Hotels in Cincinnati

Breathtakingly beautiful hotel! Our room was on the 29th floor, so we had an absolutely phenomenal view! Great service and friendly staff. The only issue was with the elevators. We we're staying as part of a conference, and since we were on the top floor, it was impossible (due to everyone checking out at the same time) to take the elevators down for check-out. After waiting for quite awhile, I decided...

Great place to stay or even visit. French Art Deco buildings like this are rare, and that one is fully a Hilton is more rare. Perfectly modern? No. The rooms are fine, although some can be small. The bathrooms and closets are small too. But that's the charm of this place. It's allure is stepping back in time, with mail chutes, opulent dining rooms, older styled elevators. The observation area...

The hotel was very nice but the room wasn't at all what I expected. The room was very thin meaning the wall was too close to the foot of the bed making the room feel cramped, there was paint chipping in several places, the bathroom lacked a vent for steam or sound privacy, and left me relatively underwhelmed overall. That being said you could definitely get your money's worth if you plan on using the...

This is the most beautiful bar in Cincinnati. It's an art deco treasure that everyone visiting Cincinnati should visit, especially with their happy hour specials. I had a dirty Martini that was reasonably priced and quite good. My fiance had a grilled cheese sandwich which was delicious and a hot toddy that was equally good. All the while a jazz duo was preforming. It was a lovely experience. I would...

The classic Art Deco architecture exterior and beautiful interiors in its dinning areas, bar and 3 ball rooms. Excellent, top shelf taste in dinning service and wait staff at your attention. A perfect local to celebrate something. Among the best food in Cincinnati at one of the best hotels too. Just visit to gaze at the decor. You'll return.

The Good: This is quite the historic property with an amazing art deco decor throughout the entire property. Speak to the staff for further knowledge, they are happy to tell the hotel's history. It quite amazing. The BAD: THE ROOMS ARE HORRIBLE! I get it, the management has kept the original vide and design intact throughout the entire property but when you pay the amount per night requested I expect...

Awesome location close to the stadiums and entertainment district. Valet parking only with self serve close by. My room desperately needed a makeover, but it was maintained and clean. My bed was amazingly comfortable and the fridge came in handy. Front desk staff were excellent. Update your rooms Hyatt.

Pros: customer service is excellent all interactions were amazing, rooms are clean . I had one small issue and housekeeping just happened to be on my floor when I checked and they took care of it immediately. 24 hour market, restaurant looked good . I only sat at the bar and had French fries. Breakfast was not complimentary but it was crowded and I could wait to be sat. Walking distance to all stadiums...

It was a Friday night in October while in Cincinnati, when our travel was interrupted, requiring us to make a hotel reservation ... fast. We tried the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati. They informed us they had one room available. We booked it. When we arrived, we found that there was major construction going on in the area. We used the valet parking. I wish to give Nate, who parked our car, a shout out for...

The location is great. The rooms are appealing. But the cleanliness leaves much to be desired. I had a dry, crusty rag from a previous guest in my shower and there was also hair. Housekeeping does not do a good job. The front desk agent didn’t seem too concerned. The room was booked through my job’s corporate account, so I’m not going to cause trouble, but for future guests. Check the cleanliness...

Been a Hyatt guy for years, usually the regency’s are top notch with no complaints. However my bathroom in this had mold all along the edges, and the red bacteria on the walls. Smelled like musty old towels too. Unfortunately didn’t have another room to give me which I totally understood, but offered to send house cleaning next morning to clean it. Housecleaning never arrived and I was back in room...

The little market had some things we were able to use and the breakfast sandwiches were very good. We also enjoyed the pool. The hotel was clean and comfortable.

We’ve stayed here several times and this was the first time we had a view of Fountain Square. That was really nice.

The stay so far is going great. The staff is attentive to all of our needs. The rooms are big and spacious. Update: The pool was very dirty with hair in the pool and on the pool deck. The wooden chairs were also dirty. Everything else with this hotel was ok.

Right in downtown Cincy, just a stone's throw from all the major ball parks. The room (1336) was really nice. We had a huge rain shower head with a hand wand in the bathroom. The indoor pool/gym area was nice and clean. Everything was clean and the staff was friendly. The building is very secure so don't forget your card key. It was a bit pricey, but that is what happens sometimes.

