Suburban Studios Fort Smith

The bed was decent, the price was budget friendly, and it’s close to Dunkin’. I stayed there 11 October. The elevator floor looked like it hadn’t been mopped in days. Room 421 had a faint but noticeable smell, like someone had peed on the carpet, and housekeeping hadn’t cleaned it well. The bed was haphazardly made, and the alarm clock was more than an hour off. I couldn’t see how to set it, so I unplugged it. The bathtub was badly stained around the drain, and both the shower and tub faucet leaked. If budget matters, it may suit you, but I’ll never stay there again.

The room had plenty of space, and the beds were decent. There was a recliner too, but the maintenance was poor, with mold in multiple places and peeling paint. We arrived at 3:20, after the 3:00 check-in time, and were told none of the double rooms was ready. They said the one weekend housekeeper needed another hour. At the entrance, people were smoking right in the way because the ashtray is badly placed. The guest service agent was friendly, though she looked disheveled and seemed unsure of what she was doing. There's no breakfast, just free coffee, and it didn't look like the coffee area had been cleaned recently. The bellhop cart is locked up, and you have to hand over your license to use it. There isn't a coffee pot in the room, despite a sign telling you to turn it off before leaving. You get what you pay for, I guess. For a Choice Hotel, it wasn't worth it, and I wouldn't stay again.

The fire alarm was the biggest issue. It went off at some point every day I stayed, including once around 6:30 AM. It was so frequent and loud that people stopped taking it seriously. Each room has a stovetop, so I couldn't tell whether guests cooking were setting it off or something else was going on. The location was good and the room was clean, with no bugs or anything especially gross. It was crowded and somewhat noisy, though. The walls had some stains and needed paint, and parts of the carpet were torn. For such a low price, the stay was fine. Without those alarms, it would've had everything I needed.

The room was clean, and it made me feel safer knowing staff were on the property after hours. The front desk staff were kind and accommodating during my stay.