Residence Inn Austin Northwest/Arboretum

I travel here for work often and switch between the Courtyard and Residence Inn. Both have their advantages, but the staff at this location stand out. They get to know guests, use people's names, and start conversations beyond the usual “how's your day?” Those little things matter when you're traveling alone.

We came to visit UT Austin and had a very happy stay. The hotel was clean, breakfast was great, and the staff were really friendly. Carmen Sanchez was especially wonderful: polite, courteous, and helpful in resolving our cancellation issue. We'll stay here on our next trip to Austin.

This had potential because the location is great, but I won't stay here again. The whole hotel smelled strange, and my room had an unpleasant odor that I put up with for a few nights. I photographed the A/C vent, which looked like it had never been cleaned since the hotel opened. The poor indoor air quality and dust were too much.

The bathroom had visible mold and filthy grout, and there was dirt on the furniture. The room was a sweltering sauna when I arrived, with the thermostat set to 85 degrees, and it took hours to cool to a livable temperature. The front desk employee acted like helping me check in was a bother, speaking in a flat monotone with no interest in assisting. Even in the parking lot, seeing a mobile police surveillance tower made me feel I'd made a mistake. I've stayed at many hotels, including lots of Marriott properties, and Residents Inn Domain was the worst I've experienced. The outdated photos and overly generous reviews don't prepare you for it. This place badly needs a corporate review and doesn't meet basic Marriott standards. Save yourself the regret and book elsewhere.