Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Tampa/Brandon, F

The shower was the worst part of the room. There was black mold where the tub met the tile, the caulk was awful, and the faucet kept dripping. My wife refused to shower there, so we drove 225 miles to our next hotel before she would take one. The room itself was fairly clean otherwise. The hallways looked worn, with wrinkled carpets. Breakfast was instant eggs and diced turkey ham, and the potatoes were cheap. Later that week in Daytona Beach, we paid just one dollar more per night for a place right on the beach, with waves all night, a free happy hour, a nice breakfast, clean rooms and common areas, and a full kitchenette. I expected more from this property, especially given its ratings. If it had been decent and clean, I’d have left a good review. I think management is buying Priceline reviews.

Dee at the front desk was the one good part of our stay. She was lovely and really did try to help. Everything else went downhill quickly. We were shown two rooms, and both smelled overwhelmingly of mildew. We were told it had been a problem for months, but nothing seemed to have been done. The smell was musty and sour, like a neglected nursing home, and honestly made me feel sick. On top of that, there were questionable stains on the mattress protector. We’d checked in late and had no choice but to spend the night. It’s shocking for a hotel with a reputable name to have rooms in this condition. This needs attention right away. Be careful booking here.

We’ve stayed here over the years and still love the large, clean suites. The hotel has changed ownership a few times, and is now owned by Choice Hotels. We’ve even graduated to booking a handicap room, lol. The bed and pillows are extremely comfortable, and we always rest well. The full breakfast bar is still great, and the staff are attentive and go above and beyond. It’s lovely to see familiar employees who recognize us, especially Ms Jodi and Ms Tanicia. They feel like family and are always available. Seeing them still here makes it seem like the company cares about its employees. Thank you to them and the whole team at Country Inn & Suites by Raddison faulkenburg Tampa Brandon, you rock! We’re never disappointed when we visit. The new massage chairs are a nice extra, too. The rooms have a microwave and mini fridge. A few things could use upgrades, like touch-up paint in the room and bathroom and maybe lighter carpet to brighten things up, but none of that seems too costly.

The outside looked nice, but the inside was far from decent. My room was disgusting, with a cracked bathtub covered by a mat and mold and mildew underneath it. The doorjambs were rusty, and the carpet was dirty. I also saw a cockroach beside the coffee in the breakfast room. I left and demanded a refund.