Although Tallahassee is home to Florida’s State Capital building, it’s the state’s collection of post secondary schools that really make-up the urban center (Florida State University – FSU, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University – FAMU, and Tallahassee Community College). These schools help foster a young urban feel in the city. Families looking for an urban escape in Tallahassee will love the Aloft Tallahassee Downtown for these 7 reasons; 
Image: Aloft Tallahassee Downtown
LOCATION
. Whether you’re hoping to visit the Downtown Market or Cascade Park’s Imagination Fountain within the city or explore the natural wonders like Wakulla Springs located on the doorstep of Tallahassee, the Aloft Tallahassee Downtown offers a perfect starting point. 
INEXPENSIVE PARKING. We live in an urban center and have travelled to many cities for vacation so we have come to expect high parking fees when staying at a downtown hotel. The Aloft Hotel offers two outside lots (good for those with larger vehicles who will have trouble fitting into an underground lot) and the fee is only five-dollars a day.
THE VIEW. With limited seating in our compact king room (there is a desk chair), relaxing meant lounging on the bed. It’s a small thing but I loved having the window as our view at the end of the bed versus to the side of the room like most hotel rooms. It may sound funny but the window placement does change your perception of the room. Of course the view outside of the window was worth the gaze.
The brick facade of St. Johns Church with its Spanish moss laden trees fronting it had me forget I was staying within an urban center. If you do stay at the Aloft Hotel I would recommend requesting a room overlooking N. Monroe Street.
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#familytravel checked in to @alofttally and loving the view from our room. Just look at the Spanish moss hanging from the trees. #floridaroadtrip
CONNECTIVITY
. Travelling with kids does bring with it specific hotel needs, one being the availability of family appropriate channels on the room’s television. Aloft Hotel is very tech friendly offering a desktop box that enabled guests to view items from their smart device on their hotel room’s television. This meant the kids could watch a movie from their iPad or perhaps catch a show on Netflix (if you have an account). The hotel can even help you with connection cables if you happen to have left yours behind. 
COMPACT & URBAN. The compact design of our king room felt very urban and was perfect for the two of us. The kids’ adjoining double room has a little more room making it perfect for a family of four. Every part of the space was designed with purpose. The window-side wall housed a continuous piece of furniture from end to end containing a desk, bench, television space, and table. The straight line helped to keep the room from looking too small with chunky furnishings.
I think my favourite feature has to be the shower stall in our room. One whole wall was frosted glass that looked out into the sleeping area. This let natural light in during the day (ambient room light at night) without exposing yourself to the room occupants. Ingenious!
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#familytravel Great design for the @alofttally shower. The frosted glass panel in the room is one wall of the shower letting in additional light.. Doesn’t feel so much like showering in a bathroom. #floridaroadtrip View on Instagram
The only issue I had with the room’s layout was having the open concept bathroom area right be the room’s entrance. It’s not really an issue just make sure you’re not hanging around half dressed in this area when your spouse (or housekeeping) walks in. Fun and Funky Lobby. The compact urban design was felt beyond just the rooms. As so as you enter the hotel you are greeted by a circular reception desk that is pulled out into the room versus backed against the wall. This felt much friendlier and it also gave room to the onsite grab ‘n go kitchen in the corner.
The kids loved the lobby lounge with its pool table (no quarters required) and all sorts of funky seating. There were even outlets located in the various tables for those wanting to catch-up on some work or charge their smart devices.
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#familytravel We can’t pass the @alofttally lobby without playing a game of pool. Such a fun feature at.this hotel. #floridaroadtrip View on Instagram
WXYZ LOUNGE
. You won’t find an onsite restaurant at the Aloft Hotel but there are so many great dining options in the city that this really isn’t an issue. I did like coming back from dinner to grab a handcrafted cocktail in the WXYZ Lounge located in the Hotel lobby.
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#familytravel Ending the night w/a game of pool and a sweet tea and vodka in @alofttally’s wxyz lounge.I think I’m a little obsessed w/sweet tea cocktails. #ihearttally View on Instagram
This was a nice way to unwind before heading back upstairs and the kids had an excuse to play another round of pool.
GO FOR A SWIM. Speaking of pool, you will find an outdoor pool just off the lobby but we were so busy on our visit to Tallahassee that we never had a moment to take a tip. It is a nice feature for families though. The Aloft Hotel in downtown Tallahassee gives families hoping to experience a little urban vacation the perfect stop.
Thanks for the folks at the Aloft Hotel Downtown Tallahassee for their hospitality during our visit.