The hotel was newer and in nice condition. Nothing was special about it except the location. It had some great views of fountain square. The staff wasn't rude, but didn't seem to care if we did business there or not. Not much effort was made to earn our business.

We enjoyed our 5 night stay although computers went down at check in which took about 2 hours but they gave us free drinks in the lobby bar. My husband had a begger ask him for money upstairs in the lobby while waiting on our room(he shouldn't have been able to get that fair into hotel) and the last thing was the shower head had calcium build up so not all holes worked and water pressure was really...

The room is very nice. I was upgraded before I even arrived. Staff very nice. Room very clean and the shower is AMAZING!! I would recommend this hotel to anyone in Downtown Cincinnati.

The staff was fine if not a little uninterested. The room was absolutely lovely! Location wise, you couldn't ask for better; a wonderful view of the Cincinnati riverfront.

Incredible! I was there for a corporate sales meeting. The entire staff was helpful and attentive for the entire 3 day stay. They treated everyone as if they were the only guest. The rooms are beautifully decorated and the bed was like sleeping on a cloud. Even though it was a work trip, the staff and accommodations made it seem like a retreat! I hope we hold next year's meeting there, as well.

My sister had her wedding reception here, and my family (as well as many neighbors and relatives) stayed at the hotel the night before and night of the wedding. It's very conveniently located if your wedding takes place in downtown Cincinnati. The staff was extraordinary. The venues and facilities are very nice and clean. The celebration was beautiful and flawless.

Very nice higher end type hotel. Room is spacious with modern clean look. Also quiet and well maintained. Ample number of valets on duty to get your car quickly. Front desk staff are courteous and professional. The bar happy hour is nice and located in their restaurant.

I visited the restaurant for a work lunch. The restaurant was a pleasant surprise. There were the usual tables and chairs, but also couches with plump pillows for a different dining experience. The food was wonderful. Wait staff was very attentive and friendly. Highly recommend dining there.

The room was spacious and very clean, modern amenities, everything was great. The building itself is beautiful and the details well preserved from the building's majestic early days. The renovations to the bathroom have left the shower subpar. I've noticed this in other recently renovated Marriotts as well. For example, the glass door doesn't shut properly and allows for water to spray out even when...

One of the best hotel experiences I've had. Very friendly staff. The young girl with different colored hair has the best personality I've ever encountered. Also the young pregnant lady. All staff went above and beyond. Very clean rooms and awesome breakfast.

Great downtown location at a reasonable price. Lobby is a little dated but rooms are a notch above and comfortable. Great value for price.

Room was nice with fridge n microwave in design of the room. Bathroom vanity has little counter space. Breakfast buffet was good. Staff very accomodating when I needed to print a document n change room away from elevator.

Great hotel! Came here after canceling my reservation at a different hotel that was completely awful. I was not disappointed with the Quality Inn. Beds were comfortable, parking and breakfast free. A good night's sleep. I would come back here.

Busy weekend in Cincinnati. Free breakfast was quite substantial... Eggs, sausage, waffles offered as hot foods and the usual cereal, breads, muffins, as well as juices and coffee, tea, milk and fresh fruit. Some front desk staff were very on top of things others less so and seemed to have less customer service skills than expected?

The room was nice and clean. There was a large amount of empty space which made it feel a little odd. The AC worked beautifully. The breakfast was good with the standard selection. Didn't like the parking or the location.

This hotel was a fun and unique experience! We had a great time exploring the decorations and furnishings! They are located extremely close to the zoo and the Newport Aquarium! If you are looking for something out of the ordinary I highly recommend this hotel! We will definitely be back!!!

I have never stayed at such a fun hotel. The vibe was 70s-80s with lots of color and fun items. There was a pool table, bar, and OVERSIZED PENCIL! The room has similar vibe of 70s-80s. It’s right on campus and about 10 min walk from the zoo (the Christmas lights were awesome!). Great experience and they are dog friendly which was awesome as my pup was with us!

Nice clean place. The decor is totally why you should stay here! My daughter loved it! It was fairly close to the hospital so it made a recovery night after leaving the hospital after surgery very nice and easy. The pizza from the restaurant was pretty tasty, the crust could have been better, but seems like everything is made on site.

