Trailborn Highlands, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy

The Nordic spa was lovely, and the person who greeted us there was great. A few other staff members felt less warm, though, which took a little away from the atmosphere. The hotel’s location worked perfectly for traveling with our dog, and the room was comfortable for the price. We’d come back for a casual getaway, but probably not for a special occasion. Before our birthday weekend at Trailborn Highlands, the staff were helpful and accommodating. They said they’d have things ready for our dog, so we thought there might be bowls or some other setup in the room. We brought our own, fortunately, but might not have if we’d known. Our late checkout also wasn’t recorded, though they sorted it out. Those were small snags, but the advance conversations had raised our expectations. They’d also booked us a birthday dinner at the Supper Club and said they’d make it special. The food was wonderful, but there was no apparent birthday acknowledgment. It felt like the message got lost somewhere.

The room was the worst part by far. Even in our large suite, there was almost nothing provided, just two paper cups for the whole room. The fridge stayed above 45, which didn’t seem safe. The bathroom was awful, worse than ones I’ve seen at campgrounds, and not acceptable for the price or the area. The remodel looked as though they’d spent as little as possible, and it didn’t feel up to Marriott standards. I’ve stayed at Marriott hotels in rough areas off the interstate that were much better. Smoke from the fire pit outside came into the room when the heat was running. We woke up with headaches, and all our stuff smelled like smoke. The exterior and lobby looked nice, check-in was easy, and the staff were pleasant. That’s where the good part ended. I’d avoid this place.

We liked sitting out on the porches during the day, then gathering by the fireplace when it got cooler. The staff were welcoming and really friendly, and the hotel was cute and clean with a fun retro feel. It’s an easy walk to Main Street for the little shops, upscale dining, and quaint atmosphere. We truly enjoyed our stay.

The common areas were nice, but breakfast was lacking. The room itself didn’t feel like the Marriott quality my husband and I are used to after his 20-plus years as a member. The hotel was recently renovated, though the bathrooms didn’t seem to be included. Our shower floor had missing tile pieces, and the grout looked like it might have black mold. There was no closet, just a limited coat rack, and instead of a dresser there were a couple of drawers under a bench. If you’re staying awhile and want to unpack, you have to get down on your hands and knees. When we arrived, no one was at the front desk, and we waited over five minutes along with two people already there. One gentleman had been told his room would be ready by then, but it wasn’t. Trailborn Highlands was a total disappointment.