Hampton Inn & Suites Winston-Salem/University Area, NC

The morning staff were cheerful and attentive, the parking area was well lit, and the grounds were kept up nicely. My room was clean, though a little dated. I might stay again, but I’d skip the hot breakfast, which was about as far from homemade as it gets and not good. The night clerk was on a personal phone call while checking me in, which I doubt her boss would want staff doing with guests.

The staff were nice, the rooms clean, and breakfast was full. There’s a large dining room and decent parking. The spot is a little tucked between the highway and main road, but that does make it quiet.

My last visit here was a good one, so this stay was a real letdown. The room looked like it was still being converted into an accessible room, with beds that seemed to be mattresses on frames barely a foot off the floor. It was dim, with hardly any lights, and turning up the temperature didn’t get the heat to come on. Worst of all, the shower stayed ice cold the whole time. I have to come back to the area next month, but I won’t stay here again.

After a 17-hour drive, we arrived at 6:30 a.m. and had some trouble checking in because of a mix-up with our third-party reservation. The receptionist was great and got us sorted out. We finally got to the room and fell asleep around 8:30, with the do not disturb sign on the door. At 10, maintenance knocked, first saying they needed to replace the TV, then claiming they needed a ladder right away. They opened the door. Thankfully, the lock was on, since my partner and I were naked and asleep. I jumped up and told them not to come in, but the worker opened the door two more times while I shouted for him to leave. After they left, the front desk called to say they needed access. I explained we had just arrived and needed rest, and they couldn’t let themselves in while we were there. The manager agreed to have maintenance come back at 2 p.m., which I said was fine. I went downstairs to explain what had happened, but the manager dismissed my concern and said she had put a notice about maintenance in every room. I searched the room before and after she said that, and there was no notice anywhere. She focused on the supposed note instead of apologizing or taking my safety seriously. This ruined our vacation and left me with a new fear of hotels. I’ll never book at any of your locations again if this is how you handle guests’ safety.