Location, location, location….and that’s about it. We had booked a King Deluxe room for our college visit with our daughter at the tune of $180+ tax +parking= $241.09. The hotel was a ghost town. No restaurants, no bar…nothing. I understand there is a pandemic but for that price I expect more. Our room was as dark as a dungeon. 1 window for 2 rooms. It smelled musty like an old basement. The furniture was destroyed. The bed was extremely uncomfortable and there was a lipstick stain on the white bedspread. They even took the phone out of our room because of covid precautions. There wasn’t even a plastic cup in the room to use. Honestly, this room wasn’t even worth $59. Maybe this place is better when there isn’t a pandemic but I doubt I’ll give it a chance again. This hotel was actually the worst part for our college visit.
opusinNC
On the B level of the Oread are at least two signs directing you to the fitness center that ultimately lead you down a long hallway where there is...no fitness center. It's actually back by the elevators. The signs all point in the wrong direction, and the same can be said of how the Oread operates. The Oread occupies exclusive space - the only hotel at the entrance to the University of Kansas, so they have a ready-made customer base. They don't have competition, and that is reflected in how the place functions. Anyone can have a bad day, so I try to cut a break to a sullen desk clerk. But at least please give me the basic information. Instead I had to interrogate it out of her. Is there parking at the hotel? Do I have to pay for it? When does the restaurant start serving breakfast? "The restaurant is not open on Monday for breakfast," the clerk tells me. I would cut them some emerging-from-the pandemic slack for the oddity of that schedule, but after that I got silence. Back to interrogation. "Is there somewhere nearby to get breakfast?" I ask. She offers a couple options which don't sound convenient when you have an 8 a.m. start. Then she offers: "We'll have coffee and muffins here in the lobby." It turns out you have to pay for the coffee and storebought muffins -- $3 per muffin -- but she neglected to mention that. If you have business at KU, there is no place more convenient. The room was clean, but it lacked an electrical outlet at the desk and the A/C sounded like someone using a power drill while I tried to sleep. But if you want a place where the folks running it, well, give a rip. You might do some searching.
valeriehO8399VI
My stay at the Oread was wonderful! The staff was quite helpful; giving me directions to various places, making me aware of hours of operation, parking, etc., and were always nice. I will recommend this hotel to friends! Thanks so much!
alihuen
We've visited our grandson at KU for the last five years. When being close to campus is important, we stay at the Oread. The location is absolutely ideal! And the only reason to stay here is for the location. The Eldridge - same owner - is a much nicer place to stay in every way. But that's about it. Rooms at the Oread are sterile, lighting poor, and quite basic. Very noisy on sports weekends. Food ordinary. Staff friendly but frequently clueless on basics, like getting boarding passes.
tabbiecatMO
Rooms are minimalistic at best. Refrigerator didn’t work. Weird clicking noise in room all night. Food at the bar was subpar but the brownie was great. Ended up checking out at 1130pm because it was so bad. Manager has yet to answer my wife’s calls. Good if you’re a college student. But not worth the money at all.
townp2014
Went to this hotel now, near the end of the pandemic lockdown, but still within the Kansas state mask order. The greeter (hotel staff) was wearing his mask under his chin, leaving mouth and nose uncovered. Too many of the clients were following his (bad) example. We won't be back ...
CookieLadyFamily
We have been visiting the Oread for years — RockChalk Jayhawk, 2024 ... We visited for accepted students weekend, Orientation weekend, KU vs Baylor Basketball games ... we always stay here, it is so conveniently located, right on campus! We have dinner at the Bird Dog Restaurant— outstanding service, and the food is delicious! You can enjoy the bell ringing right off of your terrace, look no further— this is the BEST place to stay in Lawrence, Kansas! Laura Ann R-T Boulder Cookie Lady
Wahoo303
This wasn't my first stay at The Oread, nor will it be my last. Took a friend to his first KU game at Allen Fieldhouse, sadly he was a CU fan ( the game didn't quite go as he wanted). We had a terrific stay and not only enjoyed our stay, but the staff was friendly and efficient, Steve and Spencer at the bar are top notch, and Spencer is a font of sports knowledge. Can't imagine staying anywhere else in Lawrence.
racheldQ9368ZY
Beautiful hotel (still feels new), right at the end of Jayhawk Boulevard - perched atop a hill with great views in all directions. Valet park for a day rate of $5. Nicely appointed rooms, in all categories. Hotel sits on Mt. Oread, so the views are great. Has rooftop venue spaces and full conference center, all the services to go with that. Various dining outlets and a unique boutique, for the KU fan who already has everything. The coffee may be Starbucks, but the baristo is a coffee/tea master who has the confidence and credentials to make each guest a customized drink, to perfection. This hotel is a must see, even if you don’t stay the night.
