Fairfield Inn & Suites Twentynine Palms-Joshua Tree National Park

Timothy at the front desk was really nice and clearly cares about his work. He went out of his way to make sure I was taken care of. The rooms were clean and comfortable, and the location was great. I’d definitely stay here again.

Donna, who was working in the breakfast area, was amazing. I stayed over New Year’s Eve when the hotel was packed, so the buffet was crowded and people kept asking her to refill things. She worked nonstop to bring out food and replenish the buffet and utensils, and basically kept it running on her own. That’s why I’m giving service five stars. The room itself was adequate, though I noticed a few cleaning problems: an odd stain on the mattress, someone else’s hair in the bathroom, and a section of the fridge that was very dirty and clearly hadn’t been cleaned in a while. Most of the room was clean. The walls are thin, and noisy neighbors will be easy to hear. I was here to visit Joshua Tree National Park.

This place badly needs updating. The hotel breakfast seemed typical, but the bed was awful, sagging so much I could feel the edges of the mattress. The bathroom wallpaper had mold, the fan didn’t work, and although the AC said 63, my thermometer read 72. The room did feel clean, but the mold made me question that, and I don’t blame the staff for it. At check-in I only asked whether my room might be ready. The front desk clerk said, “you are so early!” It was 1 p.m. I’d come from the East Coast and was just checking, since sometimes rooms are ready by then. I wasn’t expecting it, though it would have been nice. I’m here for work, so I can’t comment on the location.

The staff were good, but the rooms were terrible: dated, smelly, and with tubs and sinks that needed repair or updating. Breakfast was mediocre, with bagged eggs and limited choices. For what it costs, this isn’t the Marriott experience I’d expect; it felt more like an Econo Lodge, and Marriott standards have really gone downhill. There’s also a $15 parking fee, which seems unreasonable for a location that isn’t in a crowded city. I don’t think we’ll be back.