Fairfield Inn & Suites St. Joseph Stevensville

The hotel offers a generally modern and clean environment, often praised for its convenient location near St. Joseph and the beach, making it a suitable choice for sightseers and families looking to explore the area. A standout feature is the staff's exceptional willingness to accommodate long-term stays and specific guest requests, such as luggage storage and flexible housekeeping schedules, which is highly valued by business travelers and those requiring extended accommodation. While many guests appreciate the comfortable rooms and overall cleanliness, some recent experiences highlight significant inconsistencies in housekeeping and service delivery. For a smoother stay, it is advisable to confirm the operational status of all facilities, especially the pool, before arrival, and to proactively verify all reservation details and charges upon both check-in and check-out to avoid potential discrepancies.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel features a fitness center and an indoor pool, though the pool has been a frequent source of disappointment for guests. Many reviews indicate the pool is often closed for maintenance, repairs, or health department issues, or is found to be dirty, freezing, or with malfunctioning filters when open. This has led to significant frustration, especially for families who booked specifically for this amenity. While the fitness center is available, some guests noted a lack of cleaning wipes for equipment. The elevator has also been reported as slow or out of service at times, causing inconvenience. Some guests mentioned the absence of a bar on-site, which was expected based on external listings, and a general lack of other common amenities like ice machines or vending machines being consistently stocked or functional. Overall, while the hotel offers these facilities, their consistent availability and quality can be unpredictable, impacting the overall guest experience.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on cleanliness and room comfort is notably mixed, with many praising the rooms as very clean, comfortable, and having a new smell. Positive aspects include comfortable beds, plenty of bedding, and effective air conditioning. Rooms often come equipped with convenient amenities like a fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. However, a significant number of recent reviews highlight severe cleanliness issues, including stains on carpets, bedding, and couches, hair in bathrooms and showers, and mold or scum in showers. Some rooms were reported as not being serviced, with trash left from previous guests, or lacking essential items like hand soap, toilet paper, or towels. Guests also reported issues with TVs not working and occasional bugs or unpleasant odors in the lobby or rooms, indicating a decline in maintenance standards.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast experience at the hotel receives highly mixed reviews. Many guests initially find the spread to be decent, but a recurring complaint is the frequent shortage of food, coffee, and juice, with staff struggling to replenish items in a timely manner. The breakfast menu often consists of limited options, such as microwavable-style sausage biscuits and dry eggs, with some guests noting the absence of more substantial protein options like scrambled or hard-boiled eggs. The waffle batter station is sometimes empty, and the coffee quality is inconsistent, with reports of it being cold or running out early. Some guests have also observed fruit flies near the coffee station and general untidiness in the breakfast area. Overall, while a complimentary breakfast is offered, its quality, variety, and availability often fall short of guest expectations.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is consistently praised as a major advantage, being super close to everything St. Joe and conveniently situated near a major highway. This makes it an excellent base for exploring the area, with the beach and Lake Michigan just minutes away. Guests appreciate its accessibility for various purposes, including work trips and leisure, as it offers easy off/on highway access. The surrounding area is generally considered safe, with nearby stores providing convenience. While some guests found the hotel to be a bit removed from the immediate hustle and bustle, its proximity to key attractions and transit routes, including being a reasonable drive from destinations like Notre Dame, makes it a practical and desirable choice for many travelers. Parking is available and generally ample.

Staff & Service
The staff and service at this hotel elicit a wide range of feedback. Many guests commend the friendly, kind, and accommodating staff, highlighting their helpfulness, especially with quick check-in processes and support for long-term stays, including luggage storage. Housekeeping staff are occasionally praised for their responsiveness to specific requests. However, a significant number of reviews report issues with unresponsive or dismissive staff, particularly at the front desk, with instances of rudeness, lack of professionalism, and a perceived absence of management. Guests frequently mention double charging issues and difficulties resolving them due to unreturned calls or lack of staff presence. There are recurring complaints about short-staffing, leading to rooms not being serviced, long waits at the front desk, and a general sense of disorganization, impacting the overall guest experience negatively.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of several recurring issues that fall outside standard categories. There are frequent reports of double charging for rooms, particularly for those who booked through third-party sites or had their reservations unexpectedly cancelled, leading to frustrating disputes and unreturned calls from management. The hotel has faced significant operational challenges, including pipe bursting incidents that led to room cancellations and a general lack of available clean rooms due to staffing shortages. The pool has been consistently closed, sometimes due to health department issues, which is a critical point for guests expecting this amenity. Some reviews also mention concerns about bug bites or suspected bed bugs, and a general decline in the hotel's overall maintenance and cleanliness standards compared to previous years.