Sleep Inn & Suites Abilene Near University — Hotel in Abilene

First of all, I would like to say that out of all the Choice Hotels in the Abilene, Texas, this hotel is my favorite and will always be my favorite and the reason for my sadness is because I could never go back there and feel safe. I will start by saying why they are my favorite. The hotel is located in a quiet area, the rooms are always clean, the beds are comfortable,and the absolute best breakfast out of ALL the Choice Hotels in Abilene. Their biscuits are ALWAYS soft and warm. Everything they serve for breakfast is always fresh. The first time I booked with them last year, I am not sure what went wrong, but I had I arrived at 5pm on a Saturday after an 8 hour drive and several other guest and myself couldn't check-in because the rooms weren't ready. Was tired? Yes did I complain to management? Nope. I didn't even give a negative review. Why not? Because things happen that sometimes can't be controlled and I doubt the employees plotted against the guest to delay our check in for over 3 hours. I'm just showing you how much I love this hotel because EVEN after that incident, I booked with them again. So for me to be on this review page, speaks volumes of how hurt that I am.

I drove 8 hours and checked in after midnight. I already knew that after getting my belongings unloaded from the car and get cleaned up and situated for bed, it would be between 1:30am -2am. At check in, I asked Ms. Spowel if I could have an extended check out at 2pm and her reply was that they don't do extended check out at 2pm and that they never have done that. So I looked at my membership status that said as a member I could get a late check out up to 2pm. Still she said that they only give to 12pm and that I would have to call the front desk. I then told her that I was saying 2pm to be safe, but I was pretty sure that I would be out by 1pm. Still she said that I had to call the front desk and ask them. I didn't say anything. Ok, so I am going to get to bed pretty late, yet I have to disrupt the short rest to make a request that I thought was a reasonable request. I am always getting emails promoting double points for staying with Choice Sunday through Thursday so I knew it wasn't because they were going to be completely booked. I got into bed at 2:30 am. Since it looked like I wasn't going to get my extended check out, I set my alarm for 5:30 am so that I could get breakfast and try to be out on time. My son and I ate and then went back to our rooms. I attempted to go ahead and get dressed so that I could visit my friend's son( she has cancer and her doctor forbids her to take that long of a ride) so various friends and family take turns visiting him, because she feels guilty for having cancer, which she shouldn't. But I am so tired because I haven't had enough rest. I had worked that day and after work, I picked up my son and got on the road. I WAS TIRED. I got back into bed, only allowed myself to lay down for 1 hour. I got up at 8 to get dressed and I left the hotel at 9am. I have absolutely no control over the the prison visit check in process, but anyone who has visited someone in prison knows what I mean. I have no control on the number of people visiting which can make the process longer. I was there for a 2 hour visit. I arrived at check in at 9:15. Just to show how long it can take and this was actually a good day, our visit started at 10:20. At 12:15 the correctional officer told me that I had 5 minutes left. I got up to exit at 12:20. I texted my son at exactly 12:30 to tell him to be ready because I was on my way. Turned on my mapquest to get back to the hotel. It said that it would take me 10 minutes, which I already knew, but I can get lost crossing the street. When I arrived, there was a silver or gray Dodge Charger taking up the entire space underneath the area where people pack and unpack their luggage. I thought that it was strange because one thing that I have noticed about choice customers is that 95% of the time, they are very considerate and they'll never take up the entire entry way. So I had to park behind him. I just remembered that the man was bald and drove a silver or gray Dodge Charger. As I was getting out of my car, the lady that served breakfast that morning went to the car and got in. So after they drove off, I was able to pull all the way in. I entered the lobby and as I was walking in I said I am in 218 and I am checking out now, and her response was " I've already called the cops because your son told me that he's been alone all morning!" I didn't reply. The reason that I didn't reply is because I could tell that she was expecting an argument, and believe me she was ready, but I have a very deep love for Jesus Christ and regardless of what was going on or what she was doing, I still have to treat her with respect. I went to my room and told my son to gather his belongings because we had to go downstairs and wait on the cops. He asked why and I told him that the front desk had said that you told them that I had left you alone all morning. He immediately got upset and started explaining that wasn't how it was said and I told him that I already knew that and not to worry because we didn't do anything that would warrant me getting arrested and my son being placed in foster care. But that doesn't mean that I wasn't shaken. I have never in my life had the cops called on me. I'm 44 years old and I have only received 3 speeding violations. Tickets have been my only encounter with cops. As my son and I are rolling out our luggage, the officer enters into the lobby. I said " Officer, I am the reason that you are here." So I started speaking first. I started by telling him about my conversation with Ms. Spowel at check in. The clerk interrupted me and said" She only told me 12 she didn't mention anything to me about an extended check out!" I didn't interrupt her, I let her finish,and then she proceeded to tell me that she attempted to charge my card twice and it declined. I respected her and allowed her to finish speaking. After she spoke, I told the officer that I had gone to visit someone in prison and before I could continue, he stopped me and said that he understood and he looked at her and said there's nothing she could have done about the prison's check in process. He then told her that this was a communication issues and that the police department doesn't deal with communication issues. The officer walked me outside and told me that the clerk at the front desk had called and told them that I had abandoned my 8 year old child. My son is 5'3 and 140lbs. He isn't 8, he's actually 13 years old. The officer took my information and apologized for the ordeal. I was so shaken up by that entire experience that I left my clothes in the closet. I called the customer relations line to get them back and she called the hotel and the clerk that had called the cops on me told them that I could call her and make arrangements to come back to get them. I told the customer relations lady that I was already 3 hours away and turning around wasn't an option for me at that point. She still said that I can call her, but I was afraid that she would be mean to me and I just couldn't be treated that way again. Plus I had been crying and I my feelings were still hurt which probably would have caused me to be short or have a dry tone with her and regardless of what she had done, I wasn't going to be that way with her and that's the reason I didn't want to speak with her. I was never angry, but I am deeply hurt. Even though it happen on April 30th and here I am today May 2nd I am still crying like it just happened 10 minutes ago. The hotel is a good hotel. I wouldn't judge the entire hotel over a couple of employees. All I want are my clothes back. There's no way I could stay there and feel safe. I wish them well. They won't miss any of my business, but I would definitely miss them. I just want my clothes and I would like to let for everyone to...

