I spent three nights at the Residence Inn Memphis Downtown, and I must say, this property left me…read morewith mixed feelings.
Let's start with my arrival, because getting INTO the hotel was an experience of its own. LOL. The lobby doors were locked, so I pressed the buzzer. No response. Thinking I might have approached the wrong entrance, I walked around to the Starbucks entrance. LOCKED TOO! Eventually, I managed to get inside.
Once I made it in, things started looking up. The building has some beautiful architectural character, and both the bellhop and front desk representative were extremely personable and welcoming.
Now, let's talk about my ROOM!
I stayed in a loft on the sixth floor, and I absolutely LOVED the layout. The space was impressive, thoughtfully designed, and made excellent use of every square foot. Definitely one of the highlights of my stay.
HOWEVER, there was one issue I simply couldn't ignore. THE SMELL!
There was a persistent, unidentifiable odor throughout the sixth floor and inside my room. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Was it mildew? Mold? Or perhaps another guest cooking up an international feast that had the entire floor smelling like their kitchen? WHO KNOWS! Whatever it was, it wasn't pleasant.
I eventually got used to it, but every time I stepped off the elevator or returned to my room, there it was again.
And then there's BREAKFAST. BABY, WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT!
I've stayed at my fair share of Residence Inn properties, and this was easily the worst breakfast experience I've had at one. First, the breakfast area was extremely small and constantly congested. Trying to navigate the space while everyone was attempting to grab breakfast was an experience in itself.
The selection was limited, and the food lacked flavor. Honestly, some of it was borderline inedible. The only saving graces were the prepackaged items and the waffles I made myself using the waffle maker. At least I could count on those! LOL.
For a property carrying the Marriott name, I expected a little more, especially considering my experiences at other Residence Inn locations.
Overall, I genuinely liked the property. The architecture, welcoming staff, and impressive loft were definite highlights. However, the unpleasant odor, disappointing breakfast, and difficulty accessing the building certainly took away from what could have been a much better experience.
Would I stay here again? Possibly. But I'd definitely have some questions about that sixth floor before booking another room. And next time, I might just plan on getting breakfast somewhere else!