La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Brooklyn Downtown

Be careful when booking. Entering vehicle details during the reservation made it seem like parking was included, but on arrival I learned convenient parking costs another $45. Street parking might be available, though that wasn’t clearly explained. I was first given Room 311, where the bathroom smelled strongly of urine. Later that evening, the whole third floor reeked of marijuana, despite the non-smoking policy, and some guests appeared visibly intoxicated. After I reported it, they moved me to Room 412, which was obviously unclean: the bed was unmade, sheets hadn’t been changed, and the room was in disarray. Staff sent someone to verify my complaint even though it was clear and I had photos. I was moved again to Room 506, but the whole process happened around 11:30 p.m. to midnight. There’s no microwave in the room, and they didn’t offer any accessible way to heat food. When I asked for management’s contact details, staff wouldn’t give a name or phone number, saying the manager was “barely there.” They only offered an email. The only refund offered was if I checked out at midnight. This was handled very poorly. I’m posting so others can make an informed choice.

The staff were the highlight for me. Everyone was attentive, cooperative, and ready to solve problems, and I always felt customer service came first. The bed was just right, almost like sleeping at home, and the room was comfortable. The linens were exceptional, and even the towels felt better than the ones at the Hampton Inn we stayed at in SF. The real bagels, alongside the more familiar kind, were worth taking the time to cut open. And you can’t beat a 10-minute walk to the R and F. If you skip the free breakfast, The Common at 15th and 4th is three blocks away. Its breakfast menu was the most unusual I’ve seen. We went four times and tried a different dish each time. If we’d stayed a month, I might have worked my way through the whole menu. It’s that good. We’ll be back!

The room and building left a lot to be desired. There was hardly any lighting in our room, and I saw mold on the bathroom ceiling and around the bathtub. The C2 floor also had a noticeable bad smell. The front desk staff came across as nearly rude and not welcoming, which made a poor first impression. Later, there was a terrible argument in another room and then in the hallway, with screaming and crying. It sounded as though it might have turned physical. I know guest behavior may not be the hotel's fault, but after we called the desk, help took a while to arrive. It seemed the police eventually got involved. The wait made an already upsetting situation feel unsafe. Between the cleanliness, maintenance, and response to the incident, the hotel fell below basic expectations. I wouldn't stay here again.

The hotel’s location was a real plus, only about a 10-minute walk to the metro. My room was clean and roomy, and I was glad to find both a mini fridge and an iron. They provided room service every day, reception was open around the clock, and breakfast was excellent. I was very satisfied with my stay.