WoodSpring Suites Charlotte - University Research Park

Sabrina at the front desk was great when I checked in early. The room, though, was dirty, and I had to wipe everything down. The bath was dirty, the phone had nasty residue and didn't work, and the remote was sticky. There was food or drink splattered around the walls and dust on them too. The kitchenette had no dishes or soap for washing any dishes I might bring. There were just two pillows, a thin blanket and a thin sheet. I asked for two more pillows, but they said they had none. I asked for another blanket, and the night desk worker got one so I could use it as a pillow. Luckily I had another blanket in my car to cover it. There was only one towel and no washcloths. The front desk didn't answer when I called, and neither did the after-hours phone downstairs. I called a number and asked a man for two towels and two washcloths so I could shower. He was rude and said they only did that in the morning, as if I was supposed to go to bed dirty. When I said it was an emergency, he got an attitude. He forgot to hang up, and I heard him saying unkind things to someone. He came down mumbling and angry, then gave me two towels and two rags, all dirty. There was hair on the rags and all over the towels, plus a black mark on the rags. Later, I really needed to use the bathroom near the workout room, but was told guests weren't allowed to use it, so I had to go all the way up to the third floor. There are no ice machines. The customer service was awful apart from Sabrina. I would rather have stayed at the Red Roof Inn. This place has nothing, isn't accommodating, and made for a miserable stay.

My wife and I stayed here to see Charlotte, and I was impressed for an extended stay hotel. The staff did as well as they could to keep things clean and in good shape, and our room was clean and ready for us. It's clearly meant for longer stays, not specifically for vacationers or people just visiting. There are signs everywhere against smoking and similar activities. I can see why some of the negative reviews seem a bit thoughtless, but I did notice smells lingering in the lobby or elevator. The walls also don't block much noise, especially at night. Those are my only two complaints.

The place is generally clean and quiet, and the staff are helpful, especially Larry and Sabrina. I didn't see any bugs, which surprised me because that's a common problem at many extended-stay hotels. Sometimes guests leave trash in the stairwell, but staff clean it up promptly.

I was planning to check in, but what I saw in the lobby made me uncomfortable. A woman at the desk had someone on speakerphone and was acting irate. A guest near me said there was a public record of this employee being involved in some kind of theft. I don't know whether that was true, but it was concerning. I stepped outside, then came back and was greeted by Sabrina, the same woman. The man who had also seemed to be working there was no longer at the desk. Sabrina looked upset and flustered, so I smiled and told her to take a breath, that today would pass and tomorrow was a new day. She looked at me with raised, half-slanted eyes and said, “It’s OK, I’m gonna take care of that girl.” That bothered me. I changed the subject and asked to see a room. It was usable, but there were stains all over the walls that looked like they might come off with a magic eraser. I also heard another couple arguing down the hall, and the overall feeling was bad, so I decided not to check in. The hotel is just off an interstate. The room they showed me was at the back and very noisy; I imagine the front side might be quieter, but I can't say for sure. I was only there about ten minutes, so I can't speak to other employees. Please be mindful of professionalism. Even if a guest is difficult, staff need to stay professional. From what I saw, this guest hadn't done anything that seemed to warrant Sabrina's reaction. If she didn't do it, she could have left it at that. Acting irate or talking about taking care of someone won't help. Focusing on herself would. Have a good day.