Residence Inn Detroit Troy/Madison Heights

The man at the desk was fine, but my room wasn’t ready until after 4pm even though it was supposed to be ready at 3. The carpet had several worn-through holes, the couch sagged badly in the middle and was stained on the right arm, and the bed was worn out and needs replacing. The bedroom TV powered on but didn’t get any channels. I checked the whole kitchen and couldn’t find a trash bag or bin. These rooms used to be great, but now they badly need updating.

This was the worst hotel I’ve ever stayed in. There were cockroaches, no soap in the shower dispensers, and a strong weed smell that meant keeping the windows open. Hip Hop music was blasting from the rooms. Come for the low prices, stay for the mold. This place should be knocked down.

This $800 stay isn’t worth it, and I’d never come back, even if I had nowhere else to stay. I’d sooner sleep on a friend or family member’s couch or floor. I checked in on Thanksgiving in a rush, dropped our bags, and left. When I came back, the couch was caved in and covered with pet hair, like someone’s animal had spent weeks lying and playing on it. One of the bathroom toilets also looked disgusting. I called the front desk and tried to be polite because it was a holiday, but the woman working was rude. She said I could move to another room if I removed our things and got a new key. Since it was late and cold, I didn’t want to haul everything over only to find the new room was worse. I asked to see it first, or to wait in case something opened tomorrow. She said I had to move or stay put. When I asked if I could return to my current room if the other one was worse, she said no, meaning I’d have to stay in it or go to another hotel. Asked whether a manager would be available tomorrow, she said she didn’t know and that I could come check. I’ve never had this kind of experience at another Marriott-associated hotel, but it seems to be the norm here.

Andrea at reception was accommodating, and Tamika, the cook, did a great job with breakfast. I slept well in the comfortable bed during my two-day stay. Thanks to the manager, too, for quickly fixing the incorrect charges.