I’m not very brand loyal, but after a pretty good experience with Fairfield a few years back, I generally look for them first when I am on the road.
Not as likely to be individually franchisee owned, but rather held by a group management company, the quality of one’s stay is ultra-dependent on how hard the management company works at maintaining the hotel and staff.
TMI Hospitality out of Fargo, which holds a gaggle of Fairfields, does an excellent job. They have the one in Roseville, MN that I first stayed at. North Point Hospitality, out of Atlanta, owns and operates the Fairfield Midtown in Savannah. They built this one from the ground up and it opened in 2016.
On many levels, there are no noticeable differences from one Fairfield to another. They are generally tastefully decorated, with functional rooms geared to the business traveler, adequate work space, free wifi, comfortable lobby, exercise room, pool (this one was outdoor, but heated) and a pretty comprehensive complimentary hot breakfast, where some items change on a daily basis.
Basically, you’re going to find fruit, juices, yogurt, waffles, eggs, breakfast meats, biscuits and gravy, breads and danish, muffins, coffee, tea, and milk. One morning there was scrambled eggs and turkey sausage, another cheese omelets and veggie sausage. Pork sausages were available both days. There are the usual accompaniments, condiments, cream cheese, peanut butter, fruit jellies.
Some observations, not criticisms, of this hotel. Staff wasn’t as welcoming, friendly or helpful as other Fairfields. Let’s call that level of service “perfunctory.” I object to a parking fee when the ramp/lot is part of the hotel. The parking ramp was poorly designed, and should be re-striped, at least, the slots are too small for most current model cars.
Don’t even think about taking a big pick-up or van in there. As a testament to the design error, the hotel has taped up strips of foam on the concrete pillars to try and assist you in minimizing the potential damage putting your car in and out of the space.
Note if you’re making a reservation: rooms with Kings have only a shower. Rooms with two queens have a tub/shower. Not sure why, but that’s the layout of this hotel. Speaking of bathrooms, you can clearly hear bath “activities” from adjacent rooms.
Breakfast was fine, as described above, but one day was an hour late, without explanation. That’s fine if you’re a leisure traveler, or one of a group of seniors off the tour bus, but business people and departing guests are apt to be put off by that kind of thing.
Pluses? Besides the things I’ve mentioned, a nice neighborhood, about 4-5 miles from downtown, shops (including two groceries) and restaurants within walking distance, city bus stops at the front door. Appreciate the outdoor pool was heated to a very comfortable level.
I’d stay again. FYI. Shop hard online for rates. I discovered I was paying 30-40% less than many other guests.
Fairfield Inn Midtown Review
Fairfield Inn Midtown Review