Residence Inn by Marriott Costa Mesa Newport Beach

The staff are genuinely lovely, and the location is clutch. We keep coming back because Airbnbs nearby are unicorns. With kids, the space and facilities are handy: full kitchens, a pool and hot tub, basketball court, grills and outdoor spots to hang out. Breakfast is passable, but the kids like it, which can be enough at 8 a.m. The rooms are the weak point. They feel sterile, with bare walls and dated furniture, and some pet-friendly ones smell like cat pee. That’s rough after paying a $150 non-refundable pet deposit, especially since housekeeping only comes every other day. Parking is $15 a night for an unsecured open lot that also serves as overflow parking for the ramen place next door. Bold choice. Right now, the staff, amenities and convenience carry the place more than the rooms do. Get rid of the pet odors, rethink the parking charge and add some warmth, and it could be a 4 or 5. For now, a solid 3 with room to grow.

The food was really poor: the bagels had mold on them, and the scrambled eggs weren’t fully cooked. Our room also smelled dirty, the carpet had holes, dust was piled about an inch deep along the baseboard, and the tub wouldn’t drain. On Saturday morning, construction started in another unit and we could hear it from our room. If I’d still been asleep, I’d have been furious. That’s not what I want to wake up to on vacation. We were disappointed from the lobby onward, especially for what they charge.

Angie Robinson was so kind and understanding when I arrived much later than expected. After checking me in, she arranged for a hotel security guard to escort me safely to my room because it was late. Thank you, Angie, for such professional service. Hope you enjoy that extended holiday abroad with your boyfriend 🥂!

My Marriott Bonvoy account shows only 6 nights, though we were there for 13, and that needs correcting. We were relocated to this hotel without choosing it, and the stay was disappointing from the start. The food was bland and low quality, and it often didn’t look clean or appetizing. We skipped it a lot because it didn’t seem fresh or hygienic. Cleanliness and service were poor too. The room and shared areas were dirty much of the time, housekeeping barely came, trash was left behind, the bathroom wasn’t properly cleaned, and the hallways often smelled bad. It felt like they did the bare minimum, if that.