Marriott Knoxville Downtown — Hotel in Knoxville

Updated Review from 2/18/25

This property is still inconsistent with service and courtesy. Elizabeth at the front desk was extremely kind and friendly and so was Gosah at the restaurant (I know l'm probably misspelling her name but she was from Bali, Indonesia if that helps identify her).

However, the valet at check in had to be asked to help me with my luggage but asked me to fill out a Tripadvisor review. The valet this morning, Parker, was very friendly and asked if l needed help with my things.

I looked at my bill and noticed an internet charge after l had already checked out. High speed internet is complimentary for Gold Elite members. l called and asked that it be removed. l didn't get the name of the person who answered the phone, but she did not apologize for the error at all. When l called back and asked for an apology, as this could cause accounting issues with my travel budget, she was begrudging in profering that.

Earlier that morning, l had called the front desk regarding what l thought was an incorrect valet charge and had no problem immediately and effusively apologizing when l realized it was an old charge that showed up in my text message feed from a few months ago that l mistakenly thought was from today (because the valet company uses the same phone number to text you for retrieval). l relay that vignette to say l have no issue apologizing when l am wrong, but apparently whoever answered the phone did.

I gave them a second chance and it was still too inconsistent for my taste level. Most likely won't be back. They are nicer at the Residence Inn that is also in Downtown Knoxville.

Review from Summer 2024

Meets the Marriott visual standard. Rooms are modern and clean and there is an M Club. But this is essentially a 4 star hotel with 1 star service.

I was extremely disappointed with the lack of complimentary bottled water in the guest rooms and/or at the front desk during the hottest months of summer.

I am a Silver Elite Marriott Bonvoy member and stay at a Marriott property on a weekly basis in different cities for business travel. A bottle of water is usually complimentary for all Bonvoy members no matter what status level. I have been to over 10 cities in the past 90 days staying exclusively at Marriott and have never experienced lack of bottled water in a room at ANY property except this one.

For this to be a Marriott in a smaller city not providing a bottle of water in the room is even more insulting. I noticed no water in my room after checking in and asked for a bottle at the front desk, which at 99% of Marriotts is given upon request at the front desk. I was told it was only available in the M Club Lounge (a fee is required for entry if you are not Platinum Elite) which is ludicrous. So Marriott cannot place a 50 cent bottle of water in the room or offer one to requestors in Tennessee during the hottest month of the summer? This isn’t Southern Hospitality and is not the Marriott standard.

The room l was given was also over a major street and quite noisy.

None of the USB outlets worked in the room for phone charging. Fortunately I brought bricks that plugged in. Otherwise my devices wouldn’t have been able to be charged for my flight tomorrow.

There was a complimentary perfume sampler of aromatherapy spray which mentioned it can be sprayed on the pillows for sleep. I would rather some complimentary earplugs and a bottle of water to help me sleep. I would have also preferred working USB outlets.

I had to chase down the valet when arriving as there literally was no one there to park cars when l arrived. I was almost late for a meeting waiting on the valet.

I will question returning to this property over basic courtesy, hospitality, and amenities. The Hilton down the street has older rooms but their hospitality is top notch. They also provide complimentary bottled water to Hilton Honors members. I will probably stay there instead when l have to return to Knoxville...

Hands down the WORST Marriot hotel I’ve ever stayed in !!!! I was profiled upon my arrival, front desk person was interrupted while helping me by a coworker that took over the check in. She told me the high floor suite I reserved in the Marriot bonvoy app was unavailable at that time but she could downgrade my reserved suite to a lower floor guest room with no change in the price (first issue) yet tired from my 8 hour drive I settled for that room.

Once in my room I was greeted by a dirty bathroom hair everywhere. After trying to get some rest I woke up to housekeepers knocking on 2 separate occasions after informing the first housekeep I had just checked in that morning.

I was had to rude interactions trying to order room service that I left the hotel to find local food to avoid hostile employees.

None of that was as bad as the day of checkout. I woke up to housekeeping again NO WHERE close to check out with a do not disturb tag on my door. The second time I woke up to alarms blaring through the hotel as if there was a fire, in a panic I wake up trying to gather clothes and dress to exit as the alarm system instructed. By the time I walk out of my room a hotel employee informed me there was a false alarm in the building.

After checking out of room the following day I notice a $250 charge on my card from the hotel. I contacted the hotel to inquire I asked to speak to a manager , I was connected to Mark who immediately told me he couldn’t help and had no idea of what the extra cleaning fee charge could be for I need to call back and speak housekeeping to discuss the issue but the manager wasn’t there.

This was a red flag because a Hotel company as big as Marriot should document what additional charges are for. I called the Marriot hotel in Knoxville everyday after checking out which is now the 7th day , NOT ONE EMPLOYEE from the hotel has contacted me about the charge. I have filled multiple complaints with Marriot corporate office ( I spoke to 4 corporate office MANAGERS who told me they couldn’t see why I was charged these additional fees , these same managers reached out to the Marriot Knoxville downtown with no success or answer to why I was charged additional fees) I was lied to multiple by multiple corporate managers I was escalated too being told they couldn’t do anything to help me it was up to the hotel that wasn’t doing anything about the issue. I have yet to receive my money back I have yet to hear from housekeeping manager Michael Day or any from Marriot as company. This was a nightmare for a mediocre hotel , I would never stay at another Marriot and I’m currently taking legal action as a next step since my claim was never resolved yet my money was never refunded. I...

The location was fine. The service was great. From the valet parking to the front desk, to the room cleaning. The room itself was lacking. The room appears to be a recent remodel. There was virtually zero water pressure in both the shower and faucet. Whatever money the hotel hopes to save on water is lost because it takes you twice as long to take a shower. There is a step down coming out of the shower of about 6 inches. Meaning you can easily take a stumble or fall. The bathroom is tiny. Very tiny. There are no towel racks. Towels are placed on a shelf below the sink. Meaning to get a towel you either need to get on your hands and knees in front of the toilet or reach and lean for a towel while sitting on the toilet. Neither of which makes you think 5 star. This is not the worst of the bathroom. In order to turn on the bathroom light you not only have to flip the switch in the bathroom you also must flip a switch outside the bathroom. BTW this means that is someone flips the switch outside the bathroom off you are plunged into complete darkness in the shower. Don’t forget the step when you come out of the shower in the dark.

Another problem with the room is the lighting there is virtually none. After turning on all of the lights the room felt like a cave. The largest light in the room did not work. I had to move the sofa to find out this light was not plugged in. I am guessing the hotel is trying to save on energy? I went to plug in a charger and found all of the wall outlets were covered over. The only plugs were on the end table and on the TV. If you wanted to plug in and sit on the sofa you are completely out of luck. I went to put on the TV and it came up with an error message about an HDMI cable. I called the front desk to ask for help. The helpful person asked if there is an HDMI error I said yes. He said just turn the TV off and on until the menu comes up. It took 11 times for a TV menu.

If you visit this hotel you better come alone. There are no dressers in the room. There are two boxes one in the closet one next to the fridge under the desk where the TV is that you could put clothes. Or on top. If you are there for longer than I was, two days, or if there are more than 1 of you, you will have issues on where to put your clothes. What type of hotel does not have a dresser? One additional piece of advice...get your snack or sodas before you get to the hotel, because a Pepsi will...