Candlewood Suites Austin-Round Rock by IHG

Maintenance came quickly to fix the garbage disposal. I ended up here at the last minute after cancelling another hotel because its elevator was out, and the low price helped. But some neighbors with kids got loud at times, and I saw some occupants openly drinking alcohol, which I didn’t want my kids exposed to. I wouldn’t call it kid-friendly, and if I had to choose again, especially with children, I wouldn’t stay here.

This worked especially well for me as a contractor on an extended stay. The full kitchen made a big difference, and the room was clean with everything I needed. The staff were welcoming and made me feel at home. It’s right off I-35, with shops and restaurants nearby, so the location was convenient. I’d recommend it for a comfortable longer stay.

For a tight budget, it was decent enough: clean enough, and my car felt safe overnight in the well-lit front parking area. The back wasn’t lit nearly as well, so I didn’t feel safe leaving my car there. The front desk attendant and housekeeping were pleasant. The place is old and could use a facelift. If you’re picky about cleanliness or updates, this may not suit you. There was also that old grandma’s attic smell, and the building could use an industrial air purifier now and then.

We only stayed the first night because there wasn’t another option, then found somewhere else for night two. I barely slept, and the kids’ blankets picked up the damp, musty smell. The A/C made a terrible noise whenever it kicked on and woke everyone. It cooled the room a little, but the humidity made it feel like a sauna. When we opened the room door, we were hit by a humid feeling and a strong mushy odor. I wanted to turn around right then, but my husband had driven for hours and we were all exhausted, so he and the kids fell asleep. There was also a very obvious marijuana smell in the lobby when we arrived. We figured someone who had smoked had just left, but it was still just as strong the next morning with the same receptionist. When another woman was there at checkout, there was no weed smell, so make your own assumptions. There were so many other things that the review would be ten times longer. We were grossed out and won’t come back. For reference, this was room #127. It clearly hadn’t been inspected or maintained regularly. I’d seen the bad reviews and was shocked by how many awful experiences people described, and surprised the place is still open. The good reviews look so fake and repetitive that the bad ones seem like the only real ones. Lesson learned, I won’t book this hotel chain again.