Residence Inn Durham McPherson/Duke University Medical Cntr

Tiffani at the front desk and everyone else we met during our nine days were exceptionally friendly and welcoming. The location was another big plus, near food, bars, campus, and shopping, and we could avoid the hassle of downtown parking. There was always a spot available, whether in the small open lot behind the building, the covered garage, or the large open lot, and getting around was easy. It's an older RI property, and some of that shows. The hotel is clean and conveniently close to so much downtown. It has had some upgrades, including a well-equipped gym and brand-new LG machines in the guest laundry, but some of the room furniture was worn out and overdue for replacement. We have no regrets and would stay again.

We were only here one night, and we wished we could have stayed longer. The room was clean and well stocked, and the buffet breakfast had a generous selection. We found everything we wanted to eat. The staff made our first visit feel like home. Ms Tiffani at the front desk checked us in even though we arrived a little early, and we enjoyed chatting with her. Her colleague, Mr Barry, connected with my husband over cricket. They were both welcoming and helpful. Staff like them are the hotel's best advertisement. The location is a real plus, close to the Gardens and Duke University, with easy access on the hotel's FREE shuttle. Brad managed it, and he was well-informed, polite, caring, and punctual. I'm very glad my daughter chose Residence Inn by Marriot Durham, and I hope we find a reason to stay again.

The staff were nice enough, and the hotel itself was clean. The gym was fine too. The rooms, though, badly need remodeling. They're clean, but so many features are annoying and poorly thought out. The couches were stiff and uncomfortable, and the drawers clunky and barely opening. The main lights run on a timer, so even with the switch on, they shut off every 15 minutes if you're sitting around watching a movie. The curtains are also a pain to close because the attached sticks are too short to reach the one behind the desk. I stayed almost a month and had to buy my own shower rod and curtain. The so-called walk-in shower is ordinary in size and has only half the glass, so cold air blows in while you wash. The rainfall shower head wasn't attached properly, making that worse. With the shower opening so wide, every shower leaves a huge puddle on the bathroom floor. Breakfast wasn't good either. The “eggs” were dry discs, and the sausage patties were dry, blackened meat. I work nights, and since the hotel wasn't full, they shouldn't have put me in a room right above construction. I got woken up by what sounded like a jackhammer at 9 every morning.

The room was roomy, and the location was great, close to Duke University Medical Center. But the bathroom needed a better clean and fresh caulk around the shower. The kitchen sink edges needed a good scrub too. My family started sneezing after being in the room for about 10 minutes. Otherwise things were good. It'd be nice if they put ice machines on the floors for guests.