Had a two night stay at the Cincinnati Marriott Northeast, which is actually in Mason, Ohio.

Typical Marriott experience for the most part. Room was what I expected, amenities were what I expected, as was the food.

The staff was very friendly, and helpful with a suggestion for dinner. There is also a small Starbucks cafe in the lobby, which makes morning coffee very easy.

The hotel also has a small indoor pool, and a small exercise room, with treadmills etc. Business facilities were also on par with most Marriotts I have stayed at.

Stayed here for what seems like forever last month, for work. I haven't been here for over 6 years, and it hasn't changed a bit. Same slippery floors in reception, same too high reception desk that has you eye to eye with the decolletage of the receptionist.

Staff are always very friendly and helpful, and even the maintenance guy I met in the left asked how my stay was, and thanks for staying with us. Plus points - when I checked in, my Marriott loyalty requests had been logged, so I had a nice quiet room on a high floor, and foam pillows. I must remember to ask them to take away the Tempur foam mattress topper, as I find them most uncomfortable, as they radiate heat.

Like I said, my room was nice and quiet, once I switched off the heating. They have flat screen tellies now - it took me a day to work out that to get regular TV, just press the channel number.

My company gets a free wifi deal, which is just as well, cos' it's $10 a day - outrageous.

Colour scheme in the M leaves a lot to be desired, but it's not offensive. Sheets were clean, no suspicious smudges on the carpet. The curtains didn't meet the ceiling, and it seems someone of my ilk has been in this room before, as they had tried to tape the curtain to the wall to cut out the light which streams in from Biggs across the car park. Sadly, the tape wasn't up good enough. Bathroom was a good size, hairdryer was up to the job and didn't leave my hair a static frizz either. Unfortunately no cosmetic mirror, which meant using the one on the front of the wardrobe. Lots of clean towels every day. The coffee maker is located in the bathroom, and whilst the cups and coffee were replaced every day, there are only 2 weeny tubs of fake milk and stirrers often didn't get replaced. The M doesnt provide a fridge, though I think they will if you ask.

Thumbs up to the Starbucks in the lobby which replaced that dreadful filter stuff they used to have. It also means I didnt have to fork out for breakfast I didnt really need, or want.

I ate in the River City Grille a couple of times in the evening, which is a fairly soul destroying experience when you're on your own. Take a good book, and a sweater. It isn't warm. The menu is limited, which is probably down to the amount of competition they have in the locality these days. Though I wouldnt call Applebees competition anymore. And whatever you do, keep your room key as far away from your Kindle as possible, because it will demagnetise it, which is a trifle embarrassing to realise when you've done it three nights in a row.

The bar stools are uncomfortable, and sitting at the bar means sitting in the dark. The high tables around the bar seem a better bet, if you like to see what you're eating. Service is enthusiastic, but I cannot quite understand why it takes 4 people to man the entrance to an evidently empty restaruant, leaving one poor over-worked lad at the bar, when clearly he could do with a hand. And this wasnt a one off - it was a regular event. And I really don't get why they don't redesign the lobby so that you dont have to either walk the entire circumferance to get to the bar, or walk through the seating area.

Everytime I visit the M, I take my swimming costume, and never yet have I managed to get it wet. The only chance I had this time, it was over-run with the offspring of the National Ohio Guard, and they were having a fine time, so I let them get on with it. They deserve it more than me, and I had work to do. But nobody I know has ever had any complaints about the leisure facilities.

Will I stay here again? Not sure. There is now a Hilton, a Hyatt and a Holiday Inn just half a mile up the road; whilst they don't have such big restaurants, they are on the same side of the road as an awful lot of eateries.

Whenever I go to a low level hilton or marriott they lways feel the same. They all seem to be based on the same design so I never get too excited. This was as to be expected. same-same. Typical lobby, bar, rooms, all very generic.

That being said. The staff were exceptionally helpful. service really was excellent. I was very impressed. Bar was nice, the bar staff are efficient and take care of you. breakfast was good, bar snacks were fine.

Hence 4 rather than 3 stars from me.

Location is again standard affair, surrounded by plastic restaurants and some larger chain stores.

Very good for what it is. you will need a car.

Very nice service hotel. I for got that in some places the guest is the boss :-)
Very clean, confortable and handy gym, swimming pool, restaurant, close to supermarket and shopping area, wi fii, and there is even a small starbuck's at the hotel.

If needed I will come back