Pros: good location if you're visiting the university. Convenient parking. Weird but unique decor. Cons: small bathroom, door opens into the shower. No fan. Lack of outlets. Elevators frequently out. Good attempt at a retrofit.

This is one of the coolest looking hotels I’ve ever stayed in. Loved all the kitschy decor over the walls in the room and throughout the property. The employees were extremely welcoming throughout my visit. Parking in underground garage was secure and easy to get in and out. Breakfast items are made to order in the lobby, and what I had was delicious.

I went to visit out of town friends that were staying here for a wedding. The hotel was nice and well maintained, rooms were in good shape and there was plenty of space for several of us to get ready at once. It's in a nice central location, would recommend it for anyone who visits Cincinnati.

My husband and I stayed here 1 night and had the best time! Check in and check out went smoothly. We were told at check in that the restaurant, bar, and gym were closed due to construction and we were given vouchers to get drinks at the hotel next door. This wasn’t a big deal, because there are plenty of excellent restaurants within walking distance to the hotel. The front desk also sent a complimentary...

The Cincinnatian Hotel is located in an awesome spot for anyone coming to Cincinnati for a sports game or business trip. The staff is extremely attentive, and want to ensure you have the stay that you paid for. The prices are a bit steep, however well worth it due to the location and at home feeling your given while staying. Your within walking distance of all the stadiums and around 50+ bars and restaurants

They were under construction but handled it with class. This is a very historic building and I hope that when they're finished they highlight the excellent details of the original building. As far as the hotel goes, everything was excellent. I would highly recommend this place.

LOVED this hotel room. We had a King size bed, very spacious room, no carpet which was AWESOME - you can see the floor is clean! A powder area right outside of the bathroom, huge jacuzzi tub and shower combo. Really clean open room. Will stay here again hands down.

What a cool hotel! It's being renovated and looks like it will be extremely gorgeous and unique when it's all done. Caught a great price on Priceline and the room was great! Very comfortable bed, modern decor and very clean.

This Hotels currently undergoing a renovation which means that they did not have a bar or restaurant in it. They also did not have room service because of this. But that didn’t make my stay terrible. The staff was so friendly and helpful even during the renovations. The reason I chose this hotel was for their executive suite because it had a very nice bathroom. The bathroom was definitely worth the...

Amazing, quirky, loved it. Staff were very friendly and helpful, especially Betty going above and beyond explaining best places to see and how to get around.

It is a bit expensive but the experience was well worth it. I like its location in Cincinnati, because of how close it is to the arenas and easy to get to some of the attractions such as the zoo and the Waterfront. Staying at the hotel was very nice. we enjoyed the art museum, the great food, and the friendly staff who were prompt and making sure our needs were met. They do include other things such...

What a cool hotel! Lots of art here to take in. Very cool old building that has been transformed to a modern design. Staff goes out of their way to help. Incredible restaurant here too! Unlike any hotel I have stayed at. I will be back.

This was my first stay at a 21c (three day trip) and the hotel is amazing. I really enjoyed the art. Food was excellent at the restaurant, although a little limited in what they offered; both drink and food wise (but no real complaint). The room was clean, standard amenities, king with sitting area, but the bathroom was wonderful. Staff was helpful and cordial. The area of town is an odd mix of people...

Casual but chic hotel, very friendly staff, convenient location. Double queen room is very spacious, particularly bathroom, great amenities. The only thing I don't like about it is there is no laundry room for their guests

I only stopped by momentarily to see the rooftop bar. It was very tranquil up there, with a decent view. I was told to try the gin and tonic but I wasn't able to stay long enough to place an order. It has been highly recommended to me though by a couple of friends who allegedly don't even like gin. Downstairs is also an art gallery, which is free to view and could be worth a visit by itself if that...

Very clean and nice hotel. Everyone working there was incredibly nice and helpful. Only downside was the price and added cost to valet. Total for the room with valet was $365 after taxes, but it was New Years Eve. Highly recommend, but not at that price point. We did see Goose, what a show!!!

We had a decent stay at AC Hotel. The lobby and rooms seemed modern and updated. Lack of parking other than $40 valet was unfortunate. I mostly booked this hotel for the rooftop bar and the outdoor space with fire pits promoted in the photos on Google; I was disappointed to hear after I checked in that the rooftop bar was closed and all the fire pits that normally were in an outdoor space off the side...

