La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Detroit Metro Airport — Hotel in Romulus

We had originally left a five-star review after our first stay, but unfortunately our return stay has altered that. Initially, what we really loved about this hotel was the staff, I see some reviews say that they are rude, but really it was more like they were real, they would joke around with us and we felt like we were with friends. We felt everyone from reception to housekeeping to breakfast service was just so funny and so relatable. And they were very understanding when we traveled with our dogs. But we recently went on a trip in which we stayed at three different hotels, this being the last one of our trip. We specifically return to this hotel because of our great experience the first time. We travel with our dogs, not because we're crazy dog people, but because we had a bad experience with a boarding facility and we just feel a lot safer having our pups with us. However, we do have to occasionally leave the dogs at the hotel for a few hours at a time so we always reach out to the hotels ahead of time to make sure this is okay. Obviously every hotel policy is going to say that you can't leave them unattended but people who are traveling are more than likely going to have to leave their dogs unattended for a short period of time occasionally. We talked with someone over the phone before our trip, and we made sure that they had our phone number. The first two hotels we stayed at we had great experiences and no complaints, we even had a couple of compliments about the dogs. But at this hotel, something must have set off our dogs, we found out later that there was a party in the room next to us, so we're thinking that might have had something to do with it, because I received a phone call that our dogs were barking. I received this call at about 9:45. I immediately returned to the hotel, where I found our dogs sleeping, so I figured whatever had happened must be over. My husband stayed at the venue his band was playing at, but I decided to stay at the hotel and get some rest. When my husband returned, his key card did not work so he went to the front desk for assistance. When he gave his room number, the person working started berating him about the dogs, going off about how we neglect our dogs and they've been barking from 3:00 until midnight, and that they were about to call animal control and all this other stuff. This really upset my husband, but it really upset me too because what they were saying wasn't true and they were making threats. We checked in at 3:00 and we were at the hotel for a bit, then I had to run my husband somewhere and I immediately returned. I didn't leave again until that evening. Once I receive the phone call from them, which was the only call I received, I left immediately and return to the hotel where I stayed for the rest of the night. I definitely got back long before midnight. Probably closer to 10:15. The next morning I met some of our neighbors and they were actually joking about the whole thing and said they weren't even that upset they just wanted to make sure things were okay. One admitted to having a lot of people over and being loud. I completely understand why the hotel staff needed to address this and I completely agree that they should have and it is something that we would make adjustments with in the future with our travel. This was the first time we ever had an issue with them barking. But what I don't understand is why the person at the front desk yelled at my husband hours after this had already been resolved, I mean my husband didn't get back to the hotel until after 1:00. Or why they had to lie, and make threats to have our dogs taken away and accuse us of being neglectful owners. It was absolutely bizarre and unprofessional. What stinks is everyone else that we interacted with was so wonderful, but this person was just so cruel that we can't justify returning. The following morning I apologized to the other staff for any trouble that we may have caused and they didn't know what we were talking about, they said it's normal and thanked us for coming...

Before you begin to type anything in this box, there's a question that asks: why was it poor? Ladies and gentlemen, let me count the ways! I booked this hotel via Expedia, as it was listed as a VIP Access option. In addition, I had stayed at a few La Quintas in the past with no issue, and this one rated at least four out of five stars. Based on my experience, especially in our new COVID-sensitive reality, I am beyond mystified as to how this was achieved. Keeping with my "count(ing) the ways" intro, here is what I experienced:

1. Check-in was quick. What the host lacked in warmth and a hospitable manner, she more than made up for in efficiency. The process took less than five minutes, and while she wasn't exactly "bad," her disposition almost gave the impression that she'd rather be polishing her fingernails or feeding her goldfish. Not that big of a deal though. I'd take speed over a fake smile and welcome any day.

2. While this was more apparent on the second day, the walls and floor of the elevator looked as if there had been a failed science experiment conducted with the offending scientist leaving in a hurry to escape blame and ridicule. The elevator was completely disgusting. I don't know who decided to caress the walls and leave their hand and fingerprints everywhere, but they were diligent in their application. Unfortunately, the staff was not as diligent in their efforts to present a clean environment because the elevator stayed in full cootie mode for the duration of the stay. There was only a half-hearted attempt to clean the dirty floor.

