Residence Inn by Marriott Sebring — Hotel in Sebring

My husband and I went to Sebring, Florida to visit some friends for 5 days and this was our first time staying at a Residence Inn by Marriott. We were both quite impressed as we didn't know what to expect. When we arrived at 6:00 pm it took less than 5 minutes to check in and receive our room key. We were given a Lake View King Room with a Sofa bed on the first floor and it was beautiful! Since our room choice didn't have a photo on the Residence Inn website when I was researching hotels, (where the photo was supposed to be it said, "coming soon") I wasn't sure what to expect! I was pleasantly surprised at how luxurious it was! The room was extremely clean and well-maintained. We had a small kitchenette with a full-size refrigerator, microwave, 2 burner stove, cookware, plates/utensils, coffee mugs, and glassware for 4 people. It also had a coffee maker (with 3 packets of coffee provided). The freezer also had an icemaker inside. We didn't take advantage of having a kitchenette because we ended up eating lunches and dinners out with the friends we were visiting but it was nice to have if we wanted to use it!|The bedroom contained a king-size bed that was extremely comfortable with very soft luxurious sheets/comforter and lots of pillows to keep us cozy and extra bedding was in the closet in a zippered case if needed for the sleeper sofa that was in the living room. The bedroom also had a good-sized TV if you like to watch TV in bed!|The bathroom layout was nice and roomy with the vanity separate from the shower & toilet. Shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner were provided in pump containers as a convenience inside the shower. The towels were large and soft and felt very luxurious and a hairdryer was in the vanity cupboard. The ironing board and iron along with a laundry basket were inside the closet in the bathroom. |I was impressed that our room was fairly soundproof as we didn't hear our neighbors on either side which was a blessing! A large TV was in the living room and had a nice Welcome message with my name on it when we arrived which was a first for me! |The real bonus was the scrumptious hot buffet that was provided every morning just off to the side of the lobby. Every day a selection of regular & decaf coffee was available, (along with hot chocolate packets or hot tea packets). Food choices were numerous and the options included bagels, English muffins, and individually wrapped blueberry muffins. Also provided daily were scrambled eggs, a breakfast meat that changed daily (like chicken sausage, pork sausage or bacon) biscuits & gravy, hot oatmeal with a large assortment of toppings, a waffle maker, hard-boiled eggs, a variety of cereal boxes, yogurts, fresh fruits, and 3 kinds of juices. I've never had such good breakfast choices before in a hotel. The staff did an excellent job of keeping the buffet items replenished so there was always fresh food available. There was more than enough seating available for guests who came for the breakfast buffet. |The staff that I interacted with were all extremely friendly and helpful. |All in all, this was by far the best hotel experience I've ever had and we will definitely be staying at this hotel again if ever...

The hotel itself was in good shape and all that was expected. The customer service on the other hand was lacking. I have a Marriot gift card that I was trying to use for this one night stay. I tried to use it online to book and they stated I can't use a gift card to hold the room, it required a credit card, but when I check in, I can present it there to use. When I arrived, I talked to the front desk associate and she stated that she couldn't take the gift card at check in, that they do not charge until I check out and that would be when they could apply it and pay any balance remaining. The following morning, I was up early and at the front desk to check out. I stood there for 5 min with no one to be found, so I knocked on the counter and called out for anyone to help with no response. I then called the main line and let it ring and finally someone from behind the wall behind the desk woke up. The young guy who was on duty was sleeping in the back and groggy when he came out. I explained the situation and that I needed to check out but before he runs the credit card, I need him to use this gift card to go against the balance. He said ok he would take care of it. He then asked if I needed a copy of the receipt which I said yes to, so he went to the back and made a copy of the receipt and handed it to me. I asked him how do I have a receipt with the remaining balance if he hasn't taken the gift card from me, he then looked all confused and said the room was already paid for with the credit card. I tried to explain to him again what I told him to begin with but he was unaware of what he was being asked to do or know what was going on. I ended up leaving because I was already late due to having to wait for him to wake up and then trying to explain this gift...

I don't even really know where to begin. We evacuated Miami for Hurricane Irma on Friday, before the storm took a turn south and came around the Florida Gulf stream and struck Sebring where we were staying. It was my wife and my two month other baby girl Dani. When we arrived at the Hotel the City was in a state of panic. However, the hotel staff helped us with our supplies and luggage and kept everyone calm. I have never seen such professionalism and courtesy from an environment that would easily excuse panic and disorder.

The General Manager Leila personally came to our room on a couple of occasions to make sure we were all okay. When our window and doors began leaking their Engineering staff (Adam and Glenn) came up to the room to put down sandbags and brought us extra towels to keep the water from coming in. All the while staying very calm (which we were not). lol.

The most amazing thing that happened was when the storm was at it's zenith. My daughter began experience pressure on her ear canals and was in a quite a bit of pain. The General Manager (Leila) found a pediatrician staying at the hotel who explained everything to us and helped us develop a remedy. Writing this now almost brings me to tears.

We would not have done very well at all without this amazing staff, whom after the storm used their gas grill to begin grilling food for everybody and made it a fun event to be at after a day of absolute fear and destruction.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart and I can't wait to see you all again for my end of year meeting in Avon Park!

(Pictures below of the...