Courtyard Lexington Keeneland/Airport

The service was lousy. I tried to pay with cash, but they refused because I didn’t have a credit card. I usually like Marriott, and even at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta I was treated better. The staff got rude when I explained that I don’t use credit cards. I’d never stay here again.

Why offer mobile keys if you won’t activate one until the guest goes to the desk and shows ID? Signing up in the app already requires two factor authentication. A mobile key should let someone park at the back, enter through the back door, and go straight to their room. Hilton figured this out years ago. Please fix it.

The location was great, with lots of restaurants close by and several within walking distance. Our room was pretty standard, nothing special. What made the stay stand out was how much management did for our soccer team visiting Kentucky for a tournament. They moved breakfast earlier than usual so we could make our early games. They also called the hotel next door and asked whether the boys could briefly use its empty outdoor basketball court. That gave them a place to burn off energy outside the hotel’s common areas and avoid potentially disruptive behavior. They really gave us five star hospitality.

Libby made check-in feel like catching up with an old friend, and everyone serving breakfast was just as warm and accommodating. There’s also an indoor pool and gym, plus a washer and dryer guests can use themselves, which came in handy. The location is great for the racetrack, with a free shuttle there and back. My main reason for holding back a star is the carpeting. It’s badly worn and falling apart in places, so the hotel really needs to replace it.