Lipstick on a pig?
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 1/5/11
In all fairness, the SpringHill Suites in Flagstaff, AZ is a very nice *looking* hotel. The rooms (2 queen beds for us) are spacious at first glace. Walk-in closet, sofa and desk work area, nice modern bedding and inviting in-room color scheme.
However, there is very little wiggle room between where the flatscreen tv stand (when you aren't hitting your elbow on it) is and the corner of the first bed. Same goes for the bed nearest the windows/heater; you have to inch your way to move around. The longer we stayed in the room (granted, we only stayed for one night just to sleep during a roadtrip), the more I noticed the stains on the walls in the bathroom and near the sink. I'm a huge advocate for workers rights and wage increases, but what kind of employee misses cleaning HUGE coffee stains off of the wall and table?!?!
Next, I was shocked to notice just how LOUD the hallway is. The walls are so thin and voices carry so loudly that it felt like complete strangers were having their conversation in our room! I'm sure part of this is attributed to how rude people are when they're traveling (I was on the road for 3 weeks, so I should know!), but it's obvious this hotel had a humongous makeover, but wasn't renovated/retrofitted as is befitting a hotel of this status. What I mean to say is that most Marriot hotels are in the top cost category. Call me crazy, but is it so wrong to expect a reasonable product for our money???
Lastly, the continental breakfast offered is kind of a joke. The food is absolutely edible, and the eating area is alot larger than other hotels. BUT, trying to eat at a decent hour (8-10am) was absolutely impossible! It was like a cattle call - every single guest from each floor had to get their waffle and juice at the exact same time! Not only were the guests the problem, but there was only one employee (poor guy) who had to clean and replenish the entire area by himself!
I really don't think it's at all unreasonable to expect a clean and quiet room, with a bit of breakfast included in the morning, and adequate parking near your room. I usually stay at other hotels near Beulah when passing through Flagstaff, and I'm really unsure as to whether or not I would stay at this SpringHill again. As I said before, this is a nice looking hotel, but a few too many cons for a few extra Mariott rewards points/the price of one night.