The Stamford Hotel

We stayed almost three weeks and had a spacious room at a reasonable price, with very comfortable beds. A couple of staff members were great, our preferences were noted, and issues were handled as soon as possible. The old-world charm also made the place feel like a warm hug, so I'd come back. It's about a 15-20 minute walk to Stamford Station. There were some minor problems. We had no hot water on our first night, and engineering had to come in. The water still wasn't great afterward, which I wasn't pleased about, though I managed. On another night a boiler-room breakdown left the whole hotel without hot water. The bathroom door had no towel hanger, but that was fixed quickly. Once, our room wasn't cleaned, and I had to remind them every day until I felt sure I wouldn't have to keep doing so. Reviews mentioning tired furnishings or missing coffee condiments have a point. Maria at the front desk was very helpful and treated guests properly while staying respectful. Daniel Willis, the Director of Front Desk, was cheerful, smiley, and helpful too. Maria and Daniel are real assets here. Thanks to both of them for helping make our stay enjoyable.

The room was quiet enough overnight, and the sheets and bathroom were clean, though the shower curtain was stained. But the pool, which was one of the main reasons we booked, was drained and out of service. That should have been made clear when booking, as the Marriott down the street did. Five other parties attending the same event had booked here too, and all of us paid an extra $25 per room for the "Wellness Package." The only perk we actually found was the air filter. There was no bottled water or healthy snack, and the promised breakfast turned into a confusing $20 coffee-stand credit that neither the morning desk staff nor the shop knew about. I ended up paying $24 for two yogurts, two snack bars and water, and couldn't even charge it to the room. The welcome was courteous and check-in was efficient, but the rest of the stay was disappointing. The hotel looks dated, and the guest floor made the poor upkeep obvious: mismatched, partly damaged furniture, stained curtains and dusty lights and phone. The photos on the website gave a very different impression. The heating and AC unit was loud and slow to reach the thermostat setting. The lobby shop had refrigerated snacks, but the pastries looked stale, so we ate at a nearby Mexican place instead. I wouldn't recommend The Stamford Hotel, and next time I'd choose one of the other nearby options.

We checked out early and didn't care if they kept our money. My daughters were afraid to use the pool because there was brown gunk at the bottom and bugs floating in it. There was also a fight in the pool area involving someone who was intoxicated, and the guard did nothing. One of my daughters' towels from home went missing, the hotel towels weren't very clean, and the bed was uncomfortable. The shower was clogged too. Customer service was good, but the place itself badly needs upkeep and updating. I booked this getaway through booking.com and hadn't looked at the reviews beforehand. After this stay, I wouldn't recommend even one night here. Whoever runs the facility needs to do a better job maintaining it.

The restaurant is a highlight, with gourmet food at prices that feel very reasonable. I also appreciate the well-equipped gym, nice pool and indoor parking. I stay at the Sanford Hotel for a few days most weeks, and the clean, comfortable rooms and consistently welcoming, helpful front desk make it feel like a second home. The owners take a personal interest in guests, which gives the place a warm, family feel. Standards are high throughout, and I'm always glad to come back.