Courtyard by Marriott John Wayne Airport/Orange County

The cafe’s breakfast burrito was great, and having a Starbucks there was convenient. But the rooms felt outdated, and the single elevator was slow. Construction in the neighboring building wasn’t mentioned when I booked, and the noise kept me from sleeping well during my work conference. I also called the front desk twice, once about the shuttle and once for towels, and was put on hold for over five minutes both times. I wouldn’t return.

Jose at the front desk checked me in quickly and efficiently. The food was better than at most other places, including a tasty egg McMuffin on Monday, though I’d have liked more fresh fruit and firmer pillows. Parking is $25 a night, and I’m not sure the place is worth that fee. They also need to put the address online, since this isn’t Courtyard by Marriott.

The lobby is nice, and the staff are friendly, so I can’t fault them. The rest of the place feels old and badly maintained, from dirty carpets everywhere to shower tiles patched with way too much caulk. Whoever handles repairs needs to do a better job. It all feels subpar, like a weekly-rate motel with a neon sign out front. Don’t stay here.

The internet was completely down for all three days, which seriously affected my work. The room had two water bottles marked $6 each, but there was no clear notice; when I asked, I was told they weren’t complimentary. Housekeeping also left me unsure what to expect. When I asked for the room to be cleaned and the linens changed, they didn’t say I needed to be there, so nothing was done while I was out. The next morning I had to spell out that I wanted a full cleaning, including fresh sheets and towels and a clean bathroom, before they got started. The room itself was dirty, especially the wash basin, which I first thought was stained. I was feeling unwell and didn’t call for immediate cleaning. The hallway had loose cables, tools, and equipment lying around, and constant maintenance made the property noisy. At check-in, I was only given my room number, with no directions, parking details, or information about amenities. Tree cutting was blocking the road, and nobody offered alternate directions. Around 5 PM, I got a call saying my company card had been declined and I had to leave. My travel coordinator confirmed payment had already been made, but the front desk was unhelpful and still said the card wasn’t working. The property was disorganized and lacked basic guest service. This was a very frustrating stay, and I’d strongly advise others to avoid it.