La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Dublin - Pleasanton

The hotel itself isn't bad, but customer assistance is poor and there are lots of electrical problems. A fire alarm woke me up, a false alarm, of course. When I asked about a refund, they said this happens normally at their hotel and gave me nothing. Then another alarm went off while I was having breakfast. If you want to sleep somewhere without knowing when an alarm might wake you because of fire-alarm risk, book here. Otherwise, run as fast as you can. Worst hotel experience I've had involving a fire alarm. I'm never staying again.

The room was comfortable and clean, with a mini fridge and microwave, and the staff were kind and quick to help. I booked at the last minute for Thanksgiving weekend and they still found me an accessible room. Breakfast is included each day, with juice options, waffles, cereal, yogurt, eggs, potatoes, and whole fresh fruit. I’d stay again, though I’d leave the fan off: it seemed to bring cigarette smell into my room, even though the hotel is supposed to be non-smoking.

The bed was plush and comfortable, and I slept well. Breakfast had most of what you’d want, with a roomy dining area, though I usually took my food back to my room. The location is good, the room was nice, and the hotel itself is good. My one real complaint is the front desk. I’m on work trips for 11 nights and stay at around 20 hotels over 200 days a year. Out of 24 times leaving or returning here, only one employee greeted me. Usually staff were seated in the back room behind the desk, on their phones. A brunette Caucasian woman greeted me three times; I told her she was the friendliest and thanked her. I give it 4/5 stars because I like being acknowledged when I come and go. This is hospitality, after all.

The fitness center closing hours are a dealbreaker for me. I’m an early-morning workout person and need to exercise before work, so I’d want the gym available around the clock. If that changed, I might stay again, but as things stand, I wouldn’t.