Drury Inn & Suites Marion — Hotel in Marion

This was the second time staying here during our trips from Texas to Michigan in the past 11 years and both times were perfect. Really, all the Drury Inn’s we’ve stayed at in Missouri and Illinois (depending on which route we take) have been great. I have concluded that we need to just stick with this chain since they are very consistent instead of taking a chance with another chain that can be very hit or miss.

The rooms here are top notch. They have the most comfortable bedding and pillows of any hotels in this price range, are clean and updated, easy to use/navigate tv, wall unit climate controlled and all the necessary amenities and more. The two things I like the most are probably things that most people don’t even think about. #1, the walls, floor, door and fixtures are very firm and secure. Example, I knocked on the wall and there was hardly any noise, the door closes with a strong sound, even with the kids stomping around I didn’t feel that it would affect the people below and even the shower does not make a creaking noise walking around it. I know this seems petty, but it shows that they built this hotel strong and secure which makes for a very quiet stay. Even though the hotel was close to capacity being a post-holiday weekend and there was also some type of festival in town, you would hardly know there was another person there because it was so quiet. My #2 favorite thing is the shampoo/conditioner/body wash dispensers on the wall of the shower. I absolutely hate the stupid little bottles that even luxury hotels give you, it’s never enough and just seems so cheap. I know you can get more if need be at other hotels, but it makes me feel more at home and taken care of having a dispenser for you to use at your discretion.

The staff here was excellent. Check-in with a reservation took seemingly less than a minute and the host was very pleasant and nice when my 5 year old wanted to tell her about our vacation. She also personally delivered a crib and sheet up to our room for our 1 year old. Even took the time to help us with the custom sheet that it came with (which was very nice by the way). We ordered pizza to be delivered to the room since it was late and we didn’t feel like going out, so I went back downstairs to look for a knife so we could cut up the pizza for the 1 year old. I asked her and told her what it was for, she disappeared into the back and came out with knives, forks, plates and napkins. Things I didn’t think of but appreciated greatly that she did and took it upon herself to provide without being asked. I wish I had caught her name to give recognition. We also took advantage of the pantry and bought a mac and cheese cup in case the 1 year old wanted something besides pizza. There were lots of goodies and necessities in there that you just charge to the room. Very convenient

The breakfast in the morning is also top notch. Almost everything you could want was available, and it was all very tasty and fresh. This put breakfast at other places to shame, including much more expensive hotels. And also once again, the staff was great. There were at least two employees that I saw that were constantly filling the foods and walking around cleaning tables, sweeping and chatting up the guest. She even knew a couple of them by name which astonished me. If you get there early enough they offer the complimentary dinner and 3 adult beverages which really is unheard of at chains at this level. I’ve only seen that at places you pay upwards of $300/night. Unfortunately we didn’t get there early enough to take advantage of that, but my daughter made sure to go downstairs after pizza and get a bag of the freshly popped popcorn that is offered.

When making a good review, I make it a point to also point out one bad thing (or one good thing for a bad review) just for constructive criticism. After thinking very hard about it, I honestly can’t think of any negative experience. ...

