Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Hattiesburg-University

The room was in rough shape, and for the price there are better options in Hattiesburg. There was a crack in the window in our ground floor room, which concerned me. The bathroom was disgusting, with mildew around the fixtures, a gross shower curtain and cracks where the tub met the wall. Food and drink stains covered one comforter. The desk area was pulling away from the wall, with an extra panel shoved under the TV. We checked in after 5, and staff struggled to find a clean room. The front desk crew were busy altering a jacket and arranging a cigarette run. Then housekeeping woke us before 9 on checkout day. I’d look elsewhere.

I could live here. Candlewood Suites in Hattiesburg, Mississippi is my favorite of the places my husband stays while traveling for work and I visit him near our hometown. I don’t get why it’s rated a “2 Star” hotel. The rooms are clean and nicely furnished, with a kitchenette that has a glass top stove, dishwasher, and full size refrigerator and freezer. The cabinets have everything for cooking, including pots, pans, a strainer, utensils, Pyrex Tupperware bowls with lids, four drinking glasses, glass coffee cups, plates, saucers and bowls. There’s also a coffee maker, to go cups with lids, creamers, sugars and a few coffee choices. The beds and pillows are so comfortable, the best sleep you’ll get. Guests can use four washers and five dryers for free, no quarters needed. Checkout is at 12 p.m., so there’s no need to rush out by 10 a.m. like at other hotels.

Our suite had plenty of space, and the front desk staff were friendly and accommodating. I booked a 1 King 1 Bedroom Suite with a Sofa Bed, but several things made the stay uncomfortable. The hotel and room had a damp, mildewy smell, with a faint marijuana odor lingering in the hallways and room. It gave the place a neglected feel. The bedroom TV didn’t work, and the toilet ran constantly. The shower and tub drained poorly, and there was heavy calcium buildup on the showerhead. The hotel has potential, but it needs steadier upkeep and a deeper clean, especially to address the odors and air quality.

The room was comfortable, but the hallway carpet needed cleaning. There was no breakfast, which surprised me since the other Candlewood places we’ve stayed at had that option. The kitchen had some supplies, though not as many as elsewhere, and the chef’s knife had a broken handle but was still usable. The shower’s body wash was empty, and the tub had a dirt ring that looked like a stain.