Distrikt Hotel, Pittsburgh

A Curio Collection by Hilton property, the Distrikt Hotel, Pittsburgh provides guests with a convenient and upscale spot to stay in the city.

Easy to find and with convenient valet service and a self-parking option, the property is situated in the Salvation Army Building, built in 1924. The exterior reflects the building’s past, but the interior — save for the dining options, The Whale, in the former gymnasium, and Evangeline, in the former chapel — has transformed into an altogether modern and aesthetically appealing space. In the lobby, unique furnishings blend contemporary and classic styles, while a colorful plant wall covers the far side of a seating area, near a large, glass-lined staircase to the second floor.

The 185 guestrooms over 10 floors are spacious and my king room provided lots of area to spread out. Families traveling with a child or extra adult could easily stay in this room style, with its large bed, seating area with full-sized couch and floor space for an additional cot or pack and play.

The style is minimalistic and heavily features black fabrics and dark woods. The only complaint I found with the guestroom was a half-empty bottle of water sat on the media center, overlooked by a busy housekeeper, and the bathroom was slightly cramped. The tight space between the toilet and subway-tiled rain shower meant the shower door scraped the edge of the toilet seat each time you opened or closed the glass door.

Easily, the shining point of this hotel is its rooftop terrace. I was thankfully located on the 10th floor and I could access it conveniently. The terrace is open 24 hours a day to hotel guests and includes a spacious area with several seating arrangements, so multiple groups of guests can lounge without feeling they’re imposing on one another. The terrace offers great views of the surroundings, the iconic Pittsburgh bridges and the river. It’s an excellent spot to visit during the day for a few photos and a cup of coffee, or to relax with friends at night, as you take in the surrounding lights with a cold brew (as several guests during my stay did).

As far as amenities, the WiFi is free and the rooms provide plenty of spaces to charge your devices. A Keurig coffee system offers your morning pick-me-up. The dining options are wonderfully stylish, serving up farm- and fisherman-to-table fare heavily lauded on OpenTable, winning a 2018 Diners’ Choice Award.

While overall, the hotel isn’t terribly well-suited for families with young children, it’s an excellent choice for those with one or two older kids, or adult families traveling together and looking for a hotel that offers not just a great place to sleep, but multiple enjoyable environments to socialize as well.