Fairfield Inn Hays, Hays

Hays, KS is approx half way between Denver and Kansas City on I-70. Having stayed at this property before, it adequately represents and feels like other Fairfield Inns. Due to their affiliation with Marriott Hotels, Fairfield Inns (at least this one) has a policy that is deeply disturbing. We had made a guaranteed reservation two weeks prior to our intended stay. Our overnight stay was an August Saturday night before school starts……a busy travel weekend. When we arrived at 10 p.m., we were informed “the computer” had malfunctioned, our reservation overbooked, and our reservation was directed to a“mom & pop” motel near downtown Hays. When it’s 10 p.m. in Hays, KS, and you’ve just been bumped from your reservation, your options are very limited. The local mom & pop hotel the Fairfield Inn had re directed our reservation just happened to be the same price as the Fairfield. A minimal amount of questioning immediately dropped the price by $25 / night. The room had an air conditioner that sounded the same as tennis shoes in a clothes dryer. This, coupled with hourly trains a few blocks away made for a very difficult night. Our only solitude was the all night Walmart that sold heavy duty ear plugs. A follow up conversation with the Fairfield manager revealed that no, there was no computer problem with our reservation. By policy, members of Marriott’s top member club are given priority on the spot at Fairfield Inns over other reservations…..even if your reservation was guaranteed, made days or weeks earlier. Bottom line, if you get bumped from the Fairfield like we did, your options are to keep driving, or head to Walmart for the heavy duty earplugs.