Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Des Moines Altoona — Hotel in Altoona

I have been a Marriott property guest for more than three decades. I have never been to a Marriott property which wasn't reasonably managed. The Fairfield Inn in Altoona, IA was no only the worst Marriott property I've stayed at, it is one of the worst of the hundreds of places at which my family and I have stayed.

In this day and age with Covid-19 raging across the country, the American Hotel & Lodging Assoc. (ALHA)(of which Marriott Intl. is a member) and the Iowa Lodging Assoc., both recommend CDC guidelines for of cleanliness and lodging behavior, including masks, barriers, routine cleaning, and social distancing. We stayed at a Hampton Inn property, and it was exemplary in this regard. The Altoona Fairfield did nothing that indicated adherence to CDC guidelines. Its staff at the desk in the evening when we arrived and in the morning when we left (July 5-6, 2020) did not wear masks and there was no barrier at the front desk. The only thing the desk clerk said was that our room had not been used the night before. The elevator buttons did not look like they had been cleaned and TV controller was dirty.

Finally, when we arrived at the property, the driveway was blocked by a group of about 15 guests and their children, sitting in lawn chairs, drinking beer and throwing baseballs and basketballs back and forth. When I mentioned this to desk clerk she shrugged and did nothing. Needless to say, no one out there we wearing masks or social distancing. I've never seen anything like it.

Inside the lobby, where there are chairs and tables to eat or do work (pre-Covid), the group blocking the driveway had a spread of empty fast food containers and 2 liter soda bottles laid across a couple of counters. It was dirty and discouraging, and certainly nowhere I would feel welcome.

The inn was mostly empty. This may have been as a result of Covid or because it is a new property, but with this type of disregard for basic conduct in this day and age, I can understand and only hope it continues to stay empty until it takes its guests health and well being seriously.

PS: As mentioned above, I stayed at a Hampton Inn in Lincoln, NE for the first time on this same trip (a Hilton property). It was superb. The staff stayed behind a plexiglass curtain, and wore a mask (not a lot to ask). It provided a detailed explanation in writing about the measures it took to insure guest safety and was as conscientious about Covid (the complete opposite of the Fairfield Altoona attitude). The room itself had a seal on the door and the TV controller was sealed in plastic. If I have a Hilton alternative available to me, I'm done...

I came to this hotel a week before checking in.. Came in to get a gift card. The older longer haired gentleman wanted on me. He wasnt sure what he was doing as he hadn't done much of gift cards.. He muddled through it, after assistance, got it taken care. I loved the newness, the décor and the friendliness of the hotel is why I booked a room for myself..

Upon check in for my room, I ended up with the older blonde. only to get half of her attention, calls us up to be waited on, only for her to start a conversation with employee about non work chit chat.. waiting "on her" to finish for her to just give attitude that we hadn't spoke up why were here.. She wasn't listening, wouldn't of mattered she was too busy gossiping.. It was NYE so I though maybe short of staff or just having an off night.. I have worked with hospitality for a number of years so I'm more compassionate to all this..

I Accidently left behind a favorite brand new blanket, Blanket was just taken out of wrap that day .. After driving a distance,went back to the hotel 5 days later to retrieve my item only to be told that it they didn't have it. Older blonde lady at the desk, acted put out (again) that she had to make a phone call to housekeeping and really didn't want to help me in anyway and the fact I was tearing her away from her soap opera that she was engrossed in... So housekeeping and your front help that is representing your hotel, is lacking.. I understand an off day but seriously .... Won't GO BACK...

I am a Lifetime Platinum Elite Member with 963 nights stayed at Marriott in the last 10 years. I recently booked a room and requested a noon check-in time. However the room was not yet ready so I made other plans and returned to the hotel at 4:30pm and they still didn't have my room ready!!!! I was not recognized as a platinum elite member and I was very disappointed with the hotel's management, and it seems like Marriott has been letting me down lately.

Couple months later I gave the hotel another shot. All kinds of problems.

Here are the issues:

The bathroom's mirror light is not working; I had to shave in the dark. I booked a king room but received a queen. The TV remote didn't work well. Netflix, HBO, and YouTube didn't work. The internet speed is under 10 Mbps, specifically 8.88. The hallways are hot and humid. The AC in the room didn't work well; I had it set to 64, but the room felt warm all night. The mobile key didn't work for the fitness center. One of the lights in my room was broken.

3rd stay one year later

-Bathroom mirror lights still don't work. Bathrooms are not bright -my feet are sticking to the carpet. Disgusting. -outlet next to bed doesnt work so light doesn't work.

I've given this hotel 3 chances. Won't be coming back. Its not horrible but for such a new hotel it is very...