Courtyard by Marriott Foothill Ranch Irvine East/Lake Forest

The staff made a difficult trip much easier. Everyone we spoke with was patient, pleasant, and helpful, and they put my dad and me in rooms next to each other without us needing to ask. I'd stay again. Room 103 had a back door to the pool, which I liked for getting some fresh air even though I didn't swim in December. The room was spacious and seemed very clean, with a working fridge, pullout sofa bed and desk, coffee maker with dark roast and supplies, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, shower toiletries, and makeup remover wipes. I also noticed a guest laundry room. There's a $6 bottle of water in the room, though you can get cups of ice water in the lobby. The shower ran pretty hot and was hard to adjust to just warm. I could hear someone moving around in the room above me, maybe furniture, but otherwise it was a quiet stay. There's a gym next door, several small places to eat and get coffee nearby, and it's easy to reach the highway. Sunrise Bagels had the best croissants I've ever had!

The showers had really great water pressure, which I appreciated. I spent the weekend here and found the location convenient, with a supermarket and plenty of places to eat nearby. Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park is right across the street. I was surprised it wasn't listed as an attraction, since I would've brought shoes for walking the trails if I'd known.

The rooms are dated, with worn bathroom walls and stains, and the beds felt lumpy. Thin walls meant I could hear the neighboring shower and the hallway ice machine, and the motion-activated bathroom light was especially annoying at night because it disturbed my sleep. The gym equipment also needs attention: the bike pedal was broken and the elliptical tilted to one side. I was surprised by a few costs and missing items. The online room photos showed a microwave, but ours didn't have one. I'd read that parking was free, then found out we were charged $14 a day. Since the hotel sits at the edge of a shopping plaza with plenty of spaces, especially at night when the stores are closed, the fee didn't make much sense. Breakfast wasn't free either. The hotel is also a bit far from the main freeway unless you take the toll road.

We'd stayed here before and liked the hotel, but the new $14.95 nightly parking fee is ridiculous. There's a huge lot behind the hotel that's blocked off, with just one car parked there. We won't be back.