Towneplace Suites By Marriott Milpitas

We were unsure what to expect after seeing such mixed reviews, but ended up pleasantly surprised and would probably stay again. The staff were warm from check-in onward, and the modern suites were clean, with crisp beds and linens. Our couch was the exception. The full kitchen was a huge help while traveling with kids. Breakfast had plenty of choices, from eggs, bacon, and soufflé cups to pastries, cereal, juice, and yogurt, so everyone found something. We skipped the pool, but it looked cleaner and nicer than some photos suggested. It was small and shallow. The hotel is basically in the Great Mall parking lot, with lots to do nearby. A few little things took away from the stay: there was a pincher bug in the bathroom, and the couch was so dusty that sitting on it sent up visible puffs and set off my allergies. Since it seemed fairly new, I wondered if some carpet or deodorizing powder had been left behind without a thorough vacuuming. The body soap pump didn’t work, the tissue box was nearly empty, the TV remote batteries were dead, and the drawers had odd cutlery counts, including 3 forks, 1 spoon, and 4 knives. None of that felt worth complaining about for our one night, but together it did affect the experience.

The location is handy, with Trader Joe’s and a wet market in the car park within walking distance. Great Mall is right next door for clothes shopping and fast food. The staff were proactive and helpful. The front desk lady came right away when I asked for help with the air conditioning, and Jimmy makes a good hot breakfast and greets everyone each day. The facility was nice and the bed comfortable. There’s a big TV, an iron, and air conditioning. The kitchen has everything I needed, including a vent fan, microwave, dishwasher, fridge, induction cooker, oven, cookware, and cutlery.

The location worked well, close enough to walk to the mall while the hotel itself stayed peaceful and quiet. My room was clean and well kept, and breakfast was decent. Staff were friendly and checked each day whether we wanted the room cleaned. Nathan at the front desk was especially helpful with our request. I also mixed up the laundry coins, but someone came to help right away and the front desk assisted too. I had a very good stay and highly recommend the hotel.

The check-in and checkout were simple and quick. I was upgraded to a suite with a living area and kitchenette, which was great, and Room 433 was very clean and new. Wi-Fi was good, and elite status included complimentary high-bandwidth internet. They also gave me a choice of bottled drink and snack at check-in. The building requires a room key to enter, which adds security. It’s next to Great Mall in Milpitas. The walls are quite thin, and because the hotel is close to a train track, I could hear trains passing as well as the TV in the neighboring room.