Club Carlson - Country Inn & Suites Fresno

I have stayed at Country Inn & Suites Fresno about 4 times, first three times last year when there I could book a room for 15k points but get back 9k+1k booking, making 5k points for a room a great deal. I stayed again in late May 2012 for the 44k bonus points.

The hotel is fairly easy to get to, just off highway 41 at Bullard. You do have to go around a block or U turn to get there.

The building is 3 stories, little in the way of grounds around it, just parking lot with a few other hotels along side.
http://cls.cdn-hotels.com/hotels/1000000/50000/41500/41434/41434_15_b.jpg

Check in is really super, with some of the best front desk staff I have run into. My last stay, I got a welcome basket of goodies at the front desk, and they had also left a basket in my preassigned room - I think the new girl at the front was just making double sure. When I have asked for specific room types, they have always accommodated me. I asked for a very quiet room during one of my stays, and they put me on the otherwise vacant third floor in the corner in a nice mini-suite with king bed and couch/chairs, etc. Other rooms I have stayed in have been king with a comfortable recliner and reasonable sized desk. Wifi has been free and I always got a good signal. TVs seem to be switching to flat panels over this time period, a good number of channels.

http://cls.cdn-hotels.com/hotels/1000000/50000/41500/41434/41434_17_b.jpg
This picture is pretty representative of the rooms.

Beds are very comfortable with nice comfortable pillows. The decor is typical hotel type, with a few nice pictures. Bathrooms are basic with basic fixtures, but everything very well cleaned. Some rooms have fridge, not sure if they all do.

Breakfast is comped with each room, and is usually pretty good. There are usually cook your own waffles, always some breakfast meat, and usually scrambled eggs. Nice selection of bread, pastries, yogurt, etc. and several juices, OK coffee, and tea/hot chocolate mix.
http://cls.cdn-hotels.com/hotels/1000000/50000/41500/41434/41434_19_b.jpghttp://cls.cdn-hotels.com/hotels/1000000/50000/41500/41434/41434_12_b.jpg

There are free cookies at the front desk 24/7 if you get the munchies. There is a lending library of new likely remaindered books, you are just asked to return to any CI&S.

The indoor pool looks reasonable though a little on the small side, and a strong chlorine smell in the first floor hallway. I haven't gone swimming there. Workout room is available

Carlson F&F rate is $70, which is a good price for this calibre hotel in Fresno. Regular price of $110 is too high IMO.

The best part of this hotel is the great staff, whom I have enjoyed each time.

This is one of the most well-written reviews I've ever read.

I have 2 questions:

How did you book a room for 15K points and get back 10K points?

What is the Carlson F&F rate that you refer to?

This is one of the most well-written reviews I've ever read.

I have 2 questions:

How did you book a room for 15K points and get back 10K points?

What is the Carlson F&F rate that you refer to?

Last winter, Carlson gave back 9k points for any points redemption stay-it was a great deal, long since over. At this hotel, 15k for the night, but get back 9k and I think 1k for booking on the Carlson website.

To book Carlson Friends and Family rate, type in carlsonf in the rate code area. See this thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hotel-deals/1006932-carlson-hotels-radisson-family-friends-rate.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/club-carlson/1026229-friends-family-rate-carlsonf-requires-employee-name.html

Awesome, thanks a bunch.

I checked in about a month ago. The bed was lumpy, the room had a strange odor, and the whole set-up strongly suggested dive to me. I didn't stay, but did get the 44k bonus points. There was a Huckleberrys very close by and, while I did not eat there, I have heard good things about their breakfasts.

I checked in about a month ago. The bed was lumpy, the room had a strange odor, and the whole set-up strongly suggested dive to me. I didn't stay, but did get the 44k bonus points. There was a Huckleberrys very close by and, while I did not eat there, I have heard good things about their breakfasts.

Now this is truly one of the most bizarre posts I have ever seen here.

I stayed here a couple weeks ago to visit family and get the 44K bonus. I thought the room was fine - clean and basic but on the old side. The front desk staff was exceptionally nice. There were cookies at the front desk, mints in the lobby, and a little library of books to borrow. The free breakfast was adequate with oatmeal, waffles, cereal, eggs, sausage, and some plastic wrapped pastries. However the breakfast seating area was so small that during the weekend the place was chaotic with everyone hovering trying to find a place to sit down and grab food. I booked with the 35% off promotion so the rate wasn't too bad. However, I would prefer staying at one of the Marriott properties in town which are much nicer and I would only book this hotel if there was a promotion running.

I stayed here March 11-14, 2013. As others have said, the staff was quite nice and the breakfast was good. But the rooms were dated, though comfortable. The cleaning staff did not do a very good job--hair on bathroom floor (I'm bald!), did not replace ice bucket liner, dirty carpet, etc. I've stayed in worse places, but expected more from Carlson. I guess their European properties raised my expectations too high.

I'm a Gold member, but received no welcome amenity.