We had great stay here. Our room was nice and clean but very basic in terms of in room amenities. The hotel itself is beautiful and all the staff we encountered were lovely. The roof top bar is really great. Looking forward to another stay!

Beautiful hotel in a great location. Great views. The rooms are very nice. I would recommend taking a room that is not on Freedom Way as it can be very loud at night. Fitness center could be a little bigger but is adequate. The staff were very professional. Many restaurants in walking distance. Within walking distance to National Underground Railroad Museum, Paul Brown Stadium, and Great American...

The hotel itself is beautiful and the view is amazing!! The rooms are okay, they could probably use some updating and the cleanliness of the room was okay. The girl who checked me out was so friendly and had great customer service. I would definitely stay again if I'm ever in the area!!

I’ve stayed at this hotel on at least five separate occasions for work and it truly is a shining star within the Hilton portfolio. Well-appointed rooms with modern finishes, hospitable staff, and a hot buffet breakfast. Whether you’re coming to see a football game, explore the city, or take care of business, this hotel provides spacious and quiet rooms to rest and unwind. Not to mention the location...

The photos online does not give these rooms justice. The space between the beds and TV and in the Bathrooms for a Double Queen Bed is large enough to easily wheel two wheel chairs side by side. The Bathroom had hand railing for easily access to enter and exit the tub/shower. The sink had very high clearance to wheel under the sink to take care of your hygiene needs. The space between the toilet and...

Outstanding service by all hotel staff. If there were ever a wait in a line, the staff handled it well and provided quick efficient service. My room was extremely clean and had everything I needed. I was nervous about the elevators from previous comments however they are working to get this resolved and honestly, the waits weren’t that long! Everyone these days are in such a hurry and just need...

Hotel was nice and clean. Staff was very nice and it was within minutes of places we were going. The price was good for the type of hotel. My only problem was they charge for parking. I would stay there again next time I'm in town.

Location was great, walking distance to everything I needed within downtown. The room was clean and service great.

Nice setup and VERY roomy. Super comfortable bed. The complimentary breakfast was pretty standard, but I'll stay again next time we're in town.

Great hotel! Rooms are a little dated, but it is clean and the staff is very friendly! Every room comes with a full kitchen, including a full sized fridge and a stove. We had an issue with a rental that we booked while staying in Cincinnati for the weekend and the staff at The Phelps helped us to get a last minute reservation and check in after 9pm. Raven, with customer service was so friendly and...

This is not your average Residence Inn! Historic building in an excellent location, with fantastic amenities. The staff are super welcoming and nice. The spread at breakfast is phenomenal with all kinds of protein options plus a waffle bar. The room decor is a bit outdated, but super clean and spacious! Love my stays here.

We had a wonderful stay. The suite was clean and very nice. We had a hot breakfast each morning. Debbie and Tasha in the kitchen did a great job providing the hot breakfast each morning. Eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns. There was fruit, yogurt, cereal,juice and hot coffee of course. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Would gladly stay there again. Thank you.

I am a Lifetime Platinum Elite who has stayed nearly 900 nights at Marriott properties and this is without a doubt the best Residence Inn I have ever stayed at. Visually, the property is beautiful inside and out. The staff greets you with "Welcome home" when you arrive and then actually treats you like they're glad you're there! The rooms are very nice and much larger than the usual Residence Inn...

We were out most of the night, so we didn't spend a lot of time in the room. We had room 1112 and it was fairly clean except for some obvious pieces of cereal on the floor. Other than that and the wear and tear on the cabinets/furniture it wasn't a bad place to stay. Staff was super friendly and helpful.

Excellent bed, extremely comfortable. Plenty of space. Has everything but an oven, but why would you need that here? Hot shower with plenty of space and good pressure. Room does not cool very well, but we were only uncomfortable at first because the heat was set very high. Regardless, would very much like to stay there again.

Loved that is was close to Hard Rock for our concert. Even though there is a great restaurant in the hotel, we were able to walk to different restaurants and felt safe doing so. The staff was great and the property was very clean as expected! We will stay here again!

Overall good hotel. Staff was friendly and rooms were clean. Beds were stiff but nothing else to complain about.

