The Residence Inn is just fine. There is nothing spectacular about it, except for the fun magnets you can put outside your door. Beds are old and not up to Marriott standards. TVs are also old. Nice to have free popcorn and breakfast.
This is an ideal hotel for families looking for a hotel with a kitchen and/or extra room. Not the best place to relax or for a business traveler.
Front desk service was average at best. I'm used to better treatment at a Marriott.

I recently spent two days at this hotel while on business. The location is very convenient, with a great shopping area and many great restaurants within easy walking distance. The front desk staff were quite helpful in helping me navigate the area and recommended some wonderful places to eat. Check in was a breeze. The room was tastefully decorated and a great size, complete with a fully equipped kitchen area to prepare meals in the room. The bed was comfortable and I slept better than I have in any other hotel room over the years. The facility features a pool, hot tub, small gym area and a BBQ grill available to guests to use. The included breakfast was tasty, featuring waffles, fresh fruits, eggs, yogurts, cereals, etc. I couldn't have been happier with my stay here.

This was our third stay at the Residence Inn. I accompanied my husband on a business trip. The hotel is located on the perimeter of a new shopping area called Lakeside Village. It is within walking distance of many restaurants and shops. It also has easy access to the highway going to either Tampa or Orlando. As you may guess from the name, the hotel is designed for longer stays but there is no minimum. The smallest room was a suite which is what we had. We have stayed for a week each time and found it quite comfortable. As for business guests, there is a good sized desk in all of the rooms and wirleless is included. There are also one and two bedroom units available. There was a well equipped kitchenette with table and chairs, and an L-shaped living/bedroom area. The decor was warm and trendy with shades of red and tan and ivory. The public spaces were also nicely decorated. The entire hotel was spotless. On the main level was a large dining area where a buffet breakfast was served each morning. This was included in the price. There was a very good selection of hot and cold items and fresh fruit every morning. The coffee was quite good. The staff in this area were meticulous and particularly attentive to guests. There was an added feature on several evenings per week. They included BBQ's, Taco nights, etc. All included in the price. The pool/hot tub area were also very well maintained and nicely landscaped. I spent some time out there and it was never crowded or noisy. Staff at the reception desk were very helpful and congenial. All staff made a point of greeting guests throughout the hotel. There was a laundry room on the second floor where a load of laundry would cost you $2.50 including soap. Again, a spotless area. There is easy transportation to the downtown Lakeland area by public transit. We frequently drove to nearby Lake Hollingsworth where you could walk 5km around the lake and see the wildlife. There is also a great music/art appreciation in this area with festivals and concerts. We can't say enough about the staff at this hotel and their dedication to excellent service! One negative note was that there were occasions when we could hear people walking around above us. For this reason we request suites on the third (top) floor.

Your first impression starts at the front desk and the female clerk did'nt seem customer service friendly at all. When I walked in the
lobby she was no where to be found. As I stood and waited an
employee passed by and I asked is there anybody working in the area. He shouted out the womans name. The clerk proceeded to come out of the back area and seemed annoyed that I was there
to bother her.
Next she tried to shock me with the room rate and I said, no problem. After printing off a copy of the room bill with someone
elese's name on it, she finally got it right and I got away from an awkard encounter. Come on Marriott...you can find better help than this. I expect to see employees like this at a Checkers restaurant.