Element Fort Smith — Hotel in Fort Smith

I recently had a family emergency whereas a close relative in Fort Smith was critically ill. A friend recommended this hotel for its close proximity to the hospital. I have always been a Hilton guy and had never stayed in a Marriott property before. Boy, was I missing out, this place was AWESOME!

Let me say how. It started with my first call to the hotel. When I called, I reached a wonderful young lady named Torrye who was working at the front desk. After explaining the situation, Torrye got us booked into a suite with an affordable rate. She made the process easy because we didn't know the exact date of arrival yet, as it was a 750 mile trip. She made every arrangement for us. I never felt rushed. She told me she was there to help us with this situation and really meant it. Knowing I was traveling with an elderly person with limited mobility, she placed us in a room that would accommodate that issue. Most people these days just get your info, credit card and move on to the next call, but not Torrye. She actually cared. She is an awesome young lady.

So upon arrival, we were shown to our room, which was spotless clean. Then the only bad thing of our stay happened: the air conditioner went out in the middle of the night. No big deal I thought, they can fix it. So the next morning, I went to the front desk and spoke with Brenda, another wonderful person. She got Brandon Corral, one of the managers involved. Brandon said no worries, we will get this right. He went to Melissa Robbins, the general manager. After being briefed, she told me she was moving us to a better room where my 85 year old mother did not have to sleep on a pull out bed. They moved us to another type of suite which was so much better, especially in this stressful situation. These wonderful staff members absolutely went way out of their way to make this stay as comfortable as possible and treated us with the utmost respect and care. Brandon, Brenda and Torrye became almost like a friend to us as we saw them every day.

Breakfast was included, which was made to order and very good. One of the employees there, Iliana, was absolutely a sweetheart! The first day we were there, I asked her if waffles were available. She advised she would see when they would have some as apparently the menu is changed every day. What do you know but the next day they had waffles! Just because I asked. She was a great worker and went out of her way to please everyone. She even told us about her life and her father, a military veteran. Amazing young woman!

As far as the room goes, it was fantastic. Spotless clean, spacious and the bed super comfortable. The shower was fabulous with a sliding clear glass door unlike I have ever seen in a hotel. Overall, the room was outstanding.

But you know what made this place so special? Not the room, or the location or the food. It was the people on the staff. The management team there is doing an absolutely amazing job. The employees there go out of their way to accommodate whatever you need, and all with a smile. Every single one of them truly cared about our situation. Every day we were asked how things were going. I have never been treated so well by a hotel staff, EVER! It was almost sad to leave! I cannot say thank you enough to these wonderful people.

A special message to Marriott: these type of employees are a gift, so you better hold on to them!

Greg...

Just spent two nights at the Element. Never had the experience before. But if others Element by Westin are like this one, they have my loyalty.|Easy check into a nice lobby that is broken up into a breakfast dining area and a sitting area. As you walk to the elevator you go by where they offer free fruit or cookies. I have to stop here and comment on the food. It looks and taste like all the cookie choices and there were at least 5, tasted homemade. In the morning a chief has prepared a custom breakfast that was different both morning. One morning it's was choices of scrambled eggs with sausage and a homemade sweet roll with healthy choice of cereals on the sides. The next morning was a biscuit gravy eggs casserole with bacon or sausage links on the side and bread pudding.|All delicious and the wait staff very friendly in preparing your plate. Also different breads and bagel. A coffee latte cappuccino machine was nearby along with your regular coffee. I didn't discover this this the 2nd day. |The rooms are nice and large with a big screen tv with cable. Easy wifi. The bathroom has a walk-in shower. |There is a microwave and coffee maker on the room. No drinking water bottles so you have get this downstairs. Overall clean and nice....

The service was great! The staff was super nice. The breakfast was the best we had we loved the yogart bar, you order the breakfast at the counter. We had a wheelchair accessible room. It was very accommodating for a wheelchair from the shower to the small kitchen. The kitchen had a small stove, dishwaher and small refrigerator. The room was bright and inviting. We could control the temperature in the room. Lowest it would go is 65. We did notice a temperature difference bewteen the main room (couch and kitchen) and bedroom, especially when the bedroom door was closed. The bathroom facet was motion censored. A little odd. Maybe just let the water longer after being activated would help. The hotel is dog friendly.

My only complaint is the pool. Its small. Max amount of people is 13. There is no air circulation. 100 degrees outside? Well add at least 20 degrees more for the indoor pool. Great if you want to lose weight...lol, but not for older grandparents. We open the doors as much as we could. The staff did bring a fan to help.

My husband wishes for more trolleys for bringing the...