Clarion Inn & Suites Dothan South

I’m furious that I paid $250 for a buggy room and can’t even shower properly, with no hot water and no towels. I want my money back, but I doubt that will happen when I can’t get basic amenities. I originally booked two days in a handicap accessible room because I couldn’t find anything closer to my Physical Therapy with that access. There were bugs as soon as we got there, but we tried to make do. The dryer in the laundry room swallowed $3 in quarters. The front desk guy wouldn’t exchange my dollar for quarters or come check the machine, and told me to wait until tomorrow to get my money back. I had to extend by two more days. I asked for towels and toilet paper and was told room service would come by, but three hours later nothing had arrived. The internet had also been down for an hour, the hot water lasted only two minutes, the shower head was broken, and bugs were everywhere.

For the price, it was a good stopover. The location worked well, with Walmart nearby and the town’s “late” night restaurant next door, since most places close by 9pm. It’s close to the highway but we didn’t hear much traffic. Everything seemed clean, which was reassuring after seeing mixed reviews. No bed bugs, roaches, mold, or musty smell, and the air conditioning and heater both worked. The darkening blinds were handy for keeping light out. The bed was comfortable, though the pillows were awful, tiny and barely padded, more like sofa decorations.

Book at least 7+ days ahead if you can. That got me a good rate, which was decent compared with local prices. The night woman was very friendly, and the morning staff stayed behind the desk but paid attention. The breakfast used to be better, with someone looking after the hot buffet. Now it’s a hot continental spread, mostly starch and dairy, with coffee. My room still needs repairs: a main light, more bulbs, outlets closer to the bed for phones, and a shelf in the mable/quartz plated shower.

The staff were friendly, and the room was very clean, so I think the current maid service is excellent. The location is convenient for us, but we won’t come back. There was no hot water, not even a lukewarm shower. Our first room had flying insects everywhere, and I found bed bugs when I checked the mattress. It also smelled like someone was actively smoking weed in there. We moved to another room, which had no coffee pot, and then found there was no hot water there either. On our last stay the coffee pot didn’t work and there was no hot water as well, though we thought that might have been an isolated incident.