Griffin Gate Marriott Resort & Spa

Lexington, Kentucky

Swimming pool and gardens
King Room
Guest room
Hotel exterior
Swimming pool and gardens
King Room
Guest room
Hotel exterior

The hotel

With its roots firmly in Bluegrass Country, this golf and spa resort’s wrapped in a landscape dominated by equine delights and Kentucky Bourbon Trail sights. Before you reach them, you’ll pass the hotel’s 18 hole golf course; designed by Rees Jones, son of legendary golf architect Robert Trent Jones, it comes with the near-mandatory 19th Hole, where breakfasts and light American lunches are served. Dining elsewhere at Griffin Gate Marriott Resort means prime steaks and seafood at JW’s, coffee and pastries at Starbucks®, and poolside refreshments at Top Deck. The pool bar accompanies the swanky outdoor pool and patio, but you also get an incredible indoor pool to swim in, with stunning views through its dramatic glass wall; and they’ve even thrown in a full-service spa for good measure.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool
  • Valet parking
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Laundry Service
  • Internet Access
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Restaurant

Where is it

In the Griffin Gate area of Lexington, not far from the Downtown district, the hotel is around 6km from Explorium of Lexington, with its interactive children’s fun, 8km from Kentucky Horse Park, and 15 minutes’ from Keeneland Race Track. It’s also close to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

Hotel information

409 rooms and suites on 7 floors. All with air-conditioning, LCD TV with cable channels and premium pay-per-view movies, WiFi access*, alarm clock, telephone, coffee maker/tea service, hairdryer, and iron and board. Cribs, play yard, and rollaway beds available*. Guest Rooms with 1 king-size or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.

JW’s Steakhouse (steak and seafood menu; breakfast, lunch and dinner). 19th Hole (American light bites menu and bar; breakfast and lunch). JW’s Lounge (American appetizers, cocktails, and Kentucky bourbon; lunch and dinner). Starbucks® (with free WiFi). Top Deck (poolside snacks, sandwiches, and drinks, seasonal; lunch). Room service* (6.30am-12.00am). Local restaurant dinner delivery*. Outdoor pool (seasonal). Indoor pool. Whirlpool. Patio with fire pit. The Spa at Griffin Gate* (full-service spa with beauty salon and barber, steam room, and children’s and couples’ treatment options, reservations required). Fitness centre. Griffin Gate Golf Club* (18 hole golf course designed by Rees Jones). Sports court. Tennis*. Concierge. Babysitting service*. Valet/dry-cleaning services*. Laundry facilities*. Gift shop. Vending machines. ATM. Safety deposit box (at front desk). Complimentary WiFi. Valet parking* and self parking* (payable locally; subject to change).

This hotel has a resort fee of $15 plus tax per room (per day (payable locally, subject to change)

Resort fee includes: - Bicycle storage - Internet access

*Denotes local charge

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (402)
  • Very good (280)
  • Average (155)
  • Poor (66)
  • Terrible (40)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Not a Five Star Resort

Jul 28, 2021 lloubemus Dayton, Ohio

I travel frequently and have never been so disappointed in a hotel. It was dirty, construction occurring, no room service, only breakfast to go available, and not a spa resort. They charged a lot for amenities that aren’t available. We paid extra for resort fees, extra for the on-site spa services and extra for access to the concierge level… Read more
I travel frequently and have never been so disappointed in a hotel. It was dirty, construction occurring, no room service, only breakfast to go available, and not a spa resort. They charged a lot for amenities that aren’t available. We paid extra for resort fees, extra for the on-site spa services and extra for access to the concierge level (which wasn’t even open). I will not trust the Marriott star rating after this experience. I would not have ranked this hotel higher than a 2 star compared to my other experiences. At check in we were given a letter of apology for their service adjustments, lack of services and staff. We should have left at that point. We visited many places in Lexington that had good services and plenty of staff. The general manager’s letter said, “During this time our team is committed to paramount importance.” Importance of what? It seemed charging the highest price for the worst hotel was the goal. Do not stay here! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Wait to visit until reno completed

Jul 27, 2021 Kaydee M Washington DC, District of Columbia

I would recommend NOT visiting until the renovation is complete. It looks like it will be beautiful, but is really operating half-staff and every area is affected by the renovation. The pool is open, but also being renovated and there is ugly construction fencing everywhere. Definitely not the relaxing stop on our road trip that we were hoping… Read more
I would recommend NOT visiting until the renovation is complete. It looks like it will be beautiful, but is really operating half-staff and every area is affected by the renovation. The pool is open, but also being renovated and there is ugly construction fencing everywhere. Definitely not the relaxing stop on our road trip that we were hoping for. I booked through the Marriott Bonvoy app and there is no mention of ongoing renovations, so it feels like a bait and switch. They should at least give their club members a heads up that it is not really a resort feel right now. Additionally, it’s clear that there aren’t many people staying, but there was no room upgrade and the balcony we paid extra for looks out on the construction! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Absolute Dump!

Jul 20, 2021 log24 San Diego, California

One star for the Tesla charging station. Zero stars for everything else. I’ve stayed at many Marriott properties that were under renovation but none have been in such a dirty and dilapidated state as the Griffin Gate Marriott. Dusty elevators with garbage strewn about, rear sidewalk with dirt piles on stairs and zero lighting at night, and exposed… Read more
One star for the Tesla charging station. Zero stars for everything else. I’ve stayed at many Marriott properties that were under renovation but none have been in such a dirty and dilapidated state as the Griffin Gate Marriott. Dusty elevators with garbage strewn about, rear sidewalk with dirt piles on stairs and zero lighting at night, and exposed concrete and drywall everywhere. Concierge lounge closed since it looks like hoarder moved into it. At check in we presented a letter from the general manager who promised to make things better after a previous bad stay yet received nothing out of the ordinary. And they bought a bunch of bicycles and parked them out front so they could slip in a $15 nightly resort fee. Such a joke. Housekeeping staff blared music in the rooms while they were working. If they’re up and at it I guess they think guests should be as well. Stay anywhere else but this place. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Awesome!

Jul 19, 2021 ChesBayGirl

The staff at this hotel is truly fabulous! We had an awesome time! Sure, there is construction going on, but it didn’t hinder our visit at all! We had a blast! The breakfast in the lobby is free if you have the concierge lounge included in your room. Breakfast was really delicious, and the coffee was awesome. Our complements to the chef! I like… Read more
The staff at this hotel is truly fabulous! We had an awesome time! Sure, there is construction going on, but it didn’t hinder our visit at all! We had a blast! The breakfast in the lobby is free if you have the concierge lounge included in your room. Breakfast was really delicious, and the coffee was awesome. Our complements to the chef! I like the clean look of the renovated rooms and balconies. I do wish there was more than one chair on the balcony though. We ordered pizza through door dash from West Coast Gourmet Pizza, and I t was the best pizza we’ve ever had in our lives!!! I very highly recommend it!! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating THE WORST

Jul 18, 2021 Richard K New York City, New York

12 night stay - could not have been worse. The standard reply by “Josh” to each of the many negative reviews doesn’t begin to explain the staff’s terrible attitude. Hostile front desk and a staff that’s at best apathetic. Explain that Josh.