A few blocks from the casino but a nice walk. Can get lost if don't pay attention. The motel was friendly clean and if ya don't know to use your room key at elevator you can be there for a few wondering why not moving. Swipe card it moves. Room service a bit a pushy to get into room before you check out . Wasn't comfortable with that part. Nice place to stay.

Jacob and staff were amazing. I was assisted in getting a room after traveling more than 5 hours and leaving a cheesy hotel. Jacob was waiting for me to get there, after my son called and told him I was in need of a room. I was one stop away from sleeping in my car. Thank you Holiday Inn for hiring such a thoughtful staff.

Great stay very clean and quiet. Hours of kitchen are very few and listed both online and in signage saying the hours, but the kitchen closes after breakfast until 4 and again at 9. Everyone was great. Shout out to Nick at the bar.

We enjoyed a nice overnight stay here with our family of four. The location is nice, being located within walking distance of much of downtown including the OTR area. The building is relatively fresh and modern, and we especially enjoyed the indoor pool. The rooms were spacious enough for our family, though there were a few letdowns including a broken TV remote and a tissue box with only one tissue...

Wow. If you're looking for a convenient, affordable stay in the uptown/University Cincinnati area, choose this hotel! It's incredibly conveniently located with tons of restaurants nearby, many open late. The rooms are great - nice bedding, microwaves, great hot showers - and if you get an upper floor, really nice views of the city. But best of all are the people who work here. Everyone from the front...

We stayed here because our child was having major at Cincinnati Children Hospital. The rooms are nice but you can hear your neighbors. For some reason, I had to use the A/C in Dec no matter how low I turn the heat on. Overall good location with lots of restaurants near by.

We stopped to visit my son. The accommodations were nice; but very noisy. The shower was really nice. It was ovetpriced; but maybe because of University students arriving. It was convenient to where we were visiting, and gnarly to get to. We were on our way to Columbus Ohio for a wedding. The complimentary breakfast was terrible. The service was good.

A great stay! The front desk staff was so kind and helpful. Comfortable beds, two elevators that work quickly, the gym fitness center area was newer and relatively updated which is always nice. We didn’t have a car, but as others mentioned, we heard another guest talking about the complexities of parking so you may want to check that out beforehand if that’s a make or break for you. The rooms felt...

My child had an early appointment at Cincinnati Children's Hospital so it was a really close and convenient drive for us. Room was comfortable and beds were very comfy!

Room was fine. Hot shower. Noisy at night with a whining dog nearby and kids screaming. Convenient to UC campus. BEWARE: There was a $9.00 parking fee that you are made aware of when you check in.

Great experience. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. The room was very clean however the air conditioner wasn't as cold as I'd hoped. Near the college and with lots of eateries near the hotel. Laundry room was clean and affordable priced at $1.50/ wash. Had a wonderful time. Ps. The sausage links were under cooked.

It's cute. Really close to University of Cincinatti campus. I didn't care to much for the breakfast, but it's in walking distance to a bunch of amazing food options!

The service was wonderful. We somehow ended up in a suite which was very clean. Easy access to the concert venues. The breakfast was one of the better hotel breakfasts I've ever had. Highly recommend!

Standard king room is nice and spacious but walls are paper thin. The bathroom and shower are enormous. The bed was super comfy with a variety of pillows to chose from. No mini fridge in the room was kinda disappointing. The free breakfast was pretty standard stuff...hit stuff could have been a little warmer though. Great location for walking to places around the university.

I was assigned a suite and it was very spacious. Rooms were very clean, though you can still hear the cars on the nearby highway. The TV inside the bedroom couldn't connect to YouTube, Netflix, etc., but the TV in the living room could.

Great location near our destination. A little overpriced, but very convenient. Parking included as long as you are willing to park your car in nearby garage.

Nice staff, clean rooms. Coffee was a complete hassle, this should be an easy one. Why do I have to choose between garbage powdered creamer in my room, or waiting in line for “Starbucks” in the lobby, and then they ran out of drip coffee at 9am? 2 staff members trying their best, but overwhelmed by demand. Quit trying to be fancy and/or squeeze every dollar out of travelers. Just put some big urns...

The conference room was extremely cold. The banquet mgr- forgot his name, but he was extremely attractive to our every need. Only issue was the front desk was not very helpful with one of my colleagues was flew in from Geneva. He has a very thick French accent and they could not understand he was looking for the conference room for P&G. It was a Thursday and not very busy. The conference room was...

