Country Inn & Suites by Carlson-Huntsville

Don’t stay here! $ 70/​a night is NOT indicative of what you get. Stained carpet, smelly and brown water are just a few of the complaints. The only upside was the staff who was understanding and helpful.

When I arrived at the hotel, I’d been traveling all day, and I didn’t want to have to deal with any problems. This hotel was listed on my corporate «approved» list, so I figured it couldn’t be all that bad. Was a bit nervous, because there was a one-​star review, and then a four-​star review, and then maybe one that was hidden? But when I saw on Google that there was only one review and it was one star, I started to get a little nervous.
First off, I’m here on business for three days — that means two nights, so no big deal no matter what happens. In a hot place like Alabama, I need air conditioning. For work, I need some sort of Internet access, and a place to plug in my laptop. It’s nice to have a fridge for a longer stay, and a microwave to reheat things I’ve stored. I don’t watch TV, but I do take a shower at least once a day — sometimes more than once when traveling. I don’t drink coffee or tea, and generally find my own beverages when I’m out and about. I also don’t blow-​dry my hair, so hair dryers aren’t important to me.
Those are my priorities.
I show up, and the lady at the front desk smiled, and was genuinely personable. I hope I’m not giving away who this was based on this story, but when I saw that she was from Tuscaloosa, AL, it perked me up, because I thought of Scrubs, and Dr. Kelso, «My Tuscaloosa Heart» and Bunny. Not a one-​star experience to start out with!
Then I get to my room. The directions were a bit confusing — go around the building, second floor — but there were signs, and I figured them out. Mostly.
See, there’s an elevator. But unlike all the other elevators I’ve ever experienced, this one was outdoors in the courtyard. What? Really?
So even though I found the sign that had my room number, what I really wanted was the outdoor elevator. The housekeeping lady I asked said she was confused too, so I didn’t feel so bad.
When I finally took the rickety old elevator up to my room — with the number «1» on the elevator painted on with what appeared to be White Out and a Sharpie — I tried the key and it worked! So far, I have two keys, and each one has worked on every door. But when I go to open the door, it’s like the wood has expanded in the frame, and it’s a real pain to open. I haven’t dealt with a sticky door in ages, and I certainly wasn’t expecting to deal with one day, but sure enough, there it is. Sticky door. Makes a pretty stereotypical screeeeek noise when it opens and closes, too. I’m getting this Scooby Doo Haunted House vibe.
I enter the room, and it’s dark. Thank goodness the light switch is right by the door… click. No lights attached to the switch. What? Okay, so I fumble my to the nearest lamp, and try to locate the on-​off switch by the light of the hotel across from my window. I succeed in flooding the room with cheap CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) light, and decide to turn it back off, opting for the «ambient» window light which is only marginally better.
Let’s cut to the chase: I really don’t like this hotel. The smell of dankness hits me as soon as I walk into the room. The air conditioning is working, but it sounds like a didgeridoo. Google it if you don’t know what one sounds like.
Someone else mentioned the curved shower curtain rod, which my room also has, and the same exact problem. Whoever designed these rooms was on something mind altering, or wasn’t from this planet, or both.
There’s no plug for my laptop, oh, wait, there is… behind the curtain behind the desk. So I get down on the floor, making sure to bump my head (experience complete), and plug my laptop in to the scary looking plug. I’m a little concerned that the power is going to fry my laptop.
The orange light emanating from the hair dryer turns the bathroom into this creepy orange macabre scene. I may have to seriously unplug that, or suffer dramatic nightmares of the Amityville Horror nature this evening.
The fridge is big, but has probably needed a defrost since the Nixon era. I tap the ice inside to confirm my assertion: that’s some very old ice (ice baby).
The microwave is so old (how old is it?) that it has a red LED array rather than the typical cheap green that is fashionable this century.
Two redeeming factors: the pillows and linens smell clean and the office chair (inexplicably) appears brand new, in contrast with the relatively old desk.
There’s a door that leads into the next room, with a flimsy lock and even flimsier chain. Between the creaky front door, and the flimsy side door, I’m not sure how I feel about the security of the room. Then again, most of the emergency door bars around the hotel appear to be dismantled and old. So confusing!
Oh, and one last thing: the hallways remind me of that scene in The Shining.
Overall, if I could do it again, I would have told corporate that I wanted to stay somewhere else. Somewhere better. Somewhere that didn’t creep me out and make me breathe mold all night, listening to the sound of didgeridos.

Family trip returning from Florida. We had our two boys 2 and 4. Front desk was very friendly and lobby was amazing. However once we exited the lobby we entered the hallway from every horror movie in history. Partially lit blinking lights and blistering heat. There were stains in the drop tile ceiling and holes in the walls along the baseboards. Do not let their definition of «suite» fool you. They split a regular sized room into 2 rooms and voila…“suite”. couldn’t open the curtains due to the bed being pressed against the window. Lighting near non existent. We were in the room less than 10 min before we left. Staff was very cooperative about us leaving, but sadly not shocked. Drop the extra $ 20 and stay at the Hampton inn up the road.

We stayed one night. Very clean and well furnished. Staff were helpful. Good breakfast. Excellent Price. We will stay here again.

I stayed here on work travel. I got in at 9:30pm on a Tuesday. I had my roller bag, a 8 lb laptop, my purse, and a bag of dinner and carrying my drink. Out of the two keys to the room they gave me on the first night, neither one worked. I had to walk about a quarter mile to my room only to haul everything back down to the front desk. They apologized and gave me another key. I finally get in. Room was ok. Whoever put the curved rod in the shower should be shot a the door no longer opens and blocks most the bath room, unless you shut the door. If the fan worked that wouldn’t be a problem but since it doesn’t you have to open the door after your shower to de-​fog the place. Of course the hair dryer is right there and you hit the door using it. Come back night 2 and my key doesn’t work again. I’m done staying at these places. This is the second one my travel agent booked me at. It won’t happen again.