We had just come off a great 4-day trip in San Diego and were excited to explore LA and Hollywood for the next couple of days as part of our family vacation. Check-in went smoothly, and the room initially seemed fine. The location of the hotel was great. I truly believe this could have easily been a 3–4 star experience for the room and a 5-star for service—but that’s unfortunately not what we received.
The issue started the morning after our first night. While using the bathroom, I noticed brown water leaking from the base of the toilet and pooling in the grout. I immediately reported this to the front desk. The assistant manager and a technician came up, and the tech confirmed it was indeed leaking brown water from the base of the toilet.
Instead of apologizing and resolving the issue professionally, the assistant manager (possibly named Erik) questioned why I hadn’t reported it the night before. I explained that I’d noticed some moisture but assumed it was from previous use or one of my kids after a shower. I didn’t think much of it until I saw it happening during use the next morning.
The conversation became tense—not vulgar or inappropriate—but definitely uncomfortable. I requested a refund for the second night, which we hadn't stayed yet, and said we would check out. The manager said a refund “wouldn’t be possible” but offered to move us to another room that would be ready after 3pm and that we would have to pack up our belongings (it was 9:30-10am at this point) . We packed up all of our belongings and decided to go ahead with our day trip to Venice Beach, as planned.
However, given the situation, especially with my daughter upset after being barefoot in the bathroom with that water, my wife and I decided we no longer felt comfortable staying there. I called to let the hotel know we wouldn’t be returning and again asked for a refund on the unused second night. What followed were false accusations from the assistant manager, who claimed I was abusive toward staff—completely untrue and disappointing.
Eventually, after back-and-forth calls between Expedia and the hotel, they agreed to split the refund for the unused second night. However, two weeks later, Expedia is still trying to sort it out, saying the property hasn’t finalized the refund yet.
I travel frequently, and this was by far one of the worst experiences—not because of the maintenance issue (which can happen)—but because of how poorly the management handled it. The lack of professionalism, gaslighting, and refusal to take basic accountability were incredibly frustrating. I wasn’t even asking for a refund for the first night—we stayed, after all. I only asked for a refund for the second night we didn’t use, and even that turned into an ordeal.
Just know: if something goes wrong at this hotel, don’t expect “the customer is always right” to apply. In fact, don’t expect reasonable...
Read moreWe had just come off a great 4-day trip in San Diego and were excited to explore LA and Hollywood for the next couple of days as part of our family vacation. Check-in went smoothly, and the room initially seemed fine. The location of the hotel was great. I truly believe this could have easily been a 3–4 star experience for the room and a 5-star for service—but that’s unfortunately not what we received.||The issue started the morning after our first night. While using the bathroom, I noticed brown water leaking from the base of the toilet and pooling in the grout. I immediately reported this to the front desk. The assistant manager and a technician came up, and the tech confirmed it was indeed leaking brown water from the base of the toilet.||Instead of apologizing and resolving the issue professionally, the assistant manager (possibly named Erik) questioned why I hadn’t reported it the night before. I explained that I’d noticed some moisture but assumed it was from previous use or one of my kids after a shower. I didn’t think much of it until I saw it happening during use the next morning.||The conversation became tense—not vulgar or inappropriate—but definitely uncomfortable. I requested a refund for the second night, which we hadn't stayed yet, and said we would check out. The manager said a refund “wouldn’t be possible” but offered to move us to another room that would be ready after 3pm. We packed up all of our belongings and decided to go ahead with our day trip to Venice Beach, as planned.||However, given the situation, especially with my daughter upset after being barefoot in the bathroom with that water, my wife and I decided we no longer felt comfortable staying there. I called to let the hotel know we wouldn’t be returning and again asked for a refund on the unused second night. What followed were false accusations from the assistant manager, who claimed I was abusive toward staff—completely untrue and disappointing.||Eventually, after back-and-forth calls between Expedia and the hotel, they agreed to split the refund for the unused second night. However, two weeks later, Expedia is still trying to sort it out, saying the property hasn’t finalized the refund yet.||I travel frequently, and this was by far one of the worst experiences—not because of the maintenance issue (which can happen)—but because of how poorly the management handled it. The lack of professionalism, gaslighting, and refusal to take basic accountability were incredibly frustrating. I wasn’t even asking for a refund for the first night—we stayed, after all. I only asked for a refund for the second night we didn’t use, and even that turned into an ordeal.||Just know: if something goes wrong at this hotel, don’t expect “the customer is always right” to apply. In fact, don’t expect reasonable...
Read moreI recently had the pleasure of staying at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Downey, and I have to say, it’s a great spot for families and friends visiting the Los Angeles area. Whether you're in town for a quick getaway, a family vacation, or a weekend of fun, this hotel has plenty to offer.
Location: Nestled in Downey, this hotel is in a prime location, giving easy access to a number of popular LA attractions. While it’s a little further out from the heart of downtown, it’s not too far to get to places like Disneyland, Universal Studios, and the LA beaches, making it an excellent base for sightseeing.
Room Features: The rooms are spacious and modern, with large suites that comfortably fit families or groups. Each suite has a small seating area, a work desk, and a mini-fridge, which is super handy for storing snacks and drinks. The beds are comfortable, and I especially appreciated the separate living area—perfect for when the kids are winding down while the adults relax.
Free Breakfast: One of the biggest perks here is the free breakfast—and trust me, it’s a great one! From hot options like scrambled eggs, sausage, and waffles to fresh fruit, yogurt, and cereal, there's something for everyone. It’s the perfect way to start the day without having to leave the hotel for breakfast, especially when you're in a hurry to get to the day’s activities.
Parking Fees: Now, as with most hotels in LA, there’s a $13 per day parking charge. While it's not too high compared to other LA hotels, it’s still something to keep in mind. It’s a bit of a bummer when you’re already paying for a stay, but I guess that’s the price of convenience. The parking lot is secure, so you can feel safe leaving your car there.
Family & Friends Friendly: SpringHill Suites is definitely geared towards families and groups. The spacious rooms, the convenient breakfast, and the friendly staff all make it an excellent choice for anyone traveling with kids or friends. There’s also a pool on-site, which is perfect for unwinding after a long day of sightseeing.
Final Thoughts: Overall, I had a fantastic experience at SpringHill Suites Downey. It's a great choice for those looking for a comfortable and affordable stay near LA's attractions. The free breakfast and spacious rooms are definite highlights, while the parking charge is a minor inconvenience that’s easy to overlook considering the overall value.
If you're traveling with family or friends, this is...
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