SpringHill Suites by Marriott Annapolis

The price was reasonable, and even with a sports team on our floor we never heard a thing. The rooms are well insulated, clean, and spacious, and the hotel looks new. Breakfast is free and has some good healthy choices.

The front desk saw how surprised I was about the parking charge and waived the fee, so thanks to them. Still, Marriott, charging $10 a night here doesn’t make sense. This is a suburban hotel with a surface lot, no nearby venues, and no reason to park there except to stay at the hotel. Paying through a third party adds to the annoyance. Just add the $10 to the room rate and let guests park for free like other suburban hotels. The room was reasonably comfortable for an adequate midrange hotel, but breakfast was sparse and below Marriott standards. I’d give the place fewer points for charging $10 a night to park.

The breakfast was the biggest letdown. It now ends at 9:30, and when I saw the spread the next morning, the shorter hours made more sense: most things were packaged and processed. The waffle makers and fresh baked goods are gone, replaced by a few breads and sugary packaged waffles to heat in a toaster. The scrambled eggs were lukewarm and watery, the sausage and quiche inedible, and the oatmeal had no flavor. The fruit didn’t look very fresh, and there were fewer drinks to choose from. My family skipped breakfast the second day and ate at a restaurant instead. We’ve stayed here at least eight times over nearly 20 years of attending the Maryland Renaissance Festival, and I’d always been happy with it before. This visit changed that. It still covered most of our basic needs, but lots of small problems added up and the property has gone downhill. I won’t book it again. Parking was the first irritation. A QR code sign said we had to pay, which had never happened on past visits. For a suburban location, $10 a day seems ridiculous, especially since we only parked at night. Payment had to go through a third party, with no option to add it to the room bill. The check-in clerk was professional but not warm or welcoming, unlike in previous years. At checkout, the clerk didn’t even ask how our stay had been. Our room was clean when we arrived and adequate, but the recent renovation made it feel grey and sterile instead of warm. The bathroom seemed untouched, with chips in the tub, an old-fashioned look, and a poor layout. The beds weren’t comfortable and didn’t meet what I expect from Marriott. There was no housekeeping during our two-night stay. We had to ask for extra towels because the room didn’t start with enough for even one night for our group. At other Marriotts, even when sheets aren’t changed daily, they’ve made beds, taken out trash, and refreshed towels when needed. Nobody came in while we were out. I’ve stayed in many Marriotts around the world, and this one no longer seems to meet the brand’s standards. It holds a three-star rating, but I think two stars fits better. The property is convenient to the Faire, though from now on I’ll do day trips or stay somewhere else.

The hotel was in a handy area, with a mall, restaurants, and other attractions close by, and parking was about $10 a day. The staff were friendly and check-in and checkout were quick and easy. Our room was spacious and thoughtfully laid out. There was a huge walk-in closet and a large, comfortable bathroom, plus a convenient bar area with a mini fridge, microwave, and coffee setup. The beds were very comfortable and the couch was nice, though it had a few spots that needed more attention when cleaning. We had a very good stay and would consider coming back.