Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Nashville South, Tn

We found this online listed as Country Inn and Suites and booked at what seemed like a decent price. When we arrived, we found the building on a dead-end street surrounded by closed businesses. It had become an Econolodge and was under renovation. The clerk started checking us in and said the room cost more, and then we noticed the smell. We asked to see the room before completing check-in so we could decide whether to stay, and the clerk let us. It wasn’t worth the money: there were holes in the carpet and old, worn bed linens. We declined the reservation and specifically asked whether the card had been charged. We were told no. Later that evening we found that it had in fact been charged. When we returned to ask about it, the same clerk said she hadn’t charged the card but that the money would be put back in the account. There was no manager on duty and she didn’t have a corporate number. When we asked for more help and information, she shrugged and walked away. We had to look up corporate ourselves, were put on hold, then hung up on. In short, don’t rent from this hotel.

The pool and spa were in rough shape: the water was cloudy and ice cold, and only one spa jet worked now and then. Outside, the landscaping was neglected and littered with cigarette butts. Inside, the carpet was dirty and frayed in both the room and hallway, the comforter had holes, a desk leg was broken, and the lamps had mismatched bulbs. The place felt dark, musty, and old, with surprisingly little upkeep for this brand. Staff spoke Spanish and were not friendly, breakfast was blah, and the manager was rude to a teenage guest who asked for a replacement key card. Some employees were swimming after work with what seemed to be their friends. For all four days, people kept coming and going and sitting in the lobby; I’m reasonably sure they weren’t guests, and it left me uneasy. I wouldn’t recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Nashville.

The area felt isolated and unsafe, with vacant buildings nearby. We arrived at 5:30 on Saturday afternoon with the grandkids, only to learn they’d given away the suite I’d reserved. Their best offer was $10 off a regular room. They clearly can’t manage reservations, so I’ll find another hotel next time.

We checked in at 1, and the hotel was full of drywall dust and construction noise. They still wouldn’t adjust the price, which was over $100. Ridiculous. I’m sure it’ll look beautiful once the renovations are done.