Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Aiken — Hotel in Aiken County

Under normal circumstances, this would be a 5 star experience. But these are not. Due to CoVid, the personal touches are not available, and it is those personal touches which make Marriott a 5 star hotel. For example, coffee maker, coffee, cups, ice bucket, more hangers (only 2 in closet), and pens/paper are available upon request from the front desk. We weren’t sure if they’d be delivered or we’d have to return to the front desk for pick up. It was late, we were tired, so we unpacked essentials and went to sleep.

As expected, the room was clean, well lit, quiet, and had light & heavy curtains (both used together blocked morning sun well). AC was perfect, as was TV, and clock radio. The outlets on one side of the bed were loose, and not working. Others at desk (5 outlets) and other side of bed (2 outlets) worked perfectly. Bathroom had hairdryer, and soap/shampoo/conditioner containers on the wall in the shower. Bed was comfortable, with plenty of pillows.

After a restful sleep, we went downstairs for breakfast: yogurt, bottled waters, coffee, sausage/egg biscuit, orange, apple/blueberry muffins. We did not choose either of 2 cereals, milk, granola bars, teas, cocoa. We bagged our chosen items and ate in our room. We could have eaten in the breakfast area as a few tables looked as if they could be used. Others were roped off and marked as unavailable. The pool looked wonderful, but we had no time to use it. We know there was a fitness room, and we saw the business area. We had no time to use either of those areas either.

We only saw a couple of staff members - one for check in at 10 last night and one for check out this morning at 10. Both were friendly, professional, and efficient. We hope to return and when we do, we know times will be better & that this will be a five...

My overall poor experience started when I was denied service with my Service Animal. I’m taking that up with the Department of Justice, but is this really somewhere that you want to stay? Somewhere where you have to you have to fight for your own civil rights?

Inconveniences in the room: No water pressure in the shower. About 9 channels on the TV. Curtains are blackout but cut too short to keep the light out. A surprising number of random hairs that don’t match mine—saw some in the bathroom, found others on the bottom of my feet after walking in the room. Ice machine is missing a necessary part. Once I found an outlet to use the coffee maker, I realized it couldn’t work.

I didn’t feel comfortable going into the coffee and breakfast areas after the whole confrontation with my Service Animal, so I can’t speak to the breakfast offerings.

Hospitality is the wrong industry for the staff I encountered during my weekend stay. From their lack of adherence to Federal Law and guest’s civil rights, to the unmanaged renovation mess throughout the property and common areas, you can see that guests aren’t their priority. The room next to mine was under renovation I guess, and resumed in the morning while I was in bed—not a peaceful way to wake up and spend my morning.

I’m sharing some photos of the common areas where guests would normally be able to relax and socialize, along with the perimeter of the hotel. The dumpster is overflowing, and instead of renting a trailer for all of the supplies and equipment, the contractor felt like it was perfectly OK to put it all over the property.

This just isn’t what I have come to know from Marriott…it looks the way the staff made me...

Take a look at the declining reviews, and you will understand why there were only 10 cars in the parking lot when we arrived at 8pm. We won't be back. The initial room booked by the employer was for 2 double beds instead of a King. Asked that they switch to the King, and I'd be happy to pay for any price difference (there was no price difference). Answer: since the employer booked it through a 3rd party, they wouldn't make the switch, regardless of my offer to pay more. Shared with the check in staff that my friend is new to town (first night), will spend a lot of nights in Aiken, and has discretion regarding where to stay. Didn't make a lot of sense to piss her off the first night in town. Said it nicely, just trying to solve the problem, get a place to sleep, and create a win-win. ||||Called the employer who booked the room, they made arrangements for a King, and we went back to the front desk. Talked with Heather, who stated she spoke with her General Manager (Susan). Heather stated that I made her feel uncomfortable, and that we would not be welcome to stay at the hotel. Got our bags and went to the Holiday Inn Express, which was delightful. ||||My friend has Hyatt Globalist status, meaning that she has stayed over 60 nights in 5 months at a Hyatt. Hyatt doesn't have properties in Aiken, hence the need to try Marriott. She will probably have at least 50 nights in Aiken between now and the end of the year. But they will never be at a Marriott property based on this experience. ||||And ... the employer is still battling to get a full refund for the 4 night reservation that we were told that we could not use. ...