AC Hotel by Marriott Jackson Ridgeland

The only thing I'd fix is the reading lamp. Its arms are worn out and won't stay in position. Otherwise, I had a very nice room in a quiet spot, and the welcome at check-in was cheerful and friendly. This was my first time staying at an AC, and I'd happily come back.

A little detail I appreciated was the ice machine area, where they had small lidded plastic carafes for making ice water. There were also shower bombs by the lobby elevators for guests. The shower itself was nice, with a ceiling rain head and a movable sprayer with a massage head. My husband is very tall and raised it, then I lowered it for myself. Nearby, there are plenty of restaurants just steps away and a lake with a pleasant walking trail. The hotel feels modern and welcoming, and the outdoor fire looks great as you arrive, though I couldn't tell which entrance was the front. Staff greeted us right away; the desk team was friendly and efficient. They were especially personal and accommodating throughout. One morning I went to the lobby hoping for hot chocolate and couldn't find any. An African American staff member who looked to be in her 60s noticed me looking and asked if I needed help. When I said I was craving cocoa, she returned with one of her own packets. She said she'd brought two and had already had one. I didn't want to take her personal treat, but the offer touched me and left a strong impression. As a retiree, I also liked seeing older employees working there. The one annoyance was waking up several times at night because the air conditioner kept stopping.

Decorah at the front desk made a lasting impression on me. When a guest fell in the elevator, she acted quickly to help, with real concern and professionalism. She was also kind and attentive to me throughout my visit. Her compassion reflects very well on the hotel, and I appreciated her service.

The location made getting around easy, and the rooms were spotless. Everyone on staff was friendly, too. From beginning to end, it was one of my best hotel stays. I'd recommend it to anyone coming to the area.