Ted C
We recently spent 3 nights in one of the most unusual hotels I have ever experienced. It is located next to the campus of the University of Kansas which assures it of a full house on football weekends and most of the basketball season. Frankly more bads than goods about the place. First the building is as ugly a structure as I think I have ever seen, clad in cut limestone without so much as a nod to the many handsome limestone buildings on the "traditional" campus. Inside the halls, lobby and all public rooms are clad in the same cut limestone. The halls are generally dimly lit resulting in the building feeling line you are entering a mine without the proper safety equipment. The rooms are quite large, probably with an eye to converting them to studio apartments next to the campus in the event the place fails to produce a profit as a hotel. The bathroom is enormous in size with a singularly strange layout. The only towel rack is located a good 7-8 steps from both the shower and the sink. This forces the user to store towels on the sink counter, or on the toilet grab bar when using the shower or make a dash across the room dripping water all over the floor. I ordered breakfast using the room service door hanger, which would not hang so I took it to the front desk. Half an hour after it was to be delivered I went to the front desk to inquire about it and a full hour after that wonder of wonders a miracle happened and the breakfast arrived. The hash browns potatoes appeared to be deep fried Tater Tots but I was too hungry to complain. The problems concerning room service breakfasts was solved by the hotel simply not providing the necessary door hanger on either of the two subsequent days. The good - close to the campus on the site of the Rock Chalk Cafe where Virgil and Jeannie used to dispense cheap beer, cash checks, and sell fairly greasy hamburgers when I was an undergraduate. Oh, the room rate for non game days is reasonable. There is a Starbucks in the lobby and apparently as a consequence there is no coffee machine in the rooms, except on request. I requested one and the coffee packets were promptly delivered but a 2nd trip to the front desk was required to get the coffee machine. However, the next day a 2nd coffee machine and no coffee packets appeared as if by magic in the room. There are two outdoor bars, one on the 5th floor and one on the 9th which is accessed by stairs from the 8th floor where the elevator ends. Both were subject to Kansas's famed winds and cold when we were there. However, I admit the view of the campus is quite good, at least on the few non-windy, non-hot or non-cold days available in the local very fickle weather. The bad or at least quirky all of the rest.
I would not recommend this hotel on college game dat as an older couple. Unfortunately we didnt see that until arrival. Very crowded. Hotel is nice with a full service bar. The stone decor is nice, hotel is clean, and the staff is friendly.
Katie C
The Oread staff was helpful and was able to accommodate our group for an extra night so that we didn't have to switch hotels. The room service breakfast was great (and reasonably priced)! Short walking distance to KU campus.
Location, location, location….and that’s about it. We had booked a King Deluxe room for our college visit with our daughter at the tune of $180+ tax +parking= $241.09. The hotel was a ghost town. No restaurants, no bar…nothing. I understand there is a pandemic but for that price I expect more. Our room was as dark as a dungeon. 1 window for 2 rooms. It smelled musty like an old basement. The furniture was destroyed. The bed was extremely uncomfortable and there was a lipstick stain on the white bedspread. They even took the phone out of our room because of covid precautions. There wasn’t even a plastic cup in the room to use. Honestly, this room wasn’t even worth $59. Maybe this place is better when there isn’t a pandemic but I doubt I’ll give it a chance again. This hotel was actually the worst part for our college visit.
On the B level of the Oread are at least two signs directing you to the fitness center that ultimately lead you down a long hallway where there is...no fitness center. It's actually back by the elevators. The signs all point in the wrong direction, and the same can be said of how the Oread operates. The Oread occupies exclusive space - the only hotel at the entrance to the University of Kansas, so they have a ready-made customer base. They don't have competition, and that is reflected in how the place functions. Anyone can have a bad day, so I try to cut a break to a sullen desk clerk. But at least please give me the basic information. Instead I had to interrogate it out of her. Is there parking at the hotel? Do I have to pay for it? When does the restaurant start serving breakfast? "The restaurant is not open on Monday for breakfast," the clerk tells me. I would cut them some emerging-from-the pandemic slack for the oddity of that schedule, but after that I got silence. Back to interrogation. "Is there somewhere nearby to get breakfast?" I ask. She offers a couple options which don't sound convenient when you have an 8 a.m. start. Then she offers: "We'll have coffee and muffins here in the lobby." It turns out you have to pay for the coffee and storebought muffins -- $3 per muffin -- but she neglected to mention that. If you have business at KU, there is no place more convenient. The room was clean, but it lacked an electrical outlet at the desk and the A/C sounded like someone using a power drill while I tried to sleep. But if you want a place where the folks running it, well, give a rip. You might do some searching.
My stay at the Oread was wonderful! The staff was quite helpful; giving me directions to various places, making me aware of hours of operation, parking, etc., and were always nice. I will recommend this hotel to friends! Thanks so much!
