La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Sarasota Downtown

The quiet, clean room was just what I wanted, and the bed was super comfortable. It had everything I needed, plus there was plenty of parking and a good breakfast. The staff were friendly and helpful. John pointed us to a wonderful place just up the street, the Wicked Cantina, which I’d recommend too. I had a great stay in Sarasota and will be back.

Breakfast was a bright spot. The staff there always greeted me and asked how I was doing, and the front desk employee and the man who opened the door and pool gate for me were both very kind. I appreciated that. Most of the staff were nice, though once a front desk worker and a housekeeper only made eye contact and didn’t say hello or smile. Good service matters. The hotel itself smelled pleasant, but our room had a lingering odor that seemed to come from a previous guest’s pet. Housekeeping appeared to have cleaned the spot, leaving some discoloration, but the smell remained. I kept coffee in a cup on the table to help cover it. We could hear a neighboring room’s TV day and night, so the soundproofing wasn’t enough. There was no shower chair for someone with a disability, unlike at another La Quinta branch. And although I dialed 0, I couldn’t find a phone in the room.

We chose it for two nights because it was handy for the airport and still reasonably close to downtown. That suited our needs. The front desk was a big help, and the person making the coffee really knew their stuff. It was convenient and did the job. If you want a high-end place, you’ll need to pay more.

The convenient spot near the harbor and downtown Saradota couldn’t make up for how run-down the hotel felt. Rooms and hallways looked dated and worn, and the cheap cleaning products housekeeping used left a bad odor. The stairways smelled awful and looked as if they hadn’t been cleaned. I won’t stay here again, and I’ll think twice before booking another Windham property.