Discovered this very accomodating establishment in a city with very little choices in terms of hotel variety. Residence Inn by Marriott is an extended stay hotel, which means that it also includes the many fine amenities that goes along with it. Here is our experience upon arriving:
My wife and I checked in at 4:00pm after a 3+ hour drive down from Boston Massachusetts. The desk clerk was very courteous and prompt. Even gave us several suggestions when asked about a good place to eat, being that we were out of towners. There a several different restaurants close by within driving distance. I'd say after a 5 to 10 minute drive, you'll see a host of places ~ some may be familiar, some not. We opted for the coffee shop style eateries. Nothing to be overly concerned about. Still plenty of choices on restaurants to choose from. There are also a couple of large grocery stores/supermarkets nearby as well for those guests who would rather prefer to prepare and cook their own meals in the fully equipped kitchen at the hotel.
With that being said, you will find on the kitchen counter top a in-room coffee maker along with micowavable popcorn. Dishwashing machine also included. Suffice to say that all the eating utensils and cookware are readily available in a neat and organized fashion. Absolutely nothing lacking in the kitchen/dining area, except maybe a single red rose in a long slender vase. (Just kidding!)
They have a pool area and hot tub, but my wife and I had other plans in the area so were unable to enjoy them. However, we did see other guest make good use of them. They have pool accessability times, I believe from 10am to 10pm.
As for the room itself, it was very large and clean. Bed so comfortable enough that my wife and I wondered about the kind of matteress they used. Pillows were fluffy and robust. Plenty of closet space. The bathroom/vanity area was big enough for the both of us to use at the same time. The housekeeping does a good job with keeping such an extensive room in such a clean fashion. And much given praises to the maintenance workers to insure that everything works, from a single light bulb to a squeaking front door ~ which my wife and I never encountered.
The complimentary breakfast that is provided was at best, FAIR, to say the least. We couldn't complain. It was free and it did have an upgraded continental style to it. Besides the ususal bagels/muffins/bread/donuts, they had hot scrambled eggs and fresh waffles. This came with a variety of choices in regards to cereals and oatmeal along with several juices, milks, teas and coffee. The only problem, however, was this....
There was only one girl tending to the breakfast area. The poor dear girl was definitely overworked. Besides, we did notice that she did have some sort of handicap where is was unable to move about as fast and nimble as the average person. Don't get me wrong, my wife and I actually complemented her for all the hard work that she was doing. It was just that this area needed at LEAST two people taking care of the area. And it didn't matter whether this girl was handicapped or not. Even I, a healthy 6'1" 180 lbs. 36 year old man couldn't even monitor.
There were just in influx of guests that would come and eat their way through the morning. But the worst part of this was on behalf of the other guests. Since there is of a somewhat limited seating arrangment in the breakfast lobby area, tables are tremendously appreciated. Unless you like to take your breakfast to your room, which we saw many of the guest were doing. But the problem, like I said, was on behalf of the other guests. After finishing their breakfast meal, about half of them had the audacity to leave all their mess behind. HELLO PEOPLE! There is a designated place to dump your trash and uneaten foood, dispose of your leftover drinks, collect the eating utensils and plates, and a stack of trays that everyone were using. My goodness, are these people ignorant or lazy. Didn't they notice that this was the dilemma in the first place when they first came in to look for a table. Some guests were on the ball and took care of their own mess when dismissing themselves for their table. This only became the problem because it was just this one poor handicapped girl monitoring the area. I could see on her face the disgust when a family of 5 would just stand up and walk away when they were through. This girl would have to clean up their tables, along with a few others, while making sure that there is enough coffee, plates available, hot scramble eggs ~ which she personally had to make. Definitely Residence Inn in Shelton would do well in having an extra part time worker in the morning hours for breakfast time just to clean up after the myriads of guests who grew up without even the commen knowledge of proper etiquette in any given situation. COME ON PEOPLE! This is a serve yourself breakfast buffet. If you were in a restaurant and were being waited on by someone, then - and only then - can you leave with your plates and food behind. That is what a restaurant is. Not a complimentary free breakfast buffett.
This was the first experience for my wife and I to see such a tendency for people to be so self centered and oblivious of the situation. Certainly it's not the hotels fault for accomodating them. But it makes me wonder where these people come from.
On the upside, there is always free cofee and tea in the lobby by the front desk available 24 hours a day. The parking is plentiful. No noise problems with other guests or the surrounding area. In fact, the hotel is nestled between large trees which are part of a forest with much foilage around. Peaceful and refreshing.
Given the opportunity if ever the chance of passing through Connecticut comes our way, my wife and I would definitely stay at the Residence Inn again. The rate they gave us was a value for the money. They charged us $110 per night (tax included), and this was in the middle of peak summer travel season. Excellent place to stay.
Just on tip for all you readers........Eat breakfast good and early, when they open up at 6:30am or 7:00am. Then you'll have no problems having a clean table available with the peace and quiet that you are entitled to have on your well deserved vacation. Just look out when the hordes of other guests make their mess at around 9:00am. Unless you want to see other people who have no manners inculcated in them, then just stay and watch the show. You'll see what I mean.
Otherwise, Great Job Residence Inn!! Your place will keep thriving based upon the merit and substance you provide.
LIVE WELL, LAUGH OFTEN, LOVE MUCH!!!!
