Clarion Hotel The Colony - Plano West

We paid $69 a night, which felt like a good deal, and check-in was simple. Baile was especially helpful. The motel had been bought by Hilton and was being renovated, but over our three-night weekend stay we didn't hear any construction noise. The one snag was that our room wasn't cleaned and the towels weren't replaced on Sunday, so we had to ask at the front desk. Aside from that, we enjoyed the visit.

The manager wouldn't refund my booking, leaving me feeling forced to stay, so book at your own risk. In my experience, management seemed determined to keep the money even though the place fell below basic hospitality standards. I've traveled for work and dealt with plenty of renovation mess, but this was beyond acceptable for a hotel that's open to guests. The exterior looked like a war zone, with debris and caution tape everywhere. Construction materials took up most of the lobby, and there were holes in the hallway ceilings with wires hanging down. Arriving at the Clarion “hotel” in The Colony felt like showing up at a hotel in Fallujah or Baghdad in 2004.

The hotel was quiet enough that it felt like I had the place to myself, and the little convenience shop had the best selection I've seen at a hotel: snacks, frozen meals, toiletries, and drinks. It's also handy for food and things to do nearby, and I liked the outdoor pool. They were renovating while I was there, so there was some daytime noise, but it didn't bother me. My room was nice, though it showed wear that I assume the renovation will address. I only stayed a day and didn't try many amenities, so I can't comment on those. I'd probably stay here again if I was in this part of town.

The mattress and pillows were clean, and the staff were friendly when I could find them, though they seemed overworked and weren't often available. The gym was okay, with room to grow, dumbbells up to 50 lbs, two incline benches but no decline bench, and some cardio machines. The toilet seat in my room wasn't secured properly and nearly sent me off it. I asked the desk to fix it, but nothing happened. The AC controls on the wall didn't work, and the remote that did work was hidden. The TV had disconnected wires hanging behind it, though reconnecting them got it working. The gym water cooler looked like it hadn't worked in months. Breakfast was skimpy, just muffins, apples, and oranges, and the coffee tasted like the carafe. There were no oats or milk, unless you wanted to pay for a tiny bottle at the shop as if it were a gallon. The windows don't open at all, which was a problem when the AC started acting up on my last night. Management tells staff to stop guests from “wandering,” and I felt like a criminal when I was trying to find the pool. The employees apologized for the policy, and I felt for them because management seemed to make their jobs miserable. I won't stay again. I'll pass this review on to corporate and told my company not to send our employees here anymore.