3. The carpet in the hallway on the third floor looked like it hadn't been cleaned since its installation. My thought was with the extreme downturn in travel, hotels had ample time to deep clean and make aesthetic changes that are usually less conducive when your rooms are constantly full. Nope! Not La Quinta! Apparently, they were still too busy to give their shamefully overtly dirty carpet a bath.

4. The room presented well...at first. The bathroom appeared to be clean until you realize that the shelf underneath the sink was only partially wiped at some point in history because undisturbed dust remained elsewhere. The floor of the shower did its best to warn you that it was a shell of its former self in that it was no longer capable of appearing white. Again, I'm aware that you make some concessions during high-turnover travel, but there was plenty of time to run a Magic Eraser or use a little extra elbow grease coupled with a high-grade solution to restore a semblance of glory. If you're a person who needs an iron and the accompanying board Like I do, then you would have been further disappointed (or amused) with the incredibly nasty ironing board cover. The cover, which was blue when it was born, was sporting a funky brown rash that covered large portions of its body. I didn't freak out because irons often rust and that oxidation bleeds onto the cover, but c'mon son! Change the friggin' cover! You're a hotel chain with considerable resources, not my cousin's closet. Think they considered doing that? Nope! Not La Quinta!

5. Oh, do you enjoy the smell of marijuana while you traverse the hallways of your VIP Access hotel? While I don't attribute this to La Quinta directly, my fellow guests definitely enjoyed blazing up their weed. If they weren't doing it on the third floor, they'd move to the parking lot, which, I actually thought was considerate of them. I know that medical marijuana is all the rage, and I actually have no issue with people indulging, but that took away from the "non-smoking" experience I expected.

In summary, I will never return to this particular La Quinta. To be honest, those who have rated higher than a two have me completely befuddled. Maybe the first and second floors were markedly different. If that's the case, stay away from the third floor at all costs! This hotel makes Motel 6 look like the...

We utilized the park, stay and fly option online for this week Sunday to Thursday to fly out of Detroit to Vegas after crossing over from Canada. The hotel is for the most part a three star property so the review is really related to the overall experience not fanciness of services, building etc as I am a budget traveler more focused on value. Overall the stay was uneventful, a super affordable option to park and fly out of Detroit. Hotel itself has lots of overnight parking, well lit, easily seen from the front facing rooms. For a very quiet travel period we were surprised the room was not ready for the hotel's check in time. We arrived early yet were asked to come back later than the check in time. Room and hotel overall was surface clean however a deep clean would not be amiss. The elevator smelt like the mechanic just did a maintenance on it. Spray and wipe people. Room furniture was dated, bedding clean and comfortable. The rooms are huge as they are long stay compatible with fridge and microwave and food prep size counters. TV was small for the distance it is across the large room. Staff was super friendly and heads up to having breakfast ready to go before even 5:30am scheduled opening such that we enjoyed it prior to our early flight. It is simple and basic however super as it is included in the price, much appreciated and again a facet in choosing our hotels. The hotel is situated in a very quiet, safe, area away from any pedestrian or car traffic that is not related to the hotels. Within five minutes are a variety of restaurants, gas stations and liquor outlets so location is premium. possibly due to Covid a lot of restaurants didn't have the opening hours as advertised online. A little miss by staff in not explaining the importance of the entry ticket at the off site parking lot. We thought the pre-paid voucher was all you need for exit from the facility. We tossed this in the car somewhere and had to rummage to find it on return. A learning point for the hotel, please. There was a little concern from my wife about a gentleman who was sleeping in an upper area chair for some five hours upon our arrival. No judgement on allowing this in times when circumstances are tough on everyone however provide a room as it it is not a great visual for arriving guests and made my wife a little uncomfortable. Front room above/beside the lobby needs some work on the outside rain gutters as they easily overflow in that corner on heavy rain and are extremely noisy as a result in that room as they cascade onto the hard surface below. Would/will I stay again?. Undoubtedly, as the overall price and experience of the park, stay and fly is fantastic value. The parking service is two minutes on the same road. Secure, gated and manned 24hrs and was predominantly the reason for choosing La Quinta. Airport Parking company provided 5...