La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Fort Lauderdale Tamarac

The hotel offers a practical base for travelers, primarily noted for its convenient location near essential shopping and its complimentary parking, a key draw for many guests. While some visitors find it a suitable and affordable option for short-term stays or as a stopover before cruises, many others express significant disappointment with its overall condition. The hotel is frequently described as run-down, dirty, and in need of extensive renovation, often not matching online photographs. Despite these concerns, the staff generally receives mixed feedback, with some being praised for their helpfulness. This hotel is best suited for budget-conscious travelers who prioritize location and free parking over modern amenities and pristine conditions. Guests should manage their expectations regarding the hotel's appearance and verify reservation details directly to avoid issues upon arrival.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests frequently report significant issues with the hotel's facilities. The swimming pool is a major point of contention, consistently described as closed, broken, or under repair for extended periods, leading to considerable disappointment for many who booked specifically for this amenity. The elevators are another common source of complaint, often noted as slow, noisy, dirty, or out of service, causing inconvenience and concern for guests. While some found the Wi-Fi to be functional, particularly in the lobby, others experienced internet connectivity issues in their rooms. Additionally, ice machines are frequently reported as broken or empty. The lobby itself is sometimes described as small, dirty, and crowded, detracting from the overall guest experience.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The cleanliness and comfort of the rooms receive highly mixed to negative feedback. Many guests describe rooms as dirty, dated, run-down, and in urgent need of renovation and maintenance. Common issues include stained carpets, sticky floors, moldy smells, dirty walls, peeling paint, and broken fixtures such as doors, lamps, and AC units. While some guests found the beds comfortable and sheets clean, others reported lumpy pillows, saggy mattresses, and stained bedding. Noise is a significant concern, with frequent complaints about loud music, hallway noise, marijuana odors, and thin walls, making a restful night's sleep challenging. In-room amenities often fall short, with reports of non-working TVs, AC units that are ineffective or leak, lack of hot water, broken phones, non-functioning refrigerators, and missing or insufficient toiletries.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's breakfast offerings generally receive mixed to lukewarm reviews. It is often described as mediocre or basic, with limited variety. While some guests found the breakfast to be good and well-stocked, particularly the coffee, many noted that hot items like eggs and sausage were frequently cold or sparse, especially for those arriving later in the morning. The overall selection is often criticized for being repetitive and lacking fresh options. The breakfast area itself is sometimes mentioned as being small and crowded, with guests noting the use of plastic plates and cutlery. Despite some positive comments on specific items, the dining experience is generally considered functional rather than a highlight of the stay.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is frequently highlighted as a key advantage, offering convenient access to various shopping centers including Publix, CVS, and Marshalls, as well as numerous restaurants. It provides easy access to major highways like I-95 and the Turnpike, facilitating travel to popular destinations such as Sawgrass Mills Mall, Fort Lauderdale Beach, and local airports. Free parking is available, which is appreciated by many guests. However, the parking lot is often described as unsafe, with poor lighting, garbage, and loitering individuals, raising security concerns for both vehicles and guests. Furthermore, despite online advertisements, the hotel does not offer shuttle service to the cruise port or airport, leading to disappointment for guests who relied on this information.

Staff & Service
Feedback regarding the staff and service is highly varied. Many guests commend specific staff members, particularly housekeepers and some front desk agents, for being friendly, helpful, attentive, and hard-working. However, a significant number of reviews describe other front desk staff as rude, unprofessional, unresponsive, and unwilling to assist with issues such as broken amenities or reservation problems. The check-in process is frequently problematic, with reports of overbooked rooms, cancelled reservations without adequate notice, long waits, and staff being unprepared or unapologetic. Guests also experienced issues with key cards not working, necessitating multiple trips to the front desk. Housekeeping service is inconsistent; while some housekeepers received praise for maintaining clean rooms and being attentive, others noted a lack of daily cleaning or failure to replenish towels.

Additional Information
A recurring concern for guests is the $75 refundable deposit, which many reported took an extended time to be refunded, sometimes weeks or not at all, causing significant frustration and tying up funds. A major issue highlighted by numerous reviews is the hotel's practice of overbooking rooms and cancelling confirmed reservations without sufficient notice, leaving guests stranded, particularly those arriving late or with families. While the hotel has a pet-friendly policy, this has led to complaints about dog odors and noise from animals, impacting the experience for other guests. Many reviews also raise significant security concerns, citing loitering individuals and a general feeling of unsafety around the property. Despite a stated non-smoking policy, strong marijuana and cigarette odors are frequently reported throughout hallways and even in rooms.