Hotel Topeka at City Center

Being right by the convention center was handy, and the staff were friendly and willing to help. But with a busy three-day event underway, only one elevator was working. Our room was dusty, the desk chair was stained, and there were blood marks on the pillows. The pool and other amenities felt dated, and the fans and vents were extremely dirty. There’s plenty that could be improved.

The breakfast could use a vegetable option, a little more variety, and some healthier choices. The bigger problem was how guests were treated. Garbage sat in the hallways for more than two days, and housekeeping wasn’t managed or scheduled properly. Staff were often unwelcoming and unprofessional, and when I raised concerns or asked questions, I was ignored or met with excuses and a raised voice. Nobody apologized for the mistakes. There were a couple of outstanding employees, but most of the staff, especially the managers, seemed unsuited to the job. It felt as if the owner relied on seasonal third-party workers when there weren’t many guests, then brought in better people only for events. I travel quite a lot and have had plenty of bad hotel stays. This was one of the worst. That’s my perspective, of course, but even a cheap one-star hotel in the middle of nowhere should do better. I’d give this stay an F.

The room air felt unusually dry, the thermostats read cooler than the rooms actually were, and the bathroom water pressure was so strong that the sink faucet aerators need changing because water sprayed everywhere. The linens, including towels and bed covers, were stiff with starch. There were good things too: breakfast had lots of choices and stayed fresh, the rooms and public restrooms were clean, and staff were friendly. Maintenance fixed the elevator after it was down for a day or two. The lobby was nicely decorated and had a pleasant feel. Restaurants and downtown activities are nearby if you’re planning to drive rather than walk. I can see the staff and administration putting effort into the place. At the pace they’re working, I expect the amenities to keep improving over the next couple of years.

Everyone we encountered was kind and friendly, from the breakfast kitchen crew to the staff in the sunflower ballroom at the convention. They clearly work hard and care. When our car battery died in a cold snap, the front desk and maintenance were a big help, and one of them even cleared the snow off the car before we could. The customer service really made the stay.