Room was pretty clean. The girls at the desk always had smiles and where sweet. I usually stay at Drury hotels when I travel and I travel every week for work but I think it's time to try other hotels. I noticed when I tried to shave the water was brown. I drained the sink and filled it up a couple times and every time the water was brown. I even ran the water for 15 mins and it did not help. The last time I noticed the water left a thick brown ring in the sink. I also noticed when I took a shower it felt like the water left a film on my skin. I always take my own soap and shampoo with me because I don't like the soap they have. So I know it wasn't from the soap. They clearly have something wrong with their water. It's almost like they recycle it and run it through a filter or something. I told the front desk and she offered to change rooms but if it's in one room it's going to be in all. It is also a pet friendly hotel and this time I took my ankle biters with me. When I called ahead to make sure it was ok to take them I was told it was a $35 deposit to take them. To me deposit means you get it back. When I checked it I was told it was not refundable. I agreed to pay it. Later I found out it was $35 a night. That almost a 3rd of what the room cost and I was not told I would be charged $35 a night. Plus I was charged tax and other stuff on top of that as well as tax and stuff for the room. So I was double taxed. One night I didn't get any sleep do to a couple in the room next to me fighting and slamming stuff. When I called the front desk they did ask them to quiet down but they did not. They offer free breakfast and even do a customer appreciation thing during the week. Like happy hour from 5:30 to 7:00. That means free drinks and appetizers. 3 drink max. Beer, wine and liquor. You get a card at check-in with the week days on it and 1,2,and 3 next to it. To keep track of your drink limit. Its usually a buffet style but since covid it's more brown bag style. The food is really good. Small portions but good. As for drinks don't get liquor. It's all cheap stuff and that not bad but I asked to have all three shots in 1 cup. So I could take it back to my room. All 3 shots together in 1 cup didn't even equal a full shot. Should of got the beer. Lol. Normally it's every day during the week but for some reason they only did it that Monday the following nights the bar was closed. I have noticed the Drury hotels have been cutting back on a lot of stuff. I think they have been using covid as an excuse to do this but I think it's just to save money. I pay a little more to stay at nice hotels because of the extras they offer . Like maid service every day and free breakfast. They no longer offer daily maid service. If you want clean towels you have to take your used towels to the front desk to get clean ones. If they are not going to provide these services then they need to lower their prices as well as put it on the web sites so customers know before they make their reservations. They have a no cancelation policy and they do not tell you about these cut backs even at check-in. So you get screwed once...

Avoid room 221 if you need to be able to sleep!! There is a constant rumble and sound beneath this room (on the musical note of B) that stops the body from relaxing and dozing off. It happens every few minutes and lasts about 3-12 seconds - intermittently enough to keep the body on high alert.

We drove about 8 hrs here to see the total eclipse of the sun, and are exhausted. My friend and I got a king suite, and she's in the king room while I'm on the queen pullout bed in the main room. She says she doesn't hear anything, but I'm hearing and feeling a constant rumble that won't let me fall asleep! It's been 6 hrs since I've been trying to sleep, but no luck, and I'm exasperated!

Over an hour ago I called the front desk and spoke with Rachel, who was very nice. She tried to troubleshoot the cause of the rumbling noise. No, not the elevator, not the ice machine, not the laundry room underneath. (I thought it might be a dryer that is on a wrinkle free setting that keeps turning on and off at the end of a cycle. No, not that.) So Rachel brought me a fan to turn on, hoping that the white noise will help. Nope! No luck. The rumble is louder than the fan. I called back. The only other possible cause she could think of was a generator nearby that keeps turning on and off. And that can't be stopped. 😡

It's now almost 2 am, and I have to be up at 5 am to get a headstart on the eclipse traffic. And then drive the long distance home in a sleep-deprived body and mind!

Drury raised the room price to over $500 per night (with taxes and fees) because of the demand during the April 8, 2024 total eclipse. At that rate, I would have expected a good night's sleep! But no, here I am at 1:50 am CDT, at wit's end with my body clock at 2:50 am, typing this review to warn others. I would have been better off trying to sleep in the car! (But I don't know where my friend parked it.)

Aside from the disruptive noise resulting in giving this hotel only 1 star (should be zero!), the room is clean and the people working here are nice. I wish Drury would refund us 50%, since only 50% of room 221's occupants are able to sleep. SMH. I hope I can stay awake Monday afternoon and not miss seeing the eclipse. I hope my friend will be able to do all the driving home, since I expect to be useless without having had any sleep. It will definitely make our drive back longer if I can't help driving and we have to take longer breaks.

Oh! Drury gave us bottled water, a welcome note, a list of nearby restaurants, and eclipse glasses. That was nice, but it's the least they could do after gouging their room rates during this once in lifetime event!

At 2:20 am CDT (3:20 am EDT) I came back to edit my review. And the rumbling noise is never-ending... and my sleep is non-existent. 😭

Another update: At 2:45 am CDT (3:45 am EDT) the rumble was louder and stronger, and lasted 1...