Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel rotunda dome. (All photos ©2018 by Doug Bardwell, unless otherwise noted.)

Looking for some help planning the perfect getaway with your sweetheart?  Want something affordable, but out of the ordinary?  The Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel has just the thing.

Dream about this…

Drive or Uber your way to 107 6^th Street in Pittsburgh (800-228-9290).  Feel free to drive, as valets will greet you at the door and park your car. Overnight valet parking is included.

Be amazed at the gorgeous lobby.  It’s only 110 years young and every bit as grand as the day of its grand opening.  Originally named for Robert Fulton, it later served as a WWII VA hospital and then as the very popular and infamous Heaven Night Club.

Stop at the reception desk for your keys, and proceed up to a lovely, river view room.

Still need a reason to get away?

Check out this interesting DIGITAL DETOX package offered by the hotel.

We stayed in room 923, a king room with magnificent views of the Allegheny River.  Spacious and comfortable, it’s the perfect place to put work and home cares behind you. Finely appointed, all the conveniences you’d expect are there along with luxurious robes in the closet and full-sized soaking tub with rainfall showerhead.

Before retiring for the night, we wandered across the street to the Roberto Clemente Bridge.  A stroll across the bridge enabled us to enjoy a lovely sunset over Mt. Washington.  Coming back, we enjoyed the nightly illumination light show of the Rachel Carlson Bridge.

Hundreds of couples “lock in their love” by attaching a padlock and throwing the keys into the river. But, I’m curious about people whose love is locked with a combination lock. Does that mean they are keeping their options open????

Day Two of our dream getaway

As we awoke after a luxurious night’s sleep, the big decision was breakfast-in-bed or dining downstairs. Having been familiar with their breakfast buffet, that wasn’t something I wanted to miss, so we went downstairs to Braddock’s Pittsburgh Brasserie.

As I’ve traversed the world, I’ve seen every kind of buffet. Most sound inviting, but are lacking in taste or selection. Braddock’s is the exception. Numerous entrée selections are hot, ready and waiting in silver chafing dishes, but they also have a chef preparing eggs, omelets and waffles. Bountiful fruit bowls, as well as yogurt selections, are also available. Everything except alcoholic beverages is inclusive of your package.

After over-indulging, you’ll be happy to know that you can go back to your room to rest-off the calories.

More you need to know:

The hotel is pet-friendly, and offers a well-equipped fitness center. Free wireless Internet is available throughout the building and unlike some others – it really works well.  If you know someone planning a wedding or an event, be sure to have them check out the wedding and event packages available here.

The Renaissance Pittsburgh recently was named 2018 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards Winner. In speaking with Allison, their catering sales manager, it’s easy to understand why. When you book your wedding, they give you exclusive use of some of the nicest spaces available for photos, for dining and for dancing. The hotel’s lobby is unlike any other, and can be set up with a dance floor. From towering historic spaces to sleek, brightly lit, recently remodeled ballrooms, there’s bound to be a space perfect for your occasion. They’ll even custom tint the lighting schemes to set the perfect tone for your event.  (Following photos provided by Renaissance Hotel.)

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For more information about Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel, check out their social media links:  Facebook   Twitter   Instagram

Disclosure:  We were recently hosted at the hotel, so we could take a tour and shoot photos for this article.  We were not paid, and opinions, as always, are strictly our own.