Best Western Fairfax

The area felt safe, it was close to lots of places, and parking was plentiful and included. The rooms were spacious and clean, the cleaning crew were wonderful, and breakfast had a great range: eggs, sausage, fruit, waffles, oatmeal, breads and spreads, plus hot and cold drinks. I especially liked the turkey sausage. I stayed two weeks, and for a practical, clean place, my experience was mostly positive. It isn’t luxurious or extraordinary. I did have to change rooms several times. The front desk made it sound like there was no availability, even though more than half the rooms seemed empty. First I got a room with broken heating, then one facing the smoking area and its ashtray. Whenever someone smoked outside, the room smelled of smoke and weed. Thankfully, Bilal was working at the desk that day and offered several options. He was kind and hospitable, unlike a few other front desk staff. I finally found a room with working heat. The fountain was another downside. You can hear it 24/7, and the noise was drilling into my brain day and night. I hated it and wished they’d turn it off for an hour so I could sleep peacefully.

I was supposed to stay here today, but I tested positive for the flu. I called and spoke with three different people who said they’d help, but they didn’t. I’d just stayed at a different Best Western a few days earlier and gave it five stars because it was probably my best hotel experience, though that was a two-star hotel. This experience taught me that Best Western puts profits ahead of guest satisfaction. What a shame. I thought they’d come through for me. I’m a sick customer.

I only stayed one night, and the room and bathroom were clean and suited my needs. The bedding felt rough, though I slept fine. I didn’t have any bedbug or rodent problems like some earlier reviewers described. The entrance was tricky to find the first time, but it was well lit and the drive-up room made me feel somewhat safe. The location was convenient, about 15 minutes from Centreville, and Gavi is a cute coffee, pastry, and sandwich shop. The billing is still unresolved. I booked and paid for one night at Best Western Fairfax through booking.com with my TD Bank debit card, which booking.com accepted. At the hotel, they said they hadn’t received the transaction and charged my AMEX as well. I spoke to Jomari at booking.com, who said he had talked to the Best Western Fairfax manager and that the AMEX charge would be canceled because payment had already come through the TD debit card. AMEX has now posted the charge, and there’s still no refund. I’ve been charged twice, once on the debit card through booking.com and once on the credit card at the hotel.

My room was clean, and this Best Western had the best free breakfast of the many I’ve stayed at. I also rated the other categories higher, but the service earned one star. I booked a drive-up room, which costs more, and at check-in they tried to put me upstairs, down a hall. When I asked why I wasn’t getting the room I paid for, they said the owner closes that side. They then put me on that supposedly closed side, where plenty of cars were parked in front of the drive-up rooms. This is the only BW I’ve stayed at that didn’t give Platinum members two complimentary bottles of water at check-in. And the room switching felt like an outdated 1950s maneuver. Please stop. I don’t know why you do it, but it seems suspicious.