Quality Inn Sarasota I-75 — Hotel in Sarasota

We stayed here a few years ago and everything was nice. I don't know if it got rundown and someone else has taken it over or what - all the employees were very helpful. A young Lexie at the front desk was especially polite and helpful. The housekeeping staff was awesome. I went in rooms they were cleaning a few times to ask questions about local things and they were working their buns off. Our room was clean. It had a very nice, seemed to be new, flat screen TV. It had a good sized refrigerator too which was important with my husband's foods and such. Problem - the door was broken off the freezer and he had hurt his back and we had to put ice packs in there that did not quite freeze. There was no stopper of any type in the drain. The first day we called the front desk and the lady said she would get someone up to fix that. We stayed 3 nights and it never happened.

A lot of things looked dated but other things looked brand new so we have to think things are being updated. The eating area was nice - spacious with everything you expect from a Choice hotel. It was clean and plentiful and if something was not the lady working in there got it immediately.

The hallways smelled like smoke. I know they have smoking rooms on the ends of the hallway so I assume it comes out. I used to smoke but now the smell gives me a headache. I don't imagine there is anything they can do about that. The carpet in the hallways looked new.

The swimming pool and area were very nice and immaculate. The seating was good and the flower bed was beautiful. The pool was perfect.

The bed was comfortable and I am picky. The second night a family was put next to us and it sounded like they were tossing a basketball against the wall at our headboard til after midnight. I don't think that is what they were doing but something. And they had a child, about 10, who was running the hall and loud till after 11. And they argued loudly. I don't know how one is supposed to handle that. The next night when I saw they were still there I took tylenol PM!

So there are many more positives than negatives to this hotel. And the location was very good for where we needed to be - in Sarasota and right between Bradenton and North Port. The new mall is good for walking and has a lot of unique shops. I guess we will have to try it out again maybe next year and see where things have come.

P.S. - I guess without the noisy neighbors I would have rated higher but missing a nights sleep after a long drive was not good for us. I am just not sure what one does about that. We didn't want to call that late at night - if the front desk has to call them and tell them that puts that employee in a difficult spot. At a recent stay somewhere else there was a sign on the TVs in public areas that said - please be considerate of other guests after 10:00pm. Not sure if something like that would work or not. We think 3.5 stars would be better but that isn't an option. We also didn't like the smoke smell in the...

First impression - Wow! Space; comfort.

5 of 5 Submitted: Oct 28, 2013 Stayed: Oct 2013 Coming from England, the first impression is - so much space. I felt at home at once! The travel instructions were very clear which made the property very easy to find. The key was to be found in a container hanging on the front door - I personally found it difficult to open but my husband managed it by turning the box upside down after setting the combination. It was comforting to know that should we have encountered any difficulties, people were a phone call away who could help. The villa location on the complex was just walking distance from the pool which was kept at a lovely temperature. It was close to the tennis court as well. Everywhere in the villa was clean and tidy when we arrived, the kitchen was well equipped and the good laundry facilities ensured I could bring home a case full of clean clothes - such a luxury! Beach towels, towels and linen were plentiful, also a well stocked games cupboard if needed. The estate was also very attractive and well kept - just don't stand under the pine trees - a falling pine cone could hurt you! The villa location was close to the Tamiami Trail which runs through Sarasota, which made access to the beaches fairly simple. Siesta Key is huge, where on Sunday evenings, a group of drummers 'drum down the sun', an evocative gathering. Lido Beach, our favourite, was about 20 minutes drive, near the always interesting St Armands Circle. Anna-Marie Island is worth a visit, again for the beach and the small town feel and the ice cream from the candy-striped shop on legs. As we knew people in Sarasota, they took us to Spanish Point for lunch where there was a live singer. There was also one at Sniki-Tiki (Captain Curt's) on Siesta - to be recommended. The fish restaurant on Casey Key is good too. A visit to the outlet mall at Ellerton's is a must if you want to shop - great value for money. I did walk to Sarasota Square Mall from the villa while my husband played golf - it was no distance, but crossing the roads is frightening. I would have no hesitation in recommending this villa to friends and family. The owners were very good in answering my questions quickly prior to my booking. My one regret - that I couldn't stay longer. Who knows - maybe next time . . .! Owner's Response: These were nice guests who took great care of our home. It would be an honour for us to host a return visit! Helpful votes: 2/2 Did you find this review...

Only one handicap parking space for entire hotel and parking is taped off in front. No human at desk. Instead it's a human that answers a screen in a kiosk placed in the front lobby. unsure if ANY human being is actually staffed on property overnight, which I find scary. No coin machine in a hotel with $3 in quarters needed to wash and $3 in quarters needed to dry. Instead you have to walk to the Days Inn next door or to a local restaurant/store to try to get $6 in a quarters per load. They should not advertise laundry facility as An ammenity if it's this difficult to use coin machine at Days Inn was not working either so I had to insist a human being actually come to the desk to give me quarters after spending almost an hour, and walking a lot, just trying to get change and find where to get laundry soap, since kiosk screen person didn't bother saying a housekeeper would need to be called to come get the single load box of soap and dryer sheet from the front desk cabinet, which is another $5, cash only! suggestion: put soap dispenser and change machine in same room as your washer and dryer! Facility is in need of some maintenance (see photos). Rooms were not overly clean (see photos of bathroom grout mold and missing bath tub drain stopper and mold in drain). Furniture in room is newer and fine. -Hallway smelled like wet carpet. Continental breakfast was just as good as any offered at other hotels we've stayed at in the area in the past. I was charged at 1am the day of check in, even though it clearly said my card # was on file only if I did not cancel and did not show. Not happy that I was sent into a panic overnight because my room was charged even before check in is allowed! Housekeeping was nice, human being in the kiosk screen seemed nice, but I prefer a human behind the desk for help with anything and for safety. People were smoking weed in their cars and lingering in parking lot late at night. They should have security on the property, especially with no human at the desk. Noise late at night by other guests...