Residence Inn by Marriott Reading

The location is good, and the hotel was built only a couple of years ago, but the room was already pretty beat up. There was dirt on the wall and shower curtain, as the pictures show. Parking was awful, with only a couple of spots near the hotel, so it was a long walk from the car. The gym was tiny and missing weights. For a place this new, it already feels rundown.

This has become my go-to place when I visit family in Reading twice a year, and to me it’s easily the best hotel there. They handled all my requests, including early check-in, letting me use office supplies to wrap gifts, and receiving Christmas presents that arrived in the mail. My only gripe is the $3 daily parking charge when there’s no other parking option on campus. Still, it’s no big deal and wouldn’t stop me from staying.

Phil at the front desk quickly fixed a problem with my reservation, and the staff were excellent. The hotel was exceptionally clean, the furniture was nice, and the shower had amazing hot water and strong pressure. The beds were the reason for my low rating. Like at other Marriott’s lately, the mattress felt like a floor and the odd pillows flattened to nothing. I ended up sharing the sofa bed with my grandson, and even with its bar pressing into my hip, it was a little better than that rock-hard bed. My husband is titanium level with marriot, but I’m done with their hotels and those beds. If you like a very firm mattress, this place may suit you. Everything besides the beds gets an A+.

The beds were uncomfortable, and the TV barely responded. I could hear a ding whenever water hit the metal shower grate in another room. After using the bathroom sink, there was a loud clicking noise that went on for about five minutes. Breakfast was all right, but could be better.