Being a Travel Agent exposes you to the good and the bad in our hospitality industry. And as much as I have wanted to be positive in this experience, I really couldn't.
I had to make an overnight trip to Austin, Texas and chose to stay at a Marriott property, in this case, I chose Courtyard By Marriott in the Domain Area. Online, there were decent reviews. Mainly in regards to the comfort and the exceptional service one would expect from a Marriott location.
From the moment I drove up, I had a bad feeling.
Firstly, there was no notice that there was a massive amount of construction.
Secondly, upon check in, I was welcomed with rudeness.
Not something that was expected at a Marriott location.
No hello, just a very stern, "What is your name?".
Ok then.
I had requested a higher floor upon booking and was given a second floor room. When I pointed out that I had originally requested a higher floor, the young woman rolled her eyes and sighed very loudly. BUT, I did get a fourth floor room! (Small win)
I get to the fourth floor and I am greeted by a VERY skunky smell, if you get my drift.
I walk all the way to the end of the hallway and enter my room which I will say was clean and put together well.
HOWEVER..
I began noticing a distinct buzzing. It would go on for about 10 minutes and then be off for about 20-30 minutes. I almost thought I was experiencing ringing in my ears so I double checked my blood pressure.
Nope. Not my ears.
I watched tv for a bit and did some work. The tv drowned out the buzz. (Think of a quieter version of the emergency broadcast system test buzz.)
Shower was good. Clean. And it had the shampoo, conditioner, and body wash attached in the shower. Brand was 39 Degrees. Calming eucalyptus and lavender scent.
The bed was wonderfully comfortable!
Too bad I couldn't sleep.
Thanks to the buzzing.
At 4:00 AM I finally had enough and literally began looking for the source of this buzz. By 5:00 AM I found it. It was the mini refrigerator. (It took me this long because it would go off and on and was also located in a closet.)
Unplugged the fridge.
Couldn't get back to sleep.
And it doesn't stop there.
I decided at 6:30 AM to get breakfast at the Bistro downstairs.
Got to the first floor and realized I didn't have my voucher.
Went to the front desk and found a half asleep young man on a stool behind the desk wrapped in a thick comforter. When I asked him if I could get a reprint, he very piously said, "Absolutely not. We don't reprint." I asked him what happens if someone's kid loses theirs and he replied, "Oh well." (Mind you, breakfast is paid for in addition to the room charge.)
Upstairs I go.
Got my voucher and went to the Bistro.
Waited for about 5 minutes for someone to get there.
Literally the ONLY person to give AMAZING customer service was the young lady at the Bistro counter.
Breakfast sandwiches are custom made and cooked right there, no frozen premade food. And my sandwich came with a fresh fruit bowl.
All in all, I am not a fan. While prices were decent for the area as well as the Marriott brand, it has a lot of work as far as employee training and upkeep of the building. I will definitely be looking at other hotels in the area before staying at this location again.
