Clarion Inn & Suites - University Area

The rooms could use updating, but they were very clean, and the staff were pleasant and helpful. The price was great. One odd thing, and not really a complaint, there are no vending machines at all. I'd stay here again.

The main problem here is maintenance, or the lack of it. The exterior door maglocks don't work, a bathroom light was out, a room door was missing its jamb latch, the ice machine was broken, and an exterior light was out or simply not there. And on and on. The clerks were okay at check-in and checkout. I've stayed in two different rooms on two separate visits. Both were clean, with comfortable beds and decent showers.

The young woman who checked me in was very nice. I hope she finds a better hotel to work at, because I'm sure she deals with plenty of complaints. There are quick food options nearby too, including Perkins and a vintage Friendly's. Still, unless you're desperate for a “cheap” room, look elsewhere. There are better options around, and I can't believe my company is paying over $250 per room here. On a non-demand, non-holiday weekend, I'd guess they're usually about $60-75. The building seems to predate elevator requirements, so ask for a first-floor room if you don't want to haul everything up the stairs. Watch for the many potholes and mud puddles in the lot. The room smelled like stale popcorn. The wallpaper, carpet, and bathrooms were old and worn, in the bad sense of vintage. There were wallpaper stains, dead bugs, and mold in the bathroom. I also saw dog crap by the stairway door. I didn't take a picture, since I don't photograph poop unless it's Sasquatch poop, and this definitely wasn't. Still, it says something about the kind of people staying here.

The one bright spot was the staff, who were super nice and accommodating. The room we got on the second day was a little less smelly, though not much better otherwise. We were there for two nights for graduation, and this was the worst hotel we've stayed in. It was old, worn down, filthy, and felt dangerous. The smell was awful throughout. The steep stair tiles were broken, the tubs were slippery, the toilets didn't flush right, and doors didn't close properly. Our door had no peephole, so people could see right into the room. The carpets were stained and the beds weren't good. The parking lot smelled of urine and backed up to industrial facilities where trucks park overnight. The odor was so sickening I considered sleeping in my car in that urine-filled lot. The lobby and entire first floor smelled horrific, so we avoided them when we could and didn't eat breakfast. They moved us to another room on day two, with little improvement beyond less odor. I booked through a third party because we couldn't find the hotel's direct phone number. I'll write Clarion Corporate to ask for money back for these awful accommodations on what was meant to be a fun weekend.