Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Oxford

Breakfast normally runs from 7 to 10 a.m., but the staff moved it up to 6 for the whole weekend once they learned that most swimmers needed to be at the pool by 7. That was a huge relief, and I’m very grateful to the kitchen staff. Check-in was seamless, and the front desk team was incredibly accommodating. We had trouble controlling the heating and cooling unit, so someone from the front desk came to our room and overrode the system so we could set the temperature ourselves. The room and bathroom were clean, the beds and pillows comfortable, and the TV let me log into my streaming services. Late checkout was a real help too, since my swimmer could shower in the room before we drove home. We were in town for a weekend swim meet at Miami of Ohio, and we plan to stay here again next year.

The room was spacious and had a pair of flat-screen TVs, a large work desk, a sofa, a full dresser, a closet, and an iron with an ironing board. The bathroom was large too, with good-quality shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, an oversized shower head, and plenty of hot water. Even the basic included Wi-Fi for Marriott Bonvoy members was fast. The hotel was extremely clean, and the lobby had several places to sit and socialize, plus a fireplace and TVs. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. Breakfast was called continental, so I expected less, but there were waffles, oatmeal, and scrambled eggs. There’s also an on-site fitness room with ellipticals, free weights, a cable column, and space to stretch. It’s a lovely addition to the Miami University area.

The Fairfield Inn & Suites in Oxford is brand new, and that shows in the fresh decor, but the nice look is where the positives stop. It’s like putting lipstick on a pig. The location is convenient to Miami University, but I’d stay somewhere else until management fixes the many problems. At check-in, nobody told me the breakfast hours or that housekeeping only comes if you ask for it. The pillows were either huge or totally flat, with no comfortable option in between, and the bed left my back hurting the next morning. The HVAC was a nightmare: neither the wall thermostat nor the AC unit controlled the temperature properly, so I sweated all night. Even turning on the fancy-looking shower was confusing.

Set in a park-like setting right on campus, the hotel was quiet and in a perfect location. The rooms were beautiful and roomy, with a separate couch and living area, and the staff were friendly and professional. I watched college basketball on the big HD TV. The price was reasonable, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.