Ithaca Hotels with Swimming Pools

Ithaca is hotel challenged to begin with, it’s not unheard of to pay $220 plus dollars to stay at the Rodeway - granted it’s remodeled - but it’s still a motel people. Having stayed at nearly all the economically priced options in ithaca here’s the truth - it’s slim pickings and those pretty photos they post - it’s usually a bold face bordering on ridiculous lie - the Quality Inn is no different. There are many vagrants in the parking lot all night, just having a good ole time. In the morning are the remnants and litter of Natural Ice cans and HUNDREDS of cigarette buts stacked in an ashtray. It’s really truly bad. I know it’s cheap. But Unless you’re stuck, do your best to avoid it. The staff. The saving grace was the nightshift woman. She seemed genuinely personable and caring. But that’s it. The others? From John to all the daytime ladies - well, someone must of crushed all their dreams, because they’re mopey bordering on angry. The highest level of service you should expect is for them to tolerate your presence in their lobby. Go ahead - you smile, be kind, ask them how they’re day is. If you get above resting bitter face consider yourself lucky. If you get a “have a nice day” you must have achieved pinnacle status of Choice points. If by some miracle they break a smile - it’s probably at you. I was there four days - they don’t greet you from the front desk - you’ll greet them when they arrive from whatever cave they hide in because they’re never at the front unless they have to be. It’s pretty clear none of them want to be there - can’t say I blame them. If your magnet key fails (as 5 of mine did, and the person’s behind me as well) there is a 100% chance that John will say to you “well, you must have deactivated it.” Doesn’t matter that you carefully guarded it from every magnet and electrical field on planet Earth. Even if you stored it in a hermetically sealed box John will let you know - it’s definitely your fault. Because it’s impossible for their grime filled worn to crap 1990 magic magnetic encoder could be the source of the issue. The room: the bed was comfortable - The pillows were good and it looked clean. Then there’s that delightful jacuzzi bath for your aching back. Well, you better be prepared to clean that sucker, cause evidently no one else will. Perhaps a discount for each glop of hair? You make peace with the fact that things are worn and dated at this price point, but why can’t they be clean? See the photo of the floor - I thought it was wet in two large spots, but it’s some kind of polyurethane spill (that’s what I’m telling myself, you can touch it if you want to know. I won’t.) There’s other problems too - but that’s enough. I checked out two days early. They kept one night’s payment. That’s the way it goes!

Everyone was kind and courteous, from the valet to the front desk to our waiter during breakfast. We asked if we could possibly get the view facing the clock tower, and we were moved to the 9th floor. The room was very clean and had the view we were hoping for. The beds were comfortable; all was quiet at night. We enjoyed our breakfast the following morning. This was a nice experience for my son who was visiting the university. The location can't be beat!

The Ithaca Marriott Downtown on the Commons is the kind of hotel, like the bland pictures on its walls, that no one would notice, or even recall, if it disappeared tomorrow. As a guest one senses that the staff works there because they couldn't find a better job anywhere else--don't expect to see the same faces if you return a few months, or a year, later. My family and I stayed overnight on a Monday in March. The valet attendant wasn't happy we didn't use his services. Instead we were given instructions on how to reach ”our parking garage” (as we were told by the hotel staff) a couple blocks away. It turns out this is anything but the Marriott's parking garage. Did I lack an ”elemental common sense” (as the staff person later suggested