Candlewood Suites Stafford - Quantico by IHG

The bed was the point where this stay really fell apart. The mattress was still wrapped in plastic under the sheets, and they’d made the bed over it. It was noisy, sweaty, uncomfortable, and, in my view, not hygienic for a paying guest. I checked in around 10:30pm and couldn’t even get basic attention from the receptionist. I said “hello” several times before getting eye contact. If that’s how check-in normally works, management isn’t paying attention. I was also charged a pet fee despite the hotel being advertised as “pet friendly” with no extra charge listed on its website or the IHG app. That felt misleading and predatory. Guests shouldn’t be expected to quietly accept one thing being advertised and another being charged. I tried to raise these problems with the front desk, but they were dismissive and uninterested, with no real help, apology, or urgency. I also used the IHG text function in the app and got no solution or follow-up. There was no ownership or effort. For an IHG-branded place, this was embarrassing: inattentive staff, a fee I hadn’t been told about, no accountability, and a bed that wasn’t fit for a guest. It felt like the hotel was trading on the brand while ignoring basic hospitality. I’ll avoid this location in future and strongly suggest others do the same.

The rooms have already been renovated, and they’re about to start work on the lobby. Stafford Suites is becoming an IHG property and will soon be a Candlewood, so it seems like things may be improving here. Tamara at the desk was cheerful and friendly, and even called after I checked in to ask whether the room was okay. I’d seen the bad reviews and was prepared to leave for somewhere else if things didn’t seem to be changing for the better, but I was impressed.

They’ve recently renovated this hotel.

The staff are incredibly nice, but the hotel itself is a mess right now. The lobby is under construction, which is understandable, but there’s no snack market and nowhere in the building to refill water. They could at least put a big jug in the lobby. During our stay the water was shut off without warning, and nobody could say when it would be back. I’d avoid the place until construction is finished.