Hotel & staff are great, and the location, with all the restaurant options right there, is amazing!

I cannot attest for the rooms, but I would have no doubt they are great. However the food is awesome. I have gone for lunch and they have a pasta bar where they cook your pasta of choice with the ingredients of choice right there. The rest of the buffet is tremendous. Very attentive.

The employees (Ms. Pat and Vivian) were so friendly and personable! The room was super clean and comfortable. Unfortunately we didn’t get up in time for breakfast but grabbed coffees on the way out. Loved that the hotel/parking lot was off a side street so it was super easy to get in/out. Would definitely stay at this hotel again!! ❤️😊

good location, accommodated our needs. put us in a handicap accesible room nice to have separate toilet from shower rooms.

The suite is clean and spacious. The beds are comfortable. However, there are no restaurants nearby. Their location is too close to the freeway. The coffee in the lobby is either empty or cold. The dining room ambient temperature is on the cold side. Their hot breakfast has a nice selection of food. But I find the eggs overcooked and rubbery. This hotel is not worth the price.

Staff have been helpful each time I've been here. Location is super convenient for work, so nice bonus there. Breakfast isn't amazing, fitness center is a little small and ceiling is very low so a tall person on an inclined treadmill wouldn't work. The bathroom set-up in the rooms is also very odd and a bit inconvenient for a single traveler, but I sort of get it?

Staff was very polite and professional. I was on a short notice trip from Florida for my father's emergency surgery and they made my stay as stress free as possible. The facility was extremely clean and the room I was staying in had everything needed. The continental breakfast was a nice start to the day. I would recommend this location.

Very nice rooms. No in hotel restaurant. Needs better soaps and shampoo. Kind of crummy soap and shampoo. Could use another trash can. Very good customer service. Decent breakfast.

Very convenient downtown location. Valet is $30 per day so I used attached parking garage for $15. Beware garage does not have in and out priviledges. 1st floor entrance is ugly but once you get to the 2nd floor lobby for check in the hotel is beautiful. Great fitness center.

Great location right in the downtown area. Not to far from the airport as well. Kind of an odd split situation with this hotel sharing another Hilton property. Friendly staff, clean rooms, and social hour is always nice. The HVAC is a little noisy, but not terrible.

Could've had a nicer room for only $20 or so from the Millenium. Our view was the side of a building. Decent breakfast and very friendly front desk people.

Good hotel staff. Very helpful. Only complaint is with the valet. They keep changing my radio settings. I think they should leave the radio alone.

Great room. I got a king suite, which came with a full kitchen. It worked great for hanging out before going to the Red Sox v Reds game.

The front desk staff could have been a bit more customer friendly. The room was nice. The young lady running the kitchen was very warm, and friendly. She made my stay more enjoyable, with her engaging personality.

Loved the location - not too far from the airport, shops, restaurants and cafes nearby. Kroger, Starbucks, etc., just 5 mins away and easy parking. Front desk was efficient, super easy to check-in and the process took literally 2 mins. Polite, super professional and welcoming staff. Rates were good, much better than Downtown and it was quiet and felt homey. Have stayed here a few times now and this...

Easily accessible right off of the 275 loop, plenty of places to dine nearby in the rooms were clean and very spacious

Rooms were clean. Staff is nice. The breakfast looked plentiful. The outdoor pool is nice and it's located next to a lot of food options and gas stations.

It was a nice motel for the most part a continental breakfast was extremely good it was pretty much basically a full breakfast with eggs sausage and sausage and biscuits and pastries and toast and on and on and on. The rooms were clean but my room did have a smell to it but I could not figure out what it was. But all in all it was a good stay

We arrived a little before check-in time (2:30) and knew our room might not be ready. The front desk staff was very cheerful and started checking to see if our room was ready yet. It wasn't and they asked us to return in 15 minutes. When we returned, it still wasn't ready. They explained they had been completely full the night before because of our Jimmy Buffet concert and that a little bit too much...

The price was high because it was the July 4 th weekend. Everything wasn't perferct but it was close. The area had just about everything place to shop or eat, gas stations . In fact I'll stay here again especially if they lower the price. The breakfast was delicious and clean eating area. The surrounding area of motel grounds were clean and felt safe. The staff were friendly and helpful .