Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Batesville

We found bugs crawling on the ceiling, and I started wondering whether the sheets were clean or if it was safe to sleep there. There were dirty towels already hanging in the shower when I went to take one. When I called the desk, they asked why I hadn’t checked first. They had no clean towels or another room available. This was a business trip, as usual, and there aren’t many places to stay in the area. Each of my earlier visits was bad or worse too: dirty rooms, no towels, poor service, and disrespect. Inconvenient, bug infested, and a sorry excuse for a big hotel chain. They should just close it.

The breakfast was included, and the sausage gravy on a biscuit was great, as were the scrambled eggs. I forgot to note the coffee brand, but it was really good. I found the hotel through Expedia while in the Ole Miss area for a conference. The room had a cool, almost Art Deco look, a huge desktop for my laptop, folders, and books, and a stylish bathroom with a glass shower. Jamari, a student at Ole Miss, welcomed me warmly at check-in and explained the layout and amenities. Thanks, Jamari, and good luck with your studies. As Marriott's motto for its Fairfield chain says, "Beautiful, simple, stay."

The hotel was so dirty that even my kids commented on it, and the whole third floor smelled of marijuana. I told the front desk and was promised a call from a manager, but nobody called. Three days later I called back and spoke with April, who was very rude and said nothing could be done. I had asked for the manager, so I’m not sure why you say I didn’t know whether I was speaking with the manager or GM. The bigger problem is that you’re a terrible general manager. I’ve emailed corporate and reported the way you spoke to me on the phone. If I could give zero stars, I would.

During an already difficult bereavement, we had to cancel and find somewhere else for our family and out-of-town guests. I’m grateful we found a property that confirmed accessible rooms clearly and handled the arrangements professionally. At Fairfield Inn & Suites Batesville, the manager told me directly that an accessible room would NOT be reserved for the family members who needed it [isn't that illegal?!]. Accessibility is essential for their safety and dignity, and it needs to be confirmed in advance. Communication was inconsistent, with delays and disconnects, and staff didn’t seem able to give confident assurances about accessibility. I also had to call several times, including Marriott International corporate, to get verbal cancellation confirmations because no written email confirmation was sent. I’m sharing this so others can make informed decisions. I value clear communication, reliability, and excellence, and Fairfield Inn & Suites Batesville doesn’t have them.