Springhill Chandler AZ has the 2nd TV. I thought it understandable yet odd, given they were about 6 feet apart!

For a Hampton Inn cost the Springhill gives quite a bit of room/amenity. ^

So Springhills are supposed to be a "bargain" hotel? I guess I've just been in bad locations then. Whenever I've priced them, the rates are generally more than nearby Courtyards and within 20% of full service Marriotts. Of course, I've been able to get some decent rates using promotion codes that drop the price substantially.

Well, to the OP: the first time LexPax and I checked into a Springhill "Suites", I was shocked, and not at all happy... we sort of made it work, but the totally stupid placement of the extra TV just drove me nuts. Mind you, I speak as a business traveller with lots of equipment and stuff to deal with - so the "Suites" part of advertisement really meant something. We coped, sort of.

This was in PHX, and I actually let Lex talk me into trying another one in the PHX area a month later, because of proximity to the airport or something.

The ultimate verdict (passing lightly over the promised broadband cnx which never worked and ate into my sleep time) is - I'll sleep in my car before I'll give money to those turkeys again.

Sorry, but Marriott is seriously losing our money on cheaper brands. I have never had a problem in a Hilton Garden Inn, and have many Hampton Inns where we get rooms which rival rooms in real (boonie, but really) Marriotts.

I have stayed in several SHS and I think they are a fine middle of the road property. I have stayed in plenty of Marriotts and Hiltons and Sheratons and those hotels are nice. However, I think I am beginning to appreciate not being nickled and dimed to death at the mid range hotels.

Free internet access, a very nice free breakfast, a kitchenette, free parking, etc, etc. I don't necessarily "need" all these things, and some full service will give you some of them as an elite, but they are definitly a nice addition and I think they should be provided when you pay 2 or 3 X's more for a room. I have stayed in SHS in Austin, Houston and Chicago and they have all been well furnished and maintained.

SHS is a winner for me.
 

I have direct experience with three SHS's. Stayed at Plymouth Meeting, PA and at Scottsdale North, AZ multiple times. My father has stayed at the Monroeville, PA location multiple times when visiting us. In all cases they have been newer properties. I like the room layout with the separate work area/sitting room/wet bar and the bedroom area. Yes it is only a large room not a true suite but I find them comfortable and easy to to work in. The free continental breakfast is also good. I have also stayed at numerous Courtyards and Fairfields. The SHS rooms are definitely nicer and more spacious than the FI rooms. CY rooms are also nice, but I miss the wet bar and refrigerator. Don't know about the latest CY format since I haven't stayed at one of those yet. Regardless still have to pay for breakfast at the CY's. As compared to both CY and FI, the SHS properties seem to be consistently newer. Much more variation in CY and FI quality. Price wise, the SHS has ususally been close to but a little cheaper then the CY rate in the areas I have stayed in. So for me it is a no brainer, the SHS is my first preference every time. YMMV...

--Jon

Count me in as one that prefers SHS. I think the layout is fine with me. I don't spend too much time there so as long as I have a clean room and a comfortable bed, I am easily satisfied. I prefer the new designed CYs but find that SHS are less expensive.

GG: Been there, done that. See my thread entitled Not All Springhill Suites Are Created Equal.

I will stay at the Springhill Suites Phoenix Downtown anytime, but never return to the Springhill Suites Tempe...

Bob