Residence Inn by Marriott San Jose Campbell Hotel

It was really noisy, with traffic from the busy road outside and people walking overhead. The people above me happened to be checking out at 5:30am and took their time walking back and forth. I should’ve read the reviews first. The shower barely had any pressure, more like a leaky faucet, and I don’t like the drive-up-to-the-door setup. It makes a hotel room feel like a storage unit with a bed. The place feels like a relic, and unless you enjoy shivering while getting dripped on, I’d look elsewhere. I’m a bit of a Marriott snob, and after arriving in rainy, cold San Jose, I was ready to warm up. Instead, the room was 57 degrees. It took over 60 minutes for the heater to get it to 68, and it was loud while working hard. That gave me plenty of time to look at the "well-loved," rundown furniture.

The property seems to have been looked after well, and it’s a cool reminder of the original Residence Inn idea. There are multiple small "residences" on two levels, all along an outdoor corridor connected to a working chimney. Many newer locations have become high-rises or single large buildings that may not resemble houses at all, so this one feels like a time capsule. I hope they keep it up for years and don’t lose the franchise. The room was on the second level, with a high ceiling separating the upper bedroom from the lower bedroom and living room. The living room has a pull-out bed, and there are two restrooms, one on each level. The fireplace and chimney work, and tools are provided for tending the fire. Each section has its own TV, three in all. I also liked the teal colors. The rooms are clean and have full-size appliances, including a range, dishwasher, toaster, and fridge with a built-in ice maker. There are pots and utensils for cooking, but strangely, no frying pans. The pool area and complimentary grill looked clean too. It’s quiet at night, helped by the nearby residences, distance from highways, and a main road that doesn’t seem to create much noise. Check-in was easy, and the staff were friendly when I went to the small main building. They also have a few games there and free breakfast every morning.

The good parts were the pillows and the HVAC units. But the rooms feel much as they did 30 years ago, and are outdated. The old-style coffee makers only work with their coffee, the beds feel like plywood, and the old LG flat screens stay very dark for about 10 minutes before getting a little brighter. Breakfast isn’t up to par with other places. Parking is a nightmare if you have a truck or van because the lot is so tight. I found better deals nearby and thought this was pricey for what you get, though I used it because it was close to my medical needs.

The room was only mediocre, with Motel 6 vibes, and it wasn’t properly set up before I checked in. The door was already open. Wi-Fi wasn’t configured right either, and the system said a guest with my name wasn’t staying there. I tried calling the front desk, only to find the phone line wasn’t plugged in. After I plugged it in, I waited on hold for 10 minutes just to report that the Wi-Fi wasn’t working.