Residence Inn Mt. Olive at International Trade Center

This hotel is frequently praised for its spacious, apartment-style rooms featuring full kitchens, making it an excellent choice for families and extended-stay guests seeking comfort and convenience. Its commitment to cleanliness and the consistently friendly and helpful staff are recurring highlights, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere. The complimentary breakfast also receives high marks for its quality and variety, often exceeding expectations. The hotel is particularly well-suited for wedding groups due to its capacity and service, as well as for road trippers needing a comfortable stopover. Guests appreciate the overall value and the feeling of a home away from home. To ensure the best experience, it is advisable to inquire about the current status of ongoing renovations and specific room locations, as some guests have noted related inconveniences that could impact their stay.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests generally find the hotel's facilities to be well-maintained and beneficial for their stay. The fitness center is well-equipped with good treadmills, and there is an indoor pool available, though some guests have noted it can be cold or occasionally closed for maintenance or renovations. Outdoor amenities include a pleasant courtyard with a fire-pit and a pickleball area, providing options for relaxation and recreation. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi throughout the property, ensuring connectivity for all guests. Additional conveniences such as ice machines and laundry machines are appreciated. However, some guests experienced temporary issues with the key system upon check-in, and there were reports of TVs not working due to ongoing renovations. A notable concern for some was the lack of a generator during power outages, impacting essential services.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The cleanliness of the rooms is consistently highlighted as a major positive, with many guests describing them as immaculate and spotless. The spacious rooms are a significant draw, often featuring kitchenettes equipped with a full refrigerator, microwave, and stovetop, along with dishes and utensils, providing a convenient apartment-like feel. Many rooms offer separate living areas and some are two-bedroom suites with multiple bathrooms, ideal for larger groups or families. Guests generally find the beds comfortable and the AC quiet and effective. However, feedback on room comfort is mixed. Some guests reported issues such as a vibrating floor and rumbling machinery in certain rooms, noise from upstairs neighbors, and occasional foul odors. There were also mentions of outdated rooms with worn carpeting or furniture, and specific problems like broken toilet handles, non-functioning in-room ice machines, or uncomfortable pull-out beds, with one severe report of mold and stains on a pull-out mattress.

Dining & Food Quality
The complimentary breakfast at the hotel receives widespread praise, often described as very good, great, and even the best some guests have experienced. It is consistently noted for its variety and being well-stocked, offering options such as waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage egg English muffin sandwiches, breakfast burritos, fruits, and coffee. Many appreciate the healthy choices available. However, some guests found the breakfast to be typical or basic, and a few expressed disappointment with the change from fresh, cooked oatmeal to flavored instant cups. There were also requests for more sugar-free options like syrup and creamer. While the breakfast is generally a highlight, some found the bacon egg and cheese on a bagel to be underwhelming. The hotel also provides 24-hour coffee service and complimentary chocolate chip cookies in the evening, which are well-received.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is generally considered convenient, particularly for those traveling on I-80 and US 206/46, making it a good stopover point. It is situated within the International Trade Center, offering a quiet environment despite its proximity to major roads. Guests appreciate its accessibility to various local attractions such as Funplex, Land of Make Believe, Budd Lake, and Waterloo. There are also Walmart and several eateries nearby, providing essential services and dining options. The hotel offers ample parking, which is also free, adding to the convenience for guests with vehicles. However, some guests noted that there isn't much to do directly within walking distance, requiring a drive for most restaurants or recreational activities. A few found the immediate area to be less appealing, and one mentioned the parking lot could be challenging.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receives high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and professionalism. Many guests highlight their attentive and accommodating nature, noting instances where staff went above and beyond to assist with requests, such as early check-in or late check-out. The check-in process is often described as quick and smooth. Housekeeping is also commended for maintaining clean rooms. However, feedback on service is mixed, with some guests reporting negative experiences. There were mentions of certain front desk staff being rude or unprofessional, and difficulties communicating with housekeeping due to limited English. Several guests experienced significant issues with billing discrepancies and a lack of responsiveness from management regarding these concerns. Furthermore, some guests found the manager to be rude, uncompassionate, or incompetent, particularly during critical incidents like power outages or elevator malfunctions, leading to a perception of poor customer service in challenging situations.

Additional Information
The hotel offers a pet-friendly policy, which is a significant advantage for guests traveling with dogs, with ample space for walks and provided pick-up bags. A recurring theme in reviews is the hotel's role in hosting wedding blocks and group events, though experiences with event coordination and room allocations have been mixed, with some guests reporting cancellations or disorganization. Guests should be aware that the hotel has been undergoing renovations, which, while improving the property, have also led to temporary inconveniences such as TVs not working or pool closures. A notable concern is the hotel's susceptibility to power outages, with guests reporting prolonged periods without electricity and a lack of a generator. There have also been multiple reports of elevator issues, including guests getting stuck. Additionally, some guests raised security concerns regarding the absence of cameras in the parking lot and broken locks on side doors, suggesting areas for improvement in guest safety.