Baymont by Wyndham Memphis East

I’ve stayed here three times and the service has been excellent every time. On my first visit, the TV wouldn’t turn on, so we called and they moved us to a two-room suite with two beds and a sofa bed. Breakfast is always fresh, and you don’t have to worry about cigarette smell like you might at a motel. Pets are welcome, too. It’s a great hotel, though it could use a bit more modernization.

We had to change rooms because the first one smelled strongly of mildew and cleaning products. The next room reeked of cigarettes, despite this being a smoke-free hotel, and it wasn’t very clean either. The hall ceilings had leaks, and the pool was closed without that being mentioned in the ad. The neighborhood didn’t feel great, and there were very few nearby restaurants beyond fast food.

I booked a one-night stay for $142 through a third party over the July 4th weekend, but didn’t check in. The “manager” said check-in wasn’t until 3pm when I arrived around 2:20, but agreed to show me the room. On the first floor, there were exposed wires hanging from the ceiling, window screens coming loose, dirty carpet, and a strong smell of mildew and tobacco that hit me at the entrance. I asked if smoking was allowed in the room. He said no and mentioned a smoking fee, so I pointed out it seemed someone had already smoked there. I said I wouldn’t stay and wanted a refund. He said I had to contact the booking company because I’d booked through them. I booked a room at Courtyard Marriott instead, which I recommend, and contacted the third party on Tuesday after the holiday. They said the manager refused the refund because I had stayed there. That wasn’t true. I was there less than five minutes. When I called the hotel and asked for the manager, someone said he wasn’t there, then told me his name was Nick and that he was Nick too, but not the manager. The “Nick” who showed us the room was about 5’5”, wore black glasses, and had hair that looked white or Hispanic. On arrival, he’d told us he was the manager. When I explained that the booking company wouldn’t refund me because the hotel said we stayed, he said he had to check me in. I asked how that could be when we didn’t stay. He said it was because I’d booked a non-refundable room. Then he hung up while I was speaking. He was rude and unhelpful, and I don’t appreciate being lied about. He should have told the booking company that we arrived, were unhappy with the room, and left.

It’s an okay place, nothing amazing, but it wasn’t run-down or dirty. The rooms were very clean, the hotel was well kept, and the employees were very nice. The neighborhood is a little suspect. Furniture looks dated and the TVs are small, maybe 32 inches, but I liked staying here and would come back.