Residence Inn Cedar Rapids

The staff were helpful and nice, and the location is great, but the hotel’s age really shows. They have signs on the doors saying renovations will start soon, yet for now the place feels badly neglected and is in desperate need of repairs. My room was disgusting and falling apart: crumbs, cereal, and flakes covered the furniture and surfaces, the seats were all a little broken and uncomfortable, and the wallpaper was peeling at the corners. The outlets were too loose for a charger, the bathroom grout was broken and let water seep through, and the couch had a broken spring and a sunken seat. Everywhere I looked there was more debris. They didn’t even have oatmeal at breakfast, which is the one thing I look forward to there. The walls, carpet, fixtures, everything is old.

We were traveling with children while temporarily relocated because of lead abatement at our home, and the stay was stressful and unsanitary. In our first room, Room 211, I found a live cockroach and trapped it myself. The front desk said no other rooms were available until the next day and wouldn’t give us cleaning supplies, so I put our belongings in trash bags and kept them raised off the floor in the bathroom. Once we were moved, the second room was worse: the mattress was visibly dirty, with sweat stains, what looked like urine stains, and possible bed bug residue. With children there, this was completely unacceptable. After we raised the issue and said the conditions didn’t seem to meet Linn County health standards, we were asked to leave. The Linn County Health Department has since been notified. I’d strongly advise families, especially those with kids, to reconsider staying here.

I only stayed two days before moving to another hotel. The first room was covered in dog hair, so they changed it quickly. The next room was better, but still not great. The hotel needs updating, including new furniture and carpet.

We come back to Cedar Rapids once or twice a year to visit family and friends, and this Residence Inn is always a pleasant stay. Amy at the front desk deserves a special mention this time. She was there for our check-in yesterday and again when we came down for breakfast this morning. Several items had run out, possibly because breakfast was nearing its end, so Amy stepped in to cook or heat more food and extended the breakfast hours for everyone. She’s clearly committed to the guests and her employer. Marriott should be grateful to have her. Thanks, Amy!