Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on December 11, 2024.
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We are lucky to have many hotel options available in Pittsburgh, with several neighborhoods offering great accommodations for visitors.
Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood, home to college campuses like the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon, is one such neighborhood. For those looking for a high-end experience with luxury at every corner, a stay at The Oaklander is a must as it offers lovely amenities all while being steps away from the highlights of the neighborhood that gives the hotel its name.
We got the chance to stay at this one overnight as guests of the hotel and had what may go down as arguably one of the best experiences we have had at any Pittsburgh hotel to date!
The Oaklander Offers All the Comforts in Oakland
From the moment you walk in to The Oaklander hotel, you are greeted with an elegant style that you’ll feel at every turn on the property.
You’ll first see the hotel’s on-site recording studio, Rock ‘n’ Oak which gives a nod to the historic Syria Mosque venue that once stood nearby and held acclaimed performances from the likes of Louis Armstrong, John Philip Sousa, Miles Davis, The Who, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, and many, many more. After, you’ll take the elevators to the top floor for check-in with one of the best views of Oakland in the hotel’s lobby.
We were fortunate enough to stay in one of the King Studio Suites at the property and loved all of the special design touches throughout the room. The massive bed was centered in the room, with a desk and small working area behind it, and wrap-around windows thanks to the room’s corner location (but more on that in a moment).
Apart from the fact that the bed is one of the most comfortable we’ve tried in the city to date, perhaps what we noticed about the room was something that was missing- noise. Despite Oakland being one of the most bustling neighborhoods in the city, and our room faced the busier streets, we noted just how quiet our room was apart from an errant horn honk here or there. While this may have been aided by the fact that we were on the highest floor of rooms (the 9th floor), it was something that did catch us by surprise.
Other details of the room were also just as striking, with the bathroom being equally spacious and included a full soaking tub as well as a walk-in shower and ample room to move about, and a small couch seating area was offset away from the bed for more areas to relax.
If you are the kind of traveler who values comfort, The Oaklander really did not miss a single detail here!
Upgrade to a Room with a View
For those who like a room with a view, you’ll do well to look into the King Studio Suites or King City View Rooms available at the property. While we briefly mentioned the view above, we wouldn’t be doing the hotel justice if we didn’t dive in a little deeper here.
The King Studio Suites typically have some of the best rooms with views of Soldiers & Sailors or the Cathedral of Learning (and in a few rooms, both!). These rooms typically end in 01 and 28 and have varying views depending on the floor you’re on.
If you are lucky enough to score room 901, you may even get views of both iconic buildings in one of the best angles on the entire property. We were able to stay in this amazing room and were able to see the Cathedral of Learning, Soldiers and Sailors, and even Phipps Conservatory off in the distance. It was truly a breathtaking view that was only rivaled by the restaurant above it.
Truly one of the best hotel views in Pittsburgh!
The front side of The Oaklander has several rooms, and the King City View Rooms (typically ending in 02-04) also have a stellar view looking out over Soldiers & Sailors hall and parts of Pitt’s campus at an angle. These may come in at a slight premium compared to regular king rooms, but if you are looking to splurge for a room with a view, these (or the suites) are a must to consider.
- Note: Marriott’s booking system is unique in that it highlights rooms with views listed either as “Univ Pittsburgh view” or “Soliders&Sailors view” which we appreciate. That said, as with all things, we only have experience in one room (901), and views in other rooms may vary.
Plan for Drinks and a Meal at Spirits & Tales
The Oaklander experience doesn’t just end at your hotel room. Their on-site restaurant, Spirits & Tales, is a must to round out your stay be it for drinks at happy hour or a full meal.
The reason for this is simply- Spirits & Tales is the kind of spot that goes beyond being a conventional hotel restaurant and is a destination dining spot in Oakland in its own right. Located on the 10th and top floor (the same as check-in), Spirits & Tales takes all of the best parts of the premium rooms with views from above and adds a modern American dining experience- with a view, of course.
The bar program at Spirits & Tales has a full selection of beer, wine, and spirits, but true to name is strongest in its cocktail program. This one runs the spectrum of flavors with delightful takes on classics (like their Spirit of the Oak Old Fashioned with a private select Maker’s Mark Bourbon) to seasonal creations during our visit like a spicy Dragon’s Breath (with mezcal, chile ancho liuquer, luxardo, lime, and habanero bitters) and more.
On the food side of the menu, the restaurant features inventive and seasonal small plates, entrees, and sides. During our fall visit, we had the likes of homemade labneh, search scallops with house kimchi and plum, and a wagyu burger topped with raclette cheese and caramelized onions with truffle fries name a few.
Suffice it to say, whether you are visiting The Oaklander for a meal at Spirits & Tales, an overnight stay, or a bit of everything, a comfortable and relaxing experience will be in your future.
As far as hotels are concerned, this one offered one of our finest stays yet, and we really cannot wait to check this beautiful hotel out again!
The Oaklander is located at 5130 Bigelow Boulevard in Oakland. We were guests of the hotel for this review. As always, all opinions are our own. To take up to 15% off standard hotel pricing thanks to our friends at The Oaklander, click here.
