Element by Marriott Moline

Most of my weekday stays here have been great. The rooms are clean, the staff is friendly, and breakfast is usually good. The weekend breakfast was a different story. The omelettes they’re known for were awful, and even the pancake tasted like fried oil. The weekday chef needs to show the weekend cook how to make breakfast. I’m not sure I’ll come back unless they sort out the weekend cooking.

The workout room was a decent size, but there were no cups by the water machine or wipes to clean the equipment. My room looked clean at first, though in daylight I saw water marks on the mirrors, stains on several towels, and a stain on the comforter that wasn’t mine. I found one towel that seemed clean enough to use. The one small window looked onto a courtyard and other rooms, so the room felt dark and boxed in. At least the bed was comfortable and the hotel was quiet enough for a decent night’s sleep. I’d arrived close to 10 p.m. Monday after a long travel day and a five-hour layover delay. The front desk staff were kind, and they had my Uber Eats order ready, which I appreciated. The lobby was clean and modern, so I started out with a good impression. Still, the lack of cleanliness and attention to detail left me uncomfortable. I wouldn’t stay here again.

Light sleepers should bring earplugs. The hotel itself isn’t loud, but it’s an old building with thin walls, so you’ll hear people around you. I wasn’t bothered. My only small gripe was that the outlet under the desk was awkward to reach, and a tabletop power strip might make it easier. The location made it easy to walk to several good restaurants and bars. In the kitchenette, there was a filtered water tap and a glass bottle to fill and chill. The bed was comfy, the shower pressure was good, and the shower height didn’t make me bend over backwards. There were USB plugs on both sides of the bed. Breakfast was better than I expected, with a yogurt bar, an omelette station, and homemade treats. The staff were friendly and helpful throughout. Devin checked me in efficiently and explained the hotel, including social hour and tea time. At social hour there was free beer on tap, wine, and nice snacks. Michelle, the evening associate, answered our questions while we had tea in the lobby, a relaxing end to the evening. Housekeeping didn’t interrupt us while we worked during our late checkout, even though I forgot to put up the DND sign. The front desk had passed the message along, which I appreciated. That almost never happens elsewhere, and I didn’t feel rushed. I travel a lot, so I know this sounds over the top, but it’s rare to have such a pleasant, comfortable stay.

I really enjoyed this stay, my first time at an Element, on a business trip. The fitness center had plenty of equipment, and the social hour was a nice way to unwind with a beer or wine and chat. I liked reading about the building’s history and how it changed during construction. The lobby and building are nicely decorated, and my room had everything I needed, including a full kitchen, fridge, microwave, toaster, and iron. No complaints about the room. The staff were very professional, friendly, and helpful. The only drawback was the train sounding its horn at random times all day, which is outside Element’s control.