Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Tampa Fairgrounds/Casino

The bed was comfortable, the room moderately clean apart from the tub, and breakfast was okay. But the jacuzzi was cold, the stopper wouldn’t hold water, the neighbors were loud enough to hear easily, and the water made me feel sick. I wouldn’t return or recommend this place, and I regret booking it. This felt like a truck stop hotel, not a romantic weekend spot. It’s by a cemetery, jail, and border patrol offices on Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. On the way into the lot, we saw homeless people making fires in the grass, with creepy empty lots on the dead end streets around the hotel. I called Marriott customer service to move my room somewhere more comfortable, but they were useless. That experience made me question visiting Marriott again or keeping Bonvoy membership. What’s the point of loyalty if you can’t get help? I wasn’t trying to cancel, I was still willing to give Marriott my money. The front desk girl muttered remarks about guests’ “energy” while we were still within earshot. In the morning, the new desk worker took my cards without a word or a smile.

After an Airbnb disaster, I needed a room at 1 am with no reservation, and the staff found one for me. Everyone who helped during my stay was friendly and helpful. The room was great, quiet, and had a fridge, microwave, clean bed, and comfy pillows. I also enjoyed the breakfast, especially the tea and coffee available 24/7. The little market had everything I needed, too. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay.

The room AC was so loud that I had to turn it off to sleep, which wasn’t ideal. Worse, the hotel has no backup generator. The power went out while I was showering, and with a morning flight I had to get ready in the dark. I couldn’t reach the front desk by phone, then went downstairs and found nobody there. There was an unusual cold front, so I had to go out with wet hair. This felt unsafe. Please get a generator.

The service was great, and Jess was the best part of our stay. She was amazing and so helpful, with a refreshing positive attitude. The rooms were good too, though the walls are thin enough that I could hear the people next door loud and clear.