Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Alexandria Landmark

I stayed here with my brother and was glad I picked it. The customer service was excellent, everything was clean, and breakfast was great. I’d absolutely stay again next time I’m in the area.

We got in late, and the front desk was kind and accommodating. The room was clean and spacious, and for the price it was great, even if it wasn’t fancy. There’s also a great gym on the first floor.

I’ve been sleeping in my car for about a month because of problems at home. I use my Marriott points sparingly to get one decent night of sleep and a shower each week. Until tonight, Fairfield Inn & Suites Alexandria West/Mark Center had felt welcoming. This was my third stay, and I had to check out at 4:34 a.m., less than six hours after arriving, with my last points gone. I’m back to sleeping in my car outside the hotel. At 4 a.m. I woke up struggling to breathe because the room had filled with weed smoke, and I’m allergic. I blocked the door with a blanket and turned on the A/C, hoping to clear the air. Then I went to shower and found there was no hot water. When my eye started turning red, I took my things to the front desk. The hotel was sold out, so I asked for my points back since I’d only checked in at 10 p.m. The clerk said he couldn’t do it and would have to refer it to the manager. I asked him to note on the receipt that he’d left the manager a message about my refund request, but he refused. Apparently Marriott values points over guests. I’m in my car again, having an allergic reaction, and have lost the points I needed to go somewhere else for a decent night’s sleep. Thanks, Marriott.

The hotel itself was great, but the included breakfast at IHOP was the worst part of our five-day stay. It was lukewarm at best, there was a major language barrier with the waitress, and getting anything else felt like an act of Congress. I’d go to Barnside Diner down the street instead.