Element by Marriott Bentonville

The free EV charger was the main reason I picked this hotel, and I'll stay here whenever I'm in Bentonville. We were visiting family, and the things to see around Bentonville were just a few minutes away. The location was also handy for I-49, though we didn't hear traffic. We stayed Dec 29-Jan 1 and got a studio upgrade since few rooms were occupied. It was clean, comfortable, quiet and dark at night, with a kitchenette, full-size fridge, dishwasher, cookware and what we needed to make and eat meals. The staff were friendly and courteous, from the manager, who could teach hospitality, to the woman making breakfast, whose conversations we enjoyed. Breakfast had made-to-order items and homemade salsa. The manager also offered champagne and snacks for New Year's Eve, plus bottled water for the road. I hadn't known much about Element Hotels, and was pleasantly surprised.

The bed wasn't very comfortable, which was the one downside. Still, the staff made the stay really enjoyable. Elsa at breakfast deserves a special mention: her French toast was amazing, everything was clean and the food was great. Her warm, engaging conversation made mornings feel more like eating at a restaurant than having a typical hotel breakfast, which I usually don't enjoy. The room was spacious and clean, with wood floors that felt much cleaner than carpet, plus a microwave, fridge and coffee maker. This was my second stay, and the staff were friendly and welcoming each time I saw them.

Elsa's breakfast is the reason I keep coming back. She makes it to order with fresh ingredients, and it's the best breakfast in town. The rooms are great too, usually with a kitchenette and desk, fantastic beds and nice finishes. It's a short commute to anywhere I want to go in Bentonville or Rogers. My favorite place to stay in Bentonville!

We booked a room with two beds and a sofa bed for our group, but the sofa bed listed in the reservation wasn't there when we arrived. The front desk said they were sold out and couldn't help. Friends staying at the same hotel had a room with a sofa bed and offered to switch, but staff wouldn't allow it. Their answer was to “just book somewhere else.” Reservations apparently aren't accurate, and nobody made a real effort to fix the problem. Service was terrible from start to finish. For this price, that was frustrating, and I wouldn't stay again.