We stayed overnight at the Fairfield in Charlotte Northlake after missing a connecting flight on a weekend when all of the airport area hotels that US Airways contracts with were full because of an athletic event.

The airline told us to find our own accommodation, and another traveller in the same situation told us that she had found space at the Fairfield.

It was a long $45 cab ride from the airport but at that point we were not going to look for something closer.

The room was clean and had adequate space, there were no odor issues, and the mattress was better than the one that we had slept on at the resort we had just left. The room came with a microwave, a small fridge and a kitchen sink.

The continental breakfast was decent, with the self-serve area kept tidy.

Some earlier reviews complain of a weak Internet signal, but it worked fine in our room.

There were no noise problems.

Check-in and check-out were fast and friendly.

If you need a cab, you are best to ask the front desk to arrange one well in advance as there may not be any in the area.

Your standard hotel. Really small sink area. Breakfast area was also very small with little breakfast options. Prefer Holiday Inn/Express to Fairfield Inn. Location was great for us, though.

We stayed at this hotel for two nights, and can echo what has been said about the internet: It doesn't cost anything, but you get what you (don't) pay for. Not only was it slow, but it also knocked us off and on ... probably because the signal in our room was so weak. Everything else was very "adequate/limited". There was coffee in the room, but one of those tiny one-cup jobs that produces a very weak brew. No tea was placed in the room, but you can get some from the eating area. Breakfast was passable for an included item, with Jimmy Dean sausage/bacon biscuits, a variety of cereals, fruit cups, apple and orange juice and some fresh fruit (bananas and apples). The satellite selection was very limited (4 sports, bunch of local stations, HBO and some random feeds) Missing were premium stations like History, A&E, National Geo, HGTV, and other (better) movie stations. Of course, this is just a matter of preference in the end. I was disappointed in the bed since I prefer a firm to hard mattress, and the pillow-top was overly soft. The room was clean, towels were adequate (not plush by any standard), and the furniture was acceptable. Hotel staff was professional and friendly enough. Unfortunately there is no exercise room connected to this hotel. They have an agreement with a gym nearby, but the hours were so limited that by the time we returned from our business dinners it was closed (8 p.m.)

Not sure what the deal is with most hotels in Charlotte, but like many this one is in serious need of a makeover/upgrade. The rooms are dingy, old and there is a foul odor coming from the pipes.