TownePlace Suites by Marriott Leesburg

We felt unwelcome when staff asked us to leave for the day with our dogs after receiving “noise complaints.” They’re generally quiet and bark only if they hear someone at the door or need something, but they may bark to alert us if they can’t see what’s happening. There were cleaners and guests walking and talking outside. They’re emotional support animals, and since I was unwell on this trip, they were with me in the room most of the time. If a place calls itself pet friendly, barking should be expected. We also had trouble finding parking at night because the cyclists took all the spaces during what was apparently “bike fest.” Their engines kept revving, which set off the dogs, and we could hear the loud, annoying bikes even from the fourth floor. In the room, the shower’s half glass panel didn’t stop water from getting everywhere, and the bed had worn depressions with very soft pillows, so it was uncomfortable. Water pressure was poor, and the shower head had visible calcium buildup that needs cleaning. We were told there’d be no pet fee, but then saw a $75 charge on the bill. We booked in an emergency after our other air bnb fell through. At first the clean, cool room seemed great, and it was good to find a place described as pet friendly.

The room was okay, if very average for a Marriott. There were stray hairs in the tub and sticky spots on some counters. The kitchen and desk lights only work if you leave your key inserted, which was annoying. I’m a Titanium Elite member and prepaid with points. When I asked about an upgrade, no one said it would cost extra points. A week later I found an additional 21,000 points had been deducted, without any verbal or written disclosure. It wasn’t even on the hotel receipt, only in the Marriott app. The upgrade is a Titanium Elite benefit. I also had the do not disturb sign on the door, had filed no service ticket, and was leading an online meeting. The maintenance man knocked repeatedly. I said I had no issues and was on a call, but he pushed three times to come back into the room. I finally said I’d call the front desk and closed the door. Afterward I learned he had entered while I was in the shower and started fixing a stove issue. I’m definitely using all the extra security locks when I’m in the room from now on. The front desk sent up some mentos and popcorn, but I still had no idea they’d taken extra points from me.

Breakfast was supposed to run until 10:00 AM, but when we came down at 9:20 the attendant said everyone had to hurry because she was closing in five minutes. At 9:30 the doors were shut, and guests arriving when we did could only get coffee. Not long after we checked in for the weekend, kids in the hallway pulled the fire alarm. It woke me while I was resting, and everyone had to evacuate while the fire department did its walkthrough. The pool and yard were also littered with trash and beer cans. We picked some out of the pool ourselves because it looked as if no one was maintaining or cleaning the area. We paid more for this hotel than similar ones nearby, and the experience didn’t match the price or advertised standards. We were very dissatisfied.

Demetrius had wonderful cookies ready to greet arriving guests, and the staff were friendly. The hotel was clean, with a nice kitchen in the clean, well-priced room, and breakfast each morning was tasty. The building sits apart from shops and other businesses, though there seems to be development nearby. A few things could use attention. The alarm clock was an hour off and I couldn’t find how to correct it. The door handle needed tightening, and the TV was unplugged. My king bed was softer on the side I usually sleep on than in the middle or on the other side, so I moved over. The large walk-in shower has no door, with the controls near the opening, and there’s no grab bar by the shower head to steady yourself while washing your lower body.