Candlewood Suites Fairbanks by IHG — Hotel in Fairbanks

I stayed here a year ago and everything was superb. Moving here from another hotel nearby (that I had frequented for 5 years) was the best move I ever made. What a difference a year makes though. The rooms still have the best floorplan in the business, the staff is friendly, and the room condition is acceptable (not great, not complaint-worthy). The common areas, however, have become a major problem.

First, there is dog waste everywhere. Not just on the outskirts of the property, but on the sidewalks, even in a box sitting on top of one of the outdoor trash cans (seriously?). Not to mention the yellow urine stains seemingly everywhere in the snow. I understand a lot of pet owners can be inconsiderate, but either find a way to keep the place clean, or stop allowing animals, because the outdoor areas look really bad.

Second, the stairwells seem to be used as a staging area for garbage. I have walked past the same bag of garbage in the stairwell 2-3 days in a row on multiple occasions. I understand if it's there for a few hours in the middle of the day, but overnight it starts to stink.

Speaking of stairwells, the same homeless (?) person has been camped out in the stairwell outside my room for the past three nights in a row. Not only at late hours, but starting as early as 5-6pm. Last night I heard him asking another guest for food as she put her takeout containers on top of one of the piles of garbage in the stairwell.

Finally (and most frustrating), there is hardly any masking discipline among the staff. The agent who checked me in (Desiree) masked up before coming to the counter but tonight I watched a different desk agent check in two separate masked guests with no mask on herself. If that had been me, I would have turned around and left. As a business traveler, my one objective is to get home, and the only thing that could possibly keep me from my airplane seat this Friday is a case of COVID. I wish the staff here would show a little consideration to their guests' health. It makes me wonder how clean the rooms really are.

I'm not looking to get anything back (refund, freebie, or otherwise) for writing this review, but I really hope this property gets its act together, because previously it had felt like a true home away from home. If they can't pull it back together I don't know where I'll be staying on...

My team and I (6 people total) spent approx. 20 days at the Candlewood Suites Fairbanks. As you can imagine, we “rubbed elbows” with the front desk staff quite frequently. Every staff member was pleasant and helpful throughout our stay. They were, of course, courteous, efficient, and professional. But they went out of their way to solve any issue brought to them.

Personally, I almost “wore out my welcome” with Ileana, Natalie, and Marrisa. However, they never failed to greet me with a smile and willingness to tackle the…whatever is next. Yes, I know “it’s their job” but their service is different. Every single time, they were eager to help. These ladies came across so friendly in the midst of “doing their job”…I tip my hat to all of them. They were certainly a most excellent staff to run into day-to-day-to-day and with great attitudes as well. The whole staff had great attitudes. This was my first time to Fairbanks. It may or may not be my last. If I do get to return, Candlewood Suites will be the first place I try to book with. Great job all around. One last thing. Every hotel has a bed, desk, bathroom, etc. There were 2 things unique to Candlewood Suites Fairbanks that made the 3 week stay even better…a little hook on the wall beside the bathroom door and a recliner in every room. Those 2 “little” things made a big difference on a daily basis. Many thanks to Candlewood Suites Fairbanks for including them in...

The first room I was assigned had been cleaned very poorly; hairs in the tub, hairs on the bathroom floor, hairs in the bed, crumbs on the floor. I could not call the desk to explain because the phone did not work, so I went back to the front desk and was assigned another room. That room was the same, potato chips crumbs all over the sofa and floor, hairs throughout the bathroom and in the bed. The room was in the same dirty condition. This phone worked so I called the front desk and the attendant came up to the room with a list of vacant rooms to check for cleanliness. We checked three more rooms and all were in the same condition, It is as if they were not vacuumed and had reused sheets. It was late when I arrived and I had driven for 9 hours so I told the attendant I would just sleep on top of the bed and skip the shower. She did offer to make up the bed with new sheets, but I had her give them to me and I did it myself. I can see one room getting overlooked, but for 5 rooms to all be dirty after housekeeping already went through them tells me management is also to blame. I will add that during my ordeal the attendant was having to move another guest to another room because they had the same problem I did, an unclean room. I will consider other IHG properties in the future, but will never stay at this...