Travelling nearly 300 out of 365 days of year, I have a lot of experience for reviewing a hotel whether as a business or pleasure traveller. I always try and write an honest, pro and con review and will try to endeavor once more - though my opinion on this one is dropping fast.I booked through Priceline - so I had no idea of the choice of chain -- just general location and star rating. This is touted as a 3-star hotel - it's 1.5 at best for business - 2-star for leisure.
The rooms are all suites. Previousy (under different branding) I shared a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom suite with my business partner. We each had a bedroom with a private bath and when the kids came over for the weekend - they slept on the pullout couch in the living room.
This is a great place for kids - but is no longer a place where I would ever go again for an extended business stay. The name has changed as well as the expectation of quality. If you have mobility issues or visiting guests who have trouble with climbing stairs, there are no elevators. You need to ask for a first floor room.
When I arrived I was given a room on the first floor - which is usually my preference when security is not an issue. However, their were guests above me in another 1 bedroom suite. This large party included at a minimum 2 adults and 3 children. The room also smelled of food odors and poorly masked pet odors. I asked the front desk clerk if there was any way to change where I could be on the top floor for more quiet.
the desk clerk moved me to a 3rd floor, single suite in the back of the complex. Although I thanked her for accomodating me in this matter by remarking I would get some needed exercise, her demeanor did not improve from not quite hostile but no way near pleasant.
The staff at this hotel isn't the most friendly and accomodating staff I have ever dealt with - but they're better than most I've seen in my travels. I was very disappointed to see that there were plenty of 2nd floor vacancies - so putting me so far in the back and away from the main lodge may have been coincidental - but it was as bad as the first room in other ways.
Although the room was spacious and featured a full kitchen, a not so nice amenity was the smell of food odors & mold. The kitchen was extremely dated in decor: the refrigerator had a broken bottom drawer; all the counters were chipped; and the room wasn't cleaned properly evidenced by the fact that there was trash in the kitchen.
Thank heaven I always keep an emergency roll of toilet paper. There was an empty roll and no extras in the bath area. There were 2 bath towels & hand towels - but only one washcloth. The kitchen towels were dingy & shade of light yellow brown - so I wouldn't even attempt preparing any meal in the compact kitchen for sanitation reasons.
Another surpise was roaches...ugh! I was too tired after the 3.5 hour trip - so I just decided to buy bug spray, chlorox and Febreze the next day. After all it was only a 4 night trip.
Now about the bedroom area - The bed was the most uncorfortable as they come. The pillows also reeked of food odors. So another expense - off to the mall for my own pillow. The bed was a full - not a queen as advertised. Trying to remain positive was becoming harder for this inspirational speaker.
The hotel features a social hour Monday to Thursday; however, by the time I finished my meetings - the show was over. There is also a free breakfast with hot and cold choices including fruit, eggs, and bacon OR sausage. If you have an early deparature schedule - you won't be able to take advantage of this amenity either. I leave between 6:45 am and 7:00 am most days - and each time the breakfast set up hadn't been ready.
I was not impressed with what the quality received for the amount paid. I would only stay here again only there were no other viable alternatives or if I had to travel with my pet. I would only recommend this hotel to a friend with strong caveats - stressing only how the hotel does accomodate families and pets.
One final note, this is an extended stay hotel and not in any way a resort hotel. I did complain to the management and the message was not taken seriously. They are quite aware of the shortcomings and from their demeanor & actions - obviously don't care.
Many of the lodgers are there for entire seasons & some just overnight. Very scary are the guests that rent a suite for a party and many non-guests lurking in the rear parking lot. If I were to advise a female colleague, I would insist that she request accomodations away from the rear of the property for security's sake and for health's sake due to the mold on the walkways and structures.
I hope this helps others during their visit to Princeton.
Room Tip: Don't take a room at the rear of the property - if possible stay on the 2nd floor of the buildin...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC