Roadboy Tries Tru

Refined Minimalism

With the strength in the hospitality industry of late, chains are expending incredible energy to precisely target various market segments. So whenever I can I try out new hotel concepts to spot trends.

I credit Starwood for kicking this all into high gear when it hit a home run with its "W" chain. W introduced a brash, irreverent and high energy vibe to the stodgy tired American hotel industry. They followed it up with "W Lite" (Aloft) and the Element brands.

Lately Marriott and Hilton have erupted in a frenzy of new concepts. Edition, H, Curio, Tru....

Some of the branding has been internally concepted, some has emerged via acquisition (i.e. Marriott's acquisition of Europe's AC Hotels) and some by curation (Marriott's Autograph and Design or Hilton's Tapestry properties).

I've been sampling a number of the new offerings and some have left me invigorated (France's Citizen M) others completely unimpressed (Marriott's Moxy).

Last night I tried my first Tru by Hilton in Murfreesboro Tennessee. And, after a 2 night stay, I'm happy to report they got a lot right in this new, economy priced, brand.

Public Space / Fitness

The Tru lobby feels more like a college student union than a hotel lobby. The round reception / registration desk is a convenience store. 

Fido will find bowls with welcome biscuits and fresh water.

 Tru's Welcome Island

There was a pool table, popcorn machine and a big variety of colorful seating options. Some seating is configured to encourage conversation the rest to discourage it. The overall vibe is colorful and unabashedly trendy in a mid-century modern retro kind of way. I predict a short shelf life.

Tru's fitness room was well equipped (compared to other hotels in this price range).

Guest Rooms

Rooms are compact and close to perfect for a single or couple.

Room Finishes

Surfaces are hard. Floors are wood grain laminate (clean, doggie friendly, noisy). Walls are vinyl. Ceiling is gyp board. The room would benefit greatly from the addition of an acoustical ceiling treatment to soften room noise.

Bed

The bed and linens were perfect. 

Room Furniture

No space consuming desk in this little room, instead you get a curvy chair with swing-out tablet surface for writing or eating.

 The Rolly Chair

No dresser either. There is just a long narrow wall hung counter with shelf below. It holds the huge TV and offers a place for your wallet and rooms key. Next to the bed is a little red bongo table for your glass of water and hovering over the AC unit is a metal and lattice strap thingie. Space under the pedestal bed is configured for a suitcase or computer bag.

Closet

Nope. Closets are disappearing all over. Here there is a pipe rail with some hangers. Below the pipe is a flat laminate surface where you can set a suitcase. And under that is a small refrigerator (like it). 

 The "Closette"

Lighting and Power

Tru's Electrical Engineer gets an A+. The room had ample lighting placed exactly where it was needed. It was easy to figure out too. Outlets were plentiful and placed above counters (no moving the bed to find the one overburdened outlet).

Bathroom / Shower

The bathroom is just right. It offers a decent, well lit mirror. The shower is prefab (fine with me - no mildew in grout joints). The shower temp valve is placed so you can turn on shower water without stepping into the shower.

 Bathroom

Hooks

Lots of big hooks to hang stuff.

 Hooks!

Noise

The one negative is noise. Both in the room (hard surfaces and the noisy through wall AC unit) and between the rooms (energetic amorous neighbors equaled a steep volume increase on HBO last night).

Tru Minimalism - No more - No less

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