotel trying to explore the inside because we were recommended this hotel by family that resides here as we are from miami fl, as we were walking around we got stopped by staff and accused us of not staying here due to not being dressed appropriately, we told staff we stayed at the hotel and they word for word told us “no you don’t”. It was a white man telling us this as we are 3 hispanics. Me and my family were shocked at what was happening and felt very offended. I have never felt that disrespected as much as I did in that moment and now knowing the racial profiling will no longer recommend this hotel here on out. Super disappointing.

We had a great experience at this hotel. We had a relaxing visit to the spa and wonderful meals at the restaurant. Morning coffee was appreciated in the lobby, as well as quick breakfast options. This hotel had a relaxed family feel with an upscale decor. Our family will return to this property again when in Charlotte. Thank you for an enjoyable stay.

I normally do not review but there are many better options in Charlotte than the Ballantyne. Its best days are far gone as the facilities are worn and service is seriously lacking. Common areas are nice but restrooms seem original and are not clean. Carpets need replacing. Service is nearly absent sans the excellent valet. Front desk and such are indifferent. Definitely recommend other options.