Or better yet, open up something cooler that doesnt use jingoistic phrases for 'pool'?
?
that wasnt directed at you adam or meant in a challenging kind of way. But it would be nice to develop the idea of accomodations as Third Place in greater iterations.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place
I agree that 'splash' is a bit jingoistic---although that certainly isnt a dealbreaker for me.
My main issue was that I thought If I Loved You's statement was a bit of a false dichotomy or whatever - that if you don't like Aloft, then you have to accept shitty hotels as your only other alternative. I generally like hotels that are like Aloft (admittedly, I've not been to Aloft, I only read about it, but I'm familiar with the concept) - so I know that there are other options out there that don't have kooky names for pools or don't seem to try so hard to be 'different' or whatever.
When I read about the 'aloha' thing, it reminded me somehow of Moe's. How when you walk into Moe's and everyone yells, "Welcome to Moe's" at you. That irritates me - though it didn't stop me from going there, apparently 
(My main issue was that I thought If I Loved You's statement was a bit of a false dichotomy or whatever - that if you don't like Aloft, then you have to accept shitty hotels as your only other alternative.) Adam W. if you go back to why I said this you will find that BackinJax05 said (What a stupid concept. Just gimme a room. Forget all the cutesy sh t!) and this is why I said stay at a Motel 6, Ramada or a Knights Inn.
And I STILL think its a stupid concept. That is my opinion about the hotel, and sissy boutique hotels in general. It was not - and still is not - a personal attack on anyone who likes that kind of stuff. If someone likes Aloft, fine. Enjoy your trip and stay safe. 
As for me, I'll pass on Motel 6, Ramada, or Knights Inn. They cost a little more, but you cant go wrong with Marriott.
PS: You left Red Roof Inn off the bad hotels list. They should be called Red LIGHT Inn, especially the one in Southpoint on any Saturday night. 
I think Marriott hotels are usually pretty nice - of course, with chains, it often comes down to the individual location. Newer ones tend to be nicer than older ones, etc. But as a brand, I think Marriott tends to know what they're doing.
We recently stayed in a brand new Ramada and it was really nice. Granted it was brand new and it was in Amsterdam, so it probably wasn't your run-of-the mill Ramada. But it had the boutique kind of feel to it without the cheesy elements described in the Wikipedia article about Aloft hotels.
I totally understand your gripes about Aloft. I want a nice room. Hell, I want a nice-looking room. And I do appreciate or prefer hotels that put more thought into design - I think it makes a difference. I get tired of staying in rooms that all look and feel the same. But the cutesy shit just seems so patronizing.
It's a shame about the hotel, though. I hope they can sort it out and reopen.
