Courtyard by Marriott Rancho Cordova Sacramento

I came back from my work shift over the weekend to find the hot water was out, with no warning or communication. It can't be restored until at least Monday. Such a disappointing stay. This place isn't worth it when there are better Marriott hotels nearby that smell less and include breakfast.

The staff were helpful and kind, and the pool area was nice with heated water. But there isn't a hot tub, and breakfast isn't included. What they do serve was poor and way overpriced. Parking also costs extra. The two second-floor rooms we had smelled of cigarettes, and the heavy air gave me a headache. The carpets were old, the rooms dated, and it was clear the lobby had been remodeled while the rest of the hotel had not. There were rusty areas and muddy grass beside the building, apparently because of an irrigation problem. We stay at Marriott hotels often, and this one didn't feel like the others. I wouldn't recommend it.

The room felt really dirty, and at one point I got itchy enough to wonder if there might be bedbugs. I'll report back if anything does show up. The place seemed dated, and I've never had that feeling at my many other Marriott stays, which are why I usually choose the brand after traveling for work. I picked this hotel because it was the most affordable nearby and I was only passing through, but it wasn't the Marriott experience I'm used to. The $15 nightly parking fee especially shocked me. It's well outside town with plenty of parking, so the charge felt greedy. I wish I'd spent another $20-30 to avoid the experience.

They only service the room every three days, which is fine until you run out of coffee or towels and have to call for more. The bistro bar/Starbucks has a few simple food choices, but they're way overpriced in my opinion. There's no longer a free continental breakfast. It's been a while since I stayed at a Courtyard, but next time I'll use Residence Inn. For $25 more, it offers better value with a kitchenette and free breakfast.