We've visited our grandson at KU for the last five years. When being close to campus is important, we stay at the Oread. The location is absolutely ideal! And the only reason to stay here is for the location. The Eldridge - same owner - is a much nicer place to stay in every way. But that's about it. Rooms at the Oread are sterile, lighting poor, and quite basic. Very noisy on sports weekends. Food ordinary. Staff friendly but frequently clueless on basics, like getting boarding passes.
Rooms are minimalistic at best. Refrigerator didn’t work. Weird clicking noise in room all night. Food at the bar was subpar but the brownie was great. Ended up checking out at 1130pm because it was so bad. Manager has yet to answer my wife’s calls. Good if you’re a college student. But not worth the money at all.
Went to this hotel now, near the end of the pandemic lockdown, but still within the Kansas state mask order. The greeter (hotel staff) was wearing his mask under his chin, leaving mouth and nose uncovered. Too many of the clients were following his (bad) example. We won't be back ...
We have been visiting the Oread for years — RockChalk Jayhawk, 2024 ... We visited for accepted students weekend, Orientation weekend, KU vs Baylor Basketball games ... we always stay here, it is so conveniently located, right on campus! We have dinner at the Bird Dog Restaurant— outstanding service, and the food is delicious! You can enjoy the bell ringing right off of your terrace, look no further— this is the BEST place to stay in Lawrence, Kansas! Laura Ann R-T Boulder Cookie Lady
This wasn't my first stay at The Oread, nor will it be my last. Took a friend to his first KU game at Allen Fieldhouse, sadly he was a CU fan ( the game didn't quite go as he wanted). We had a terrific stay and not only enjoyed our stay, but the staff was friendly and efficient, Steve and Spencer at the bar are top notch, and Spencer is a font of sports knowledge. Can't imagine staying anywhere else in Lawrence.
Beautiful hotel (still feels new), right at the end of Jayhawk Boulevard - perched atop a hill with great views in all directions. Valet park for a day rate of $5. Nicely appointed rooms, in all categories. Hotel sits on Mt. Oread, so the views are great. Has rooftop venue spaces and full conference center, all the services to go with that. Various dining outlets and a unique boutique, for the KU fan who already has everything. The coffee may be Starbucks, but the baristo is a coffee/tea master who has the confidence and credentials to make each guest a customized drink, to perfection. This hotel is a must see, even if you don’t stay the night.
We recently spent 3 nights in one of the most unusual hotels I have ever experienced. It is located next to the campus of the University of Kansas which assures it of a full house on football weekends and most of the basketball season. Frankly more bads than goods about the place. First the building is as ugly a structure as I think I have ever seen, clad in cut limestone without so much as a nod to the many handsome limestone buildings on the "traditional" campus. Inside the halls, lobby and all public rooms are clad in the same cut limestone. The halls are generally dimly lit resulting in the building feeling line you are entering a mine without the proper safety equipment. The rooms are quite large, probably with an eye to converting them to studio apartments next to the campus in the event the place fails to produce a profit as a hotel. The bathroom is enormous in size with a singularly strange layout. The only towel rack is located a good 7-8 steps from both the shower and the sink. This forces the user to store towels on the sink counter, or on the toilet grab bar when using the shower or make a dash across the room dripping water all over the floor. I ordered breakfast using the room service door hanger, which would not hang so I took it to the front desk. Half an hour after it was to be delivered I went to the front desk to inquire about it and a full hour after that wonder of wonders a miracle happened and the breakfast arrived. The hash browns potatoes appeared to be deep fried Tater Tots but I was too hungry to complain. The problems concerning room service breakfasts was solved by the hotel simply not providing the necessary door hanger on either of the two subsequent days. The good - close to the campus on the site of the Rock Chalk Cafe where Virgil and Jeannie used to dispense cheap beer, cash checks, and sell fairly greasy hamburgers when I was an undergraduate. Oh, the room rate for non game days is reasonable. There is a Starbucks in the lobby and apparently as a consequence there is no coffee machine in the rooms, except on request. I requested one and the coffee packets were promptly delivered but a 2nd trip to the front desk was required to get the coffee machine. However, the next day a 2nd coffee machine and no coffee packets appeared as if by magic in the room. There are two outdoor bars, one on the 5th floor and one on the 9th which is accessed by stairs from the 8th floor where the elevator ends. Both were subject to Kansas's famed winds and cold when we were there. However, I admit the view of the campus is quite good, at least on the few non-windy, non-hot or non-cold days available in the local very fickle weather. The bad or at least quirky all of the rest.
Restaurantji Recommends
I would not recommend this hotel on college game dat as an older couple. Unfortunately we didnt see that until arrival. Very crowded. Hotel is nice with a full service bar. The stone decor is nice, hotel is clean, and the staff is friendly.
The Oread staff was helpful and was able to accommodate our group for an extra night so that we didn't have to switch hotels. The room service breakfast was great (and reasonably priced)! Short walking distance to KU campus.
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