I stayed here 6/8/2018-6/10/ with my kids. We were in town for the CALF convention. I chose this location due to its high rating and the fact that I had stayed at Comfort Suites In Tyler the previous month with my kids for a Mother's Day get away and had a phenomenal experience. The room in Tyler was immaculate, breakfast was as I expected, pool was wonderful and staff were great. I got a great rate, paying only $171.82 for the Queen Suite. So- I wasn't worried about staying in another hotel by the same chain. Sleep Inn was NOT up to my expectations. I paid $270.59 for the exact same room, exact same # of days as my Tyler stay to be met with a filthy room. Food in microwave, stains on BOTH bed spreads, food splatter on the desk by the bed, previous tenant's loofie still hanging in the shower, and after playing on the floor for 45 minutes my son was covered in black grime and had to be bathed. I then placed the dirty bedspread on the floor so he could play without getting dirty again. There was also body hair on the sheets on one bed. I went to ACE at the front desk to discuss the matter and waited in line for 45 min. However, there was another couple there arguing with him about their reservation endlessly, and two more people in line behind them trying to check in. So- I gave up, tolerated the dirty room and will never be back. The carpet in the elevator is nasty, as well. Pool had trash and broken pool tiles all over the grounds the whole time I was there and was not safe to take my son to- no one ever cleaned it up...in three days. By far the worst place I have ever stayed in terms of cleanliness. Ace was wonderful, breakfast met my expectations, check-in and out was smooth. But to pay over $100 more for the same room and same # of nights and be met with such disgustingly dirty accommodations was very disappointing. This 2- star rating was earned due to housekeeping/grounds keeping issues. There is also a sign on the third floor directing patrons to ice/vending. There is no ice. I had to go to the lobby to ask why there is a sign saying Ice/Vending and all I could locate was vending and was told, "Oh- only the first two floors have ice." Ok- then change the sign on the third floor. It's frustrating to lug the ice chest all the way down the hall and find no ice. I never write reviews- but this upset me so much I took the time to take pics and post a review to warn others before being met with the same disappointment I was met with. I am a single mom working 3 jobs. When I save up enough money to take my kids somewhere for a family activity, it just irks me to no end to have my hard earned money wasted on poor...

Too bad I cannot give a zero. I am military. Also, I don't smoke, never have. I have been a choice privilege member for years. I am ashamed of this place, and my wife and I used to unquestionably trust Choice Hotels, not anymore.

I was traveling for school. Around 9 April 2014, I got a no smoking room, When my wife compared my travel card usage with my receipts, there was a $150 additional charge unaccounted for from this motel.

When my wife called them, they told her the $150 was for "smoking in a non-smoking room".

If my wife didn't compared my receipts with the charge card, I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN.

Unless you want to be robbed blind, stay away from this place.

On 6 June 2014, my wife called the manager at the Sleep Inn about the charge. I do not smoke, yet according to them, they have pictures of ashes in the sink, and the manager said, "[I] tried to hide it in the bathroom."

The manager then told my wife that there was nothing we could do except pay the extra $150. When we threatened them with military legal, she told my wife, "You do what you think you have to do."

I will not go to this place again, I do not care if I have to sleep in my car.

Update 6 June 2014 1950L: The manager gave copies of the pictures to my wife, and forwarded them to me. I told her that those were not ashes, but whiskers from when I shaved.

My wife told me that she already informed the manager about it. The manager told her that she consulted with the owner and the owner agreed that it was ashes and told my wife that it was a closed case and that she needed to “shut up and pay the $150”.

To the response to the owner: I one thing that I have failed to mention is that I am not a smoker. That is why my wife and I ALWAYS request a non-smoking room for that reason. I have never smoked more than one cigarette in my life, and that cigarette was when I was 14 years old, not in your room.

I am sorry that you believe what you believe. However, from your response and the attitude you gave my wife when trying to amend the situation, you have lost my business with your establishment.

I am sorry to say that in all the Choice Hotels that I have stayed at (over 100 in the past 3 years), you are the only one that lost...