Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Charleston Downtown

The staff we met were great and seemed to be doing the best they could, but the construction is still going on. The room itself was finished, though the lamp fell off the wall when I tried to switch it on. It felt cramped with the huge wardrobe and the fridge tucked inside another wooden box, which made it hard to reach. Parking was rough: cones blocked the handicapped spaces, the ramp was far from the entrance, and it wasn’t clear where to go in. Breakfast choices were limited. The coffee was cheap and didn’t taste good, though it was hot.

We were relieved this was only a one-night stay. There seemed to be a plumbing problem: a plunger was left in the hallway, and we soon needed it because nothing would go down. I never found the grab-and-go breakfast, and by then I didn’t care. The mattress also slid around on its platform whenever I got in or out, though the shower was nice. Getting in was stressful from the start. The tiny parking lot was confusing and had valet service, with so few spaces that I couldn’t park my own car easily. I had to ask where the lobby entrance was because boxes were everywhere. Renovations meant uneven floors, workers in the walkways, strong paint smells, and other safety hazards. At check-in I waited about two minutes to be acknowledged, then got a dry response. It might be a nice hotel when the work is done, but in its current state I wouldn’t want to stay longer.

The room was standard, the mattress and pillows were comfortable, and the staff were nice. The door was unbelievably heavy and blocked noise well. I was on the top floor, so I didn’t notice any construction noise. Breakfast was only granola bars, yogurt, and fruit, but the price was very affordable. It’s not walkable. The platform bed is a bad design. I like to sit up against pillows, but the mattress slides down when I shift around. Gripper strips on the platform would have helped. There was no channel guide, so I had to scroll through everything. It also needs USB ports on both sides of the bed, and the bedside bulbs were too bright.

There were cockroaches, and the construction was very much in progress, with exposed wires in the elevator. It was okay for one night, but expensive for what you get, and I wouldn’t have wanted to stay longer. Breakfast wasn’t really a meal, just yogurt and similar things. Maybe the hotel will be better once the work is finished, but be aware of the current condition. On the plus side, the area felt safe, the rooms were decent, the staff were friendly, and valet parking was available. Getting anywhere on foot takes a long time.