La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Phoenix Mesa West

You could hear every footstep and dog bark, which was my biggest complaint. The place is a little dated, though clean overall, and the service was great. I'd put it closer to 3.5 stars than 4. We stayed at the Residence Inn off Higley on the same trip, and this property was better despite its ratings.

Be very careful if you plan to pay with a debit card, and ask detailed questions about authorization holds in advance. Unclear communication from the start and management's refusal to take responsibility or offer a reasonable fix caused me unnecessary financial stress. My experience with the payment process and customer service was extremely disappointing. I wouldn't recommend booking a meeting or event room here, and I have very little trust in how the hotel handles event bookings and customer concerns.

There was lots of room to wander around, from the spacious lobby to the outdoor areas, and the open spaces gave the hotel a relaxed feel. I noticed quite a few teenagers staying there, which made sense because the friendly atmosphere seemed like one they'd enjoy. I liked being able to settle in without feeling rushed or needing to be somewhere at a certain time. I stayed two nights with my parents, and it was much more enjoyable than I expected. It was my first stay, and exploring the place helped me notice more things to appreciate. The whole visit felt comfortable and pleasant, one of my better hotel experiences in a long time.

Update: The front desk charged my credit card the cash rate after I had prepaid 88,000 points for the room. They never emailed me a receipt, so I have no documentation. It's been six weeks, and the $1,200 issue is still unresolved. I feel like the staff scammed me. The complimentary breakfast bar was the best I've had at a Marriott brand, but housekeeping was a mess. They didn't replace our towels, wash cloths, or Kleenex, and left the garbage for us to take care of ourselves. Housekeeping claimed someone had been in our room, even though my family was out shopping for six hours. Maybe our stay was too long. Avoid this place!