La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Phoenix I-10 West

My reservation was for 1-24-26. I had an event at 2pm and planned to return late, so I called to ask if I could check in at 12:30, leave my luggage in the room, and head out. The desk clerk said there’d be an early check-in fee. I explained the situation, but it made no difference. I understand a fee if someone checks in early and uses the room and utilities, but putting bags in and leaving wouldn’t cost the hotel a penny. I’ve stayed at several hotels in Phx that let me do this, and I even check in at the desk and wave goodbye as I head out. It’s convenient to have check-in done and luggage put away before a late return. I don’t want to pay $40 to keep my luggage warm. If the hotel wants customers to return, it should use logic, understanding, and look at the bigger picture. I won’t stay here again. I’ll choose a hotel with less narrow-minded thinking that can make a logical exception.

The room was quaint and the bed was comfortable, but being right beside the lobby and breakfast area made it loud. On the first night we could hear the lobby TV, though the front desk attendant muted it when we asked around 2am. Waffles were another issue: when other guests didn’t tend to the maker right away, its sound kept waking me up like an alarm clock through the wall. La Quinta earns an extra star for the water bottles and the good-tasting water from the filter in the workout room.

The front desk told me there was no security after I asked about the people hanging around across the street, including prostitutes and other unsavory characters. I didn’t feel okay leaving my car there, so I cancelled the reservation right away. I’d booked it with loyalty points, and after trying several times to get them restored through Wyndham’s 800 number, I gave up. Wyndham may not own these properties, but it does run the loyalty program and needs to make this right. I’ll be reconsidering whether to use Wyndham for future stays. They should do better.

I was in the area for work and booked two nights, but the attendant only reserved one. While I was on the job, they called to say the hotel was full and they were moving my belongings to the front desk. Read your reservation carefully and ask the desk to explain it out loud, since they don’t seem to listen well. I’d choose another place if you can.