Altoona Grand Hotel

Hotels Near Of Me Pennsylvania Blair County Altoona Sheraton Drive

1 Sheraton Dr, Altoona, PA 16601, USA

3.0

This hotel was built in the 70's. Hotel interior was clean and the host was very kind. The indoor pool was really nice and not crowded. My room was two levels with a tight, spiral staircase to the main sleeping area. The room also had a 1/2 bath on the lower floor with the main bathroom located upstairs. The only thing that I was disappointed about was the Continental breakfast. Basic stuff throughout the weekdays with hot breakfast during the weekend. Unfortunately for me, I stayed mid week. Overall, I would stay at this location, again.

Terry Newell

Overview

(814) 946-1631
www.altoonagrandhotel.com

Altoona Grand Hotel Introduce

For those searching for "Hotels Near Of Me" in the Altoona, Pennsylvania region, the Altoona Grand Hotel stands as a long-standing establishment at 1 Sheraton Dr, Altoona, PA 16601. With its phone number at (814) 946-1631 or +1 814-946-1631, this hotel presents a distinctive option for travelers seeking accommodation that combines a sense of history with practical amenities.

The Altoona Grand Hotel, originally built in the 1970s, offers an environment that reflects its architectural heritage. While some guests describe its aesthetic as being "stuck in a time warp," perhaps evoking the 1980s, others note that the interior is generally kept clean. The common areas and lobby aim to provide a welcoming atmosphere, though the decor may lean towards a classic, rather than ultra-modern, style. It's a hotel that has witnessed decades of hospitality, and its environment offers a glimpse into a bygone era of hotel design.

The services at the Altoona Grand Hotel are geared towards providing a comprehensive stay. One of the most consistently praised features is the indoor heated pool. Guests frequently mention that the pool is "really nice and not crowded," making it a significant draw, especially for families or those looking to relax. The hotel also boasts a 24-hour fitness center, allowing guests to maintain their exercise routines. For dining, the hotel features a full-service restaurant, The Grouse's Nest, which offers American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with a lounge and bar. There's also The Laurel Room, specializing in American cuisine for dinner. A continental breakfast is offered daily, with hot breakfast options typically available during the weekend. This distinction in breakfast offerings between weekdays and weekends is important for guests to note, as weekday options may be more basic. Free self-parking and complimentary Wi-Fi are also provided, adding to the convenience for guests.

Among its notable features, the Altoona Grand Hotel offers a variety of room types, including some unique layouts. One guest described a two-level room with a spiral staircase, featuring a half bath on the lower floor and the main bathroom upstairs. While this can provide a novel experience, it's worth considering for guests with mobility concerns or those traveling with small children. Many rooms include standard amenities such as flat-screen TVs with cable channels, refrigerators, microwaves, coffee/tea makers, and air conditioning/heating. Some higher-tier suites even offer in-room whirlpool spas for those seeking a more luxurious experience. The hotel also functions as a conference center, with meeting and banquet facilities capable of accommodating events of various sizes, from 20 to 550 people. This makes it a suitable choice for corporate meetings, exhibitions, or special events.

However, an objective introduction requires acknowledging all aspects of guest feedback. While positive experiences often highlight the helpful staff and the excellent pool, some reviews point to concerns regarding the hotel's aging infrastructure and cleanliness in certain areas. One customer, for instance, reported checking into a suite that "was not cleaned well and felt very unsanitary," citing issues like splatters on the headboard and mismatched, falling-off bathroom tiles. This suggests that while efforts are made to maintain cleanliness, the age of the building can lead to visible wear and tear, and consistency in housekeeping may vary. The "stuck in a time warp" comment reflects the need for renovation in some areas to meet contemporary guest expectations. Despite these instances, the hotel's staff is often praised for their responsiveness to reported issues, such as housekeeping apologizing and rectifying the cleanliness problems when notified. The hotel's location is also highlighted as convenient, being approximately 15 minutes from Penn State and offering good access to local attractions like Lakemont Park and Peoples Natural Gas Field.

Regarding promotional information, the Altoona Grand Hotel's official website occasionally features special offers and discounted rates, encouraging guests to book directly. While specific, ongoing promotions are not detailed in the provided information, potential guests are advised to check their website or contact the hotel directly to inquire about current deals, seasonal packages, or discounts. The availability of free breakfast and free self-parking can also be considered a form of value-added promotion, contributing to a more affordable stay for guests.

In conclusion, the Altoona Grand Hotel, as a "Hotels Near Of Me" option in Altoona, PA, offers a distinctive stay defined by its vintage character and practical amenities. Its large indoor heated pool is a significant asset, and its ability to host events as a conference center adds to its versatility. While some aspects of its older construction and occasional cleanliness concerns have been raised by guests, the generally positive feedback on staff kindness and the overall value proposition suggest that it remains a viable choice for travelers who appreciate a more traditional hotel experience with key modern comforts. Prospective guests should consider its established nature and review recent feedback to ensure it aligns with their expectations for an Altoona stay.

Altoona Grand Hotel Photos

Altoona Grand Hotel Location

Altoona Grand Hotel

1 Sheraton Dr, Altoona, PA 16601, USA

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Reviews

Feb 27, 2025 · Terry Newell

There is nothing GRAND about this hotel. We only chose it because it was 15 minutes from Penn State. We checked into a suite that was not cleaned well and felt very unsanitary. We reported the filth, housekeeping apologized and came to clean it better. Upon, turning the covers back to head to bed, I discovered a head board with splatters of god knows what. The hotel looks like it's stuck in a time warp, maybe the 1980's. They need a complete renovation, my bathroom tile was several different shades of mustard yellow because they couldn't match the tile they replaced for repairs, and some were falling off the wall. Again, don't stay here. Find a better option.

Mar 30, 2025 · Jas'an Thompson

!!! Warning to all, if you choose to stay here !!! At first glance the rooms seemed fine but by the evening things started to take a turn and the rest of our experience sucked. The pool was over ran with non-hotel guests and kids for a pool party, so be aware that this hotel can be rented out for parties and these events will take place in the same area as the hotel guests with no regard for others. We were told the party would be over around 8 and they didn't actually begin to leave until 8:45. Them the pool was over taken by a crowd of teenagers not older than 15-16 and they proceeded to drink and play loud music until almost closing. While the staff did try to remove them, it was too little, too late and the pool was closed up for night. Forget calling the front desk from your room for anything as there was no phone provided. And the bed itself will feel like sleeping on springs. When we brought up these problems to the front desk they told us that is just the way it is sometimes especially for their area. They didn't even bother to ask our room number or offer a room change as we were right next to the pool. I am sorry to say I would absolutely not be returning to Altoona and not would I recommend anyone stay at this hotel. It's guests are not savory and the staff will let them run around and do anything they want with no regard for their other patrons!

Feb 23, 2025 · Alura Jones

We called to book a month in advance as our team was playing in State College, but your hotel was reasonably priced and had a pool. As we were coming with 15 children minimum. When booking we were told our rooms the 8 or 9 we needed were blocked off for us. They would all be close and with pool balcony. As we arrived, that was not the case. One was on floor 1, 2 were in the lower 200s, and 5 were high 200s and all together. I had made the reservation, as we were disappointed in the arrangement, Noone complained. Which alotted to our children running back and forth. However, in our room, the water for the shower was extremely hard to pull for it to work. The 2nd night, the sink had hot water but not the shower. Calling the front desk for the first problem, she came up right away explaining the hotel was older, and you had to use a little force to pull back. There was a decent amount of force needed with my foot on the wall pulling back to get it to work. She was very friendly and helpful, tho. As we called about the water not being hot Saturday evening, it was late, around 11:30-12, they said no one else called with a problem. We were leaving in the morning, so we just let the issue go. The fans for the thermostat were very loud also, which we just turned off. I will say as we had younger children and some rowdy adults friday night, the manager and front desk worker were very polite, asking us to be quiet, as we didn't realize the time. Our children were excited and pumped for their state tournament. Playing card games in the hallway. Saturday evening in our room, the adults were being louder, our fault completely. We understand this. Instead of knocking on the door, which was propped open by the lock, HE pushed it in and told us about the noise complaints. He said to have fun but quiet down. Complying again realized our faults. The elevators also did not work in case you would need to use them. The pillows were HORRIBLE, and bring your own for sure. Other than the rooms not being all together and the water situation in one room. We enjoyed our time. The breakfast for the weekend was decent. The front desk staff were polite and helpful when needed

Mar 17, 2025 · Ashley Ruffner

Very clean room. The beds were comfy as Hell, water pressure in the shower was great with melt your skin hotness. Definitely will be back

Apr 22, 2025 · John Ware