Springhill Suites by Marriott Williamsburg

After a long day at Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream in October, a clean room and excellent service were especially welcome. The front desk staff were helpful and brought extra towels when we ran out. I was surprised by the free ice cream and popsicles from 5 to 8 p.m., a really nice touch I hadn’t encountered at a hotel before. The complimentary breakfast was hot, fresh, and delicious, one of the best hotel breakfasts I’ve had. I truly enjoyed my stay at SpringHill Suites by Marriott and plan to come back on my next Busch Gardens visit.

The staff were kind, and the hotel was very quiet. I only heard an occasional sound when I left the room, and even then it was quiet. Breakfast was good, with eggs, sausage or bacon, a sausage, potato, onion, and pepper hash that was yummy, French toast sticks, oatmeal with lots of toppings, and waffles. I enjoyed it, though I would have liked more pastries and fruit. I liked the area: it felt quiet and safe, with plenty of dining options. The hotel itself was okay. Some outlets in our room didn’t work, but we managed. The sofa/trundle bed and king bed were comfortable, and we loved the pillows. The bathroom was fine, though I’d prefer white ceiling lights instead of yellow ones. More seriously, the showerhead needed fixing. Its angle sent water through the curtain and onto the floor, and about a third of the bathroom was covered when I noticed. That’s a real hazard. I could have slipped into the tub or toilet, or hit my head, if I hadn’t put a foot towel down. I’d stay here again as long as the shower doesn’t flood the floor.

The view of the lovely trees made it feel like we were in a forest, even though the hotel is next to a parking lot. The staff were welcoming and friendly. I had one minor issue with the room, and they were happy to take care of it.

This was the worst hotel I’ve ever stayed in, and I strongly urge people to avoid it. I was there with my wife and kids when I found live roaches in the room. I killed two, and saw another run behind the fridge. I reported it right away at the front desk and asked to borrow roach spray, but they had none and offered no help. Afterward I noticed other signs of neglect, including damaged door trim and a very dirty couch. The price wasn’t cheap, so the lack of basic cleanliness and service was unacceptable. I hope Marriott corporate knows about this and acts quickly on the serious pest control and maintenance problems.