The Fontaine Hotel

The location was excellent, within walking distance of lots of good restaurants, bars, and shops, and the hotel and room were really nice and luxurious. The front desk staff and valet were helpful and friendly. We had a second-floor balcony room and enjoyed it, aside from a few issues. Breakfast seemed a little pricey, so we ate at some really good restaurants instead. Housekeeping didn't properly clean the room. They made the bed and replaced towels we'd left on the floor, but didn't clean anything else. We never saw them, so on day two we asked the front desk for a full cleaning. The chocolate-dipped strawberries and fresh cookies included with the reservation were there the first night, but the plate was never taken away. They charge for them every night even though you only get them the first night. Other rubbish was left in the room too, and neither the toilet nor floor was cleaned during our stay. The bathroom sink never had hot water, and the shower only got hot when I turned on hot water alone. That's my only room complaint, and otherwise I would have given five stars. I'd stay again, hopefully after housekeeping improves.

The bar service and food were good, but the floor there shakes, which is unsettling. The hotel is in a hard-to-beat spot at Country Club Plaza, and everyone on staff was friendly. The room seemed clean, though the phone was sticky when I went to call the front desk. The decor was nice but the furnishings looked worn. There was no coffee maker, microwave, pen, or paper in the room, and the shower's hair conditioner was empty. As others have said, an odor sometimes spreads through the property. I emailed the "reservations team" twice to ask for a high-floor room. The hotel didn't look very booked, but I never got a reply. I ended up on the third floor with a nice view of the parking ramp entrance. It may suit some guests, but it could be much better for most. I'm unlikely to return.

The room and bathroom had plenty of space, and I loved the walk-in shower. Everything looked well cared for, with clean linens, a firm bed, and just-right pillows. We booked The Fontaine for its NYE party, and from the moment we walked in, the staff made us feel welcome. The front desk agent was especially polite and accommodating, though I’m sorry I didn’t get her name. Everyone, from the desk team to the restaurant servers, was welcoming, and the food was excellent. Valet was the one confusing part for us since we don’t use it often. Nobody was outside to direct us or take the car, and the line of cars waiting to be moved stretched back to the street. When we finally found a valet employee, they said things were backed up and seemed short staffed, perhaps because of the NYE event. Even so, we had a great stay and will book here again.

The location is easy to get around on foot, with plenty of good places nearby. What really lifted the stay, though, was the team. Tashe, Lakota, and Lake greeted us so warmly and made us feel at home right away. They helped us get settled and shared great local food recommendations, which left me feeling reassured about choosing The Fontaine. The room didn’t live up to the price or the look I expected. Our usual hotel was sold out, and with a similar rate here I expected a comparable stay, but the room felt dated. There was a really strong mothball smell as soon as we entered, and it stayed the whole time, greeting us again whenever we returned. The sheets were old and scratchy, with little holes in them. Still, the staff’s kindness and professionalism made a lasting impression and helped us feel better about the visit.