Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Bend Downtown

The friendly, helpful, hardworking staff are what make this place stand out, alongside its modern, spotless feel and excellent buffet breakfast. We came back for a second stay after enjoying the first one, when we'd chosen the hotel for convenience. It's inexpensive and well placed near the freeway for an easy drive to nearby skiing, across from the relaxing Pioneer Park, and a short walk along the river trail to downtown coffee shops and restaurants. We'll be back many times.

The reviews gave me high hopes, but this place was awful. The beds were hard and stained, the bathrooms hadn't been cleaned, and the hot tub was murky with only one working jet. I told the front desk, and the woman couldn't have cared less. The people running the hotel seemed like they'd rather be anywhere else. Kids screamed and ran up and down the halls until 1:30am. We left a day early. So disappointing.

The evening was quiet, the staff were polite, and breakfast was good. I had the quiche and some bacon. I stayed one night on a business trip, and although the room was on the small side, that was no problem for me on my own. There's a nice park across the street for an evening walk.

The suite was clean and tidy, and the staff were friendly. Breakfast was the letdown: the sausage and “quiche” were dry, while the “scrambled eggs” fell apart into powder. It felt like a standard “Marriott basic” breakfast put out without much care. That was the only weakness during my one-night stay.