Courtyard by Marriott Valdosta

The lobby looks nice and modern, and the coffee shop is good. There was construction in the lower-level hallways. Our room smelled musty, and the bathroom reeked of urine. I couldn’t tell whether it was the wallpaper, grout, or something else, but it smelled like pee in there. We were only there to sleep during a long drive, and the hotel served that purpose. Still, based on other reviews and how little seemed to have changed, I was afraid to let my 9-month-old crawl on the floor.

On my first stay I was on the first floor, near what may have been the hotel HVAC or laundry, and it was noisy. I’d ask for a poolside room. The second time I had a king on the third floor, but bright parking lot lights came in when I opened the balcony door. The fridge and microwave were down in a cabinet on the floor, so you had to bend to use them. Recent renovations also left a strong carpet off-gassing smell. When I arrived that second time, I asked to add a night and was told they were sold out. I checked my Marriott account myself and saw several rooms available for the next night. She hadn’t bothered to check, which felt lazy, so I didn’t stay another night.

The modern Courtyard has great South Georgia customer service. Its ChargePoint EV stations are 205v / 40amp / $0.40 kWh, with no other fees. Highly recommend it.

The advertising for the Valdosta, GA location set expectations way too high. Whoever put it together is a brilliant sales team, I only realized how exaggerated it was after I arrived, when it was too late to cancel. Well played, Courtyard by Marriott. 👏