Marriott Hunt Valley Inn

 

12

18

Laurin R.

Austin, TX

9/25/2007

As a business traveler, I have pretty high standards for hotels.  The Marriott Hunt Valley is average.  Here is my assessment:

1. Don't be fooled by the web - while the pictures on the website made me assume (my own fault) the location of the hotel was in the quiet countryside it is actually on the corner of the highway and another busy road.  Road noise is not bad, though, unless you open the windows.

2. Functioning windows to the outdoors!  This is an exciting perk in the late summer/early fall when the weather is beautiful, and quite unique to hotels nowadays.  Ask for a room away from the road if you'd like to enjoy this perk.

3. Service is not great.  I requested a refrigerator in my room at check-in (4pm) and they agreed to this request.  When the fridge never came, I called around 10pm and they informed me there were no more available (not sure why they didn't communicate this to me before I had to contact them).  When no alternative or advice was offered, I asked if any would be coming available and they didn't know.  I asked to be put on a list to be contacted if one did become available, which I doubt I actually was.

4. The hotel is older, but has been remodeled nicely.  The lobby, common areas, and landscaping are all modern, clean and well maintained.  Rooms are large with comfy beds, and the bathroom is large as well, but the hairdryer is old.  

5. 24-hr exercise room is good sized with a variety of machines and weights, although noticeably older.  Hotel complex also has a tennis court and indoor/outdoor pool.  This is quite a large hotel and would probably suit conferences/events nicely.

6. Location is close to a nice town center in Hunts Valley to the East, as well as Oregon Ridge Park to the West.  Drive West on Shawan Rd  through beautiful horse country if you get a chance - it's gorgeous!

• Add owner comment
• Bookmark
• Send to a Friend
• Link to This Review

 

335

252

Perci N.

San Francisco, CA

2/16/2007

Basic physics lesson: heat rises. In a closed room, the air at the ceiling will generally be warmer than the air at ground level. Now let's apply that lesson to the rooms at the Hunt Valley Inn --- all of which sit at ground level.

When you walk into these nice looking rooms, the far, outfacing wall will have large windows, perfect for letting heat escape and cold in. This time of year, it dips into the teens --- nippy, to say the least. There's patches of snow on the ground that have been there for awhile. Brrrrrr, cold! Time to turn on the heater.

Oh wait, the heater's on. It's at 80 degrees, and you hear the air, but no, it's still cold. That's weird. And then you follow the noise and find the heater vents are toward the front of the room, tiny cracks in the wall at ceiling level.

What does this mean, junior scientists?

The top of the room is 90 degrees. The bottom of the room is 30 degrees.

Fun, no? Perfect sleeping conditions... not. -_-

Pros:
+There's a gym and heated indoor swimming pool.
+The beds and sheets are comfortable.

Cons:
-Tall people like me (6'2") will be bothered by the short ceilings (6'6").
-Room service stops at 11pm, and there's nothing else nearby open late.
-Getting a cab or a hotel shuttle takes 15-20 minutes...!
-I woke up late, because the asked for wakeup call never came!
-The cleaning lady keeps dusting the room clock, accidentally setting the alarm, which happened to be set for 3:48 AM......
-The bathroom is clean... except for the mildewy tiles.
-Absolutely terrible for winter. Half the room is freezing, half the room is too hot.

There's many hotels nearby. Try someplace else.

P.S. If for some reason you must stay here, try out Carraba's Italian Grill across the street in the Hunt Valley Mall - not bad at all.

• Add owner comment
• Bookmark
• Send to a Friend
• Link to This Review