Springhill Suites by Marriott Waco Woodway

The fire alarms went off around 1:00 AM for what seemed like no reason, which made an already disappointing stay worse. The room was far less cared for than the online photos and reviews led me to expect. Metal fixtures, including the lights and bathroom fittings, were rusty or heavily water stained. Some colleagues have had the same experience recently. I’d look at the Element hotel instead.

It was such a relief to find a quiet, clean room here, with great service and the best breakfast of our week on the road staying at Hiltons and Marriotts. There were lots of choices: real bacon, two kinds of waffles, three kinds of fresh fruit, and oatmeal with more than eight toppings. We’d left a Hampton hotel in South Waco the night before for the first time ever because it smelled horribly moldy and was filthy. So thankful we came here!

The pool was closed for maintenance, but Jade offered us admission to the local Y when we checked in. She was also very friendly at the front desk. Later, Bianca looked after us when we ordered drinks at the bar. We played cards in the lobby, and she was attentive, wonderful with the kids, and chatted with them about their interests so they had a good time during her shift.

The indoor pool is a real plus, though the chlorine smell was strong enough that I wouldn’t suggest using it with open wounds or sensitive skin like eczema. The facilities overall were in excellent condition and felt complete. I also appreciated getting a welcome drink, which is rare these days. The room was generally clean, with a clean bed, but the sofa could use steam cleaning. There was a crack in the wall where the shower curtain was mounted, and the drain seemed a little slow.