Marriott Hartford Downtown

My main disappointment was that the pool wasn’t in service, and the gym felt dated with only one mat. Still, I had a comfortable night at this Marriott a few weekends ago. They gave me a nice room on the twentieth floor, and the room and bathroom were both great. The front desk agents were friendly, helpful, and easy to deal with. Parking was convenient, since the garage is connected to the hotel and getting in and out by car was simple. Check-in and checkout were both very easy.

We paid a lot for an ordinary room. It was on the eighth floor with a pretty unappealing view of a side street and the backs of typical city buildings. There were two double beds and standard furnishings, nothing to justify the price. Breakfast wasn’t included, and it was about $20 per person. A small juice was $5, and the buffet was $24 each. The staff were great, though. Our breakfast servers were friendly and fun, and check-in and checkout were quick and painless. You can only park in the garage, either on your own or with valet. I picked the Marriott for its closeness to the Convention Center, and I understand prices go up during a major event. We talked with business travelers in town for corporate meetings whose companies paid for their rooms, so they didn’t mind the cost.

For the Convention Center, this is by far the best hotel, with great hospitality and staff who do a good job. The lobby is nice and parking is easy, and the breakfast is amazing. The rooms are nice too, with a big smart TV, though no suites were available, which was a bummer. They’d have earned a perfect five from me if they hadn’t done away with the weekend evening lounge. I’ve never seen a Marriott close its evening lounge experience before.

I was grateful to have somewhere safe during a snowstorm, and the front desk staff were wonderful. After getting snowed in following a shift at the nearby hospital, I arrived around 11 p.m. without a reservation and they checked me in quickly. The lobby was beautiful, and everyone was so kind and accommodating. The room was okay but dated, with a musty smell. I didn’t sleep well: the mattress was extremely firm, the pillows very flat, and the sheets and pillows had a strong chemical odor. I woke up sore and uncomfortable several times. I’m conflicted because the staff were exceptional, but the poor sleep means I don’t think I’d book here again.