Comfort Suites Albuquerque/North Journal Center — Hotel in Albuquerque

Stayed here for 5 nights in October, visiting my military son. I searched extensively while looking for a hotel in the area, that would be in close proximity to where my son lives, and also would be in a fairly safe location. - as Albuquerque is known for vehicle thefts, breakins, etc. - but some areas are better than others... as this is known to be one of the better areas. Anyway, this hotel was in a good location, just off the highway, but not too close that you heard a lot of highway noise. However, the street it's located on is a street that feeds directly into the on ramps to the highway, so rush hour is a bit busy with traffic. There are a few other hotels nearby, as well as a Denny's and Cracker Barrel within walking distance. There was a pretty good restaurant nearby, about 1/10th of a mile, that was a brewery and restaurant, that was very good, but seems to have odd hours, and would close if it wasn't busy. The hotel itself was very clean and pleasant. There is one elevator, but if you like to take the stairs, the hotel is only 3 stories. The rooms, being suites, were quite spacious, and I loved having 2 TVs. The bathroom and sink/closet area break up the two rooms nicely, and the beds are in the room away from the door, which was great for any hallway noise. Actually, we didn't hear any noise - the hotel is quiet and is in a quiet location. The breakfast was good, with a good selection, and well stocked. There is lemon water set out in the afternoon, which I loved. The front desk staff was friendly also. The one thing I didn't like was that the bathtub is slippery. I read about that in a prior review before I even got to ALB, and just figured I could go to Target or a dollar store and get a bathmat, which is what I did. I mentioned that to the front desk staff, and she responded that the tubs are designed to be non-skid. Not so. Also, she said the hotel could provide us with a bathmat. Well, for a couple of bucks, I bought my own, new, clean bathmat and hat it in our room for the 5 nights, and left it there. Hotels SHOULD make their tubs completely non-skid. I don't know why they wouldn't. How much can that cost? Just pass the cost on - it would be worth it. Anyway, all in all, I liked this hotel, and...

I am so disgusted with this hotel and folks should know why. 1) They advertise big rig parking however it is clearly only designed for small vehicles. By the time I arrived, I was too exhausted to park on the road and hike up to the hotel to cancel and search for another hotel. I fought my way in and took up several parking spots. 2) At check-in, I was told they needed a $98.22 “incidental hold” I expressed my concern over the higher than average and odd amount to which they said that was normal for them. 3) Upon reaching my room, it was difficult to enter because the door was literally falling off the hinges and the door strip was dragging the floor. I had to put down my luggage to use both hands and body weight to open the door. Once inside, the room was somewhat clean, I did have to clean the tub before I could take a shower, it’s as if that was completely overlooked by housekeeping. Again, due to the time of night and my exhaustion, I simply decided to power through, particularly because I had to be up in just 7 hours to head out. 4) Approx 2 weeks later after my stay, while looking through charges on my online banking, I saw the $98.22 charge was fully completed and never refunded. I called the hotel and spoke with a manager who was quite rude but did admit the check-in clerks error in charging me for the room again when it was already a pre-paid room through Priceline. She offered a weak apology and said she’d process a refund, however what she did was process yet ANOTHER $98.22 charge. I called her out on charging it again, she became quite rude and insisted because of her 19 years experience, she knew what she was doing and wasn’t going to fix what I clearly stated was her error. She continued to say she was charging my card AGAIN from Priceline which I asked where to send a screenshot of the $114 I’d ALREADY PAID through Priceline. She ignored my request and again insisted she was the professional. Another week has passed and I have not been able to get this resolved. I have been charged multiple times for an extremely awful experience and I don’t seem to be getting any closer to a resolution. I’ve asked for a return call from a regional manager to which I have...

On our way up to Denver, we stayed overnight at this Comfort Suites in Albuquerque twice. On August 15 and 20. The hotel looks tired and lacks maintenance and landscaping. But more importantly the front desk employees on both occasions had a terrible attitude and seemed not to care at all about the guests. On 8/15 we arrived late afternoon and the front desk agent was sitting down focused on his phone. He had no name tag and wore no face mask. I had to get his attention to be able to check in. He made no eye contact asked for my name, looked up the reservation and asked: 1234? (last four digits of my CC). Not immediately getting what he was asking for I said do you need my credit card? Agent: you don’t understand what I’m saying. Do you want to use this credit card? Sure, even though I pre-paid this reservation.

Agent asked: how many keys? I responded: two. Agent did not look at me. Did not mention how wifi worked or the hours of breakfast the next morning. He certainly did not bid us a good stay. It was the most inhospitable arrival experience at any hotel, ever.

The Wifi code on the key card was misspelled (hm instead of nm). I had to go to the front desk to clarify. The front desk itself was torn up and had duct tape to keep parts together.

On 8/20 we stayed one more night at this property on our way home. Upon arrival at around 5pm we were greeted with a non-welcoming “hello” followed by “can I help you?”

I told the agent we were checking in and I gave her my last name. Contrary to what happened on 8/15, I was asked to show my ID and credit card. I signed multiple waivers in case my pet would destroy the room and was given the key cards. The room number is right there and the elevator is behind you, the female agent pointed out.

If Diamond members of Choice Hotels are treated this way, I wonder how non-members are?

There was no TV channel lineup in the room and not even an alarm clock (room 219). This room did have a small soap dish, the previous room...