Aloft by Marriott Raleigh-Durham Airport Brier Creek

It was our first time at Aloft, a getaway for my cousin’s husband’s birthday. When the front desk heard it was his birthday, he gave us 40 ticket total for each room to spend at the bar and snack room. Everyone we met was so nice. We thought checkout was at 12, but it was 11, and the front desk handled our mix-up kindly. We also took the shuttle to different restaurants around the area, which was beautiful. My husband and I played pool too. I’ll be back.

Whenever work brings me to the Raleigh-Durham area, I try to stay at Aloft Brier Creek. I was there over the holidays for business, and once again it was a great experience. The shuttle rides within five miles made it easy to get food or groceries without the hassle. The rooms were clean, comfortable, and well maintained, and the fridge always had water stocked. More than anything, the staff made work travel feel welcoming and easy. They greeted me warmly and wished me a good day whenever I came or went, with little bits of conversation that felt personal. Special thanks to manager Ransford, Beryl at the morning front desk, and Ovi, the shuttle driver. I didn’t get everyone else’s name, but every staff member I met was wonderful.

The beds and pillows were the best part, and the staff were friendly and welcoming. But we were surprised this was a Marriott property. For what we paid, we expected a lot better upkeep and cleanliness. The place felt worn and poorly maintained. The hallway carpets were heavily stained, the office chair in our room was filthy and stained, and the desks had visible marks too. Even the cheap plastic soap dish made the room feel low quality. In the lobby, the couch cover was torn, adding to the neglected look. The property has potential, but it needs serious attention and updating.

I was let down by the housekeeping. On day one, the bathroom body wash bottle was empty. I reported it at the front desk, and they noted my request, but it was still empty the next day. I checked back with them and was assured it would be handled. By day three it still hadn’t been refilled. The manager’s response was just as ridiculous as the housekeeping service. Tanya, or Tonya, from the bar was the one person who really stood out in a good way. After a long workday, I asked if they had dessert. The bar didn’t normally serve it, but she checked in the back and brought me a cheesecake without charging me. She didn’t know about the poor experiences I’d been having, which made her kindness and effort feel all the more genuine. She completely changed the tone of my stay.