Courtyard by Marriott Myrtle Beach Barefoot Landing

The front desk staff were phenomenal and so patient and kind. I feel for them, since they seem to spend their time trying to fix situations caused by managers who won’t do their jobs. But the rooms are trash. Mold in the bathrooms, thick grime on the walls, peeling paint everywhere, a TV that doesn’t work right, lights that take a while to come on, and doors that don’t shut all the way. We booked for two guests and got one washcloth to share. The dirty white linens looked like they’d been rolled behind a Taco Bell dumpster. This is what I’d expect from a cheapskate slumlord, not an established lodging company. Housekeeping made it almost impossible to nap after traveling, slamming doors about every 20 seconds for hours. I wish I’d read the reviews first. There are repeated reports of dirty rooms, and the hotel seems not to make changes, just sending the same generic response to complaints. In true Marriott fashion, right?

I’m a single mother, and I’m frustrated and thoroughly disappointed that I had to waste money on a room for a trip I couldn’t take. My work meeting was canceled because of an incoming winter storm. I’d booked two nights here, but when I called to cancel, they only offered to move the reservation to some time in the next month. I didn’t need another date. I know the room wasn’t supposed to be refundable, but the cancellation was out of my control and they could have made an exception. They eventually agreed to reimburse one night. I’ve been a loyal Marriot customer, but no longer.

Everything else was great, but our volleyball team couldn’t get a warm shower all weekend. The water ran for 30 minutes without even getting warm, and we ended up taking lukewarm showers all three days. That’s why I’m giving four stars instead of five.

The room smelled bad when I got in, and the shower could’ve been cleaner. I’d called the hotel five times, including on the day I arrived, and had prepaid a month ahead. Each time I asked if I needed to bring anything, they said no. Then I got there and found out I had to pay a $60 authorization fee. Two other Marriotts I’d stayed at hadn’t done that, so I didn’t know. That money came out of my gas and food budget. Nobody likes surprise fees, and clear communication matters. I could have budgeted for it if anyone had mentioned it. Then I get cursed out, and they think I’m the one with the crappy attitude, even though I asked five times and nobody told me until I arrived. I’d give my experience a five, but this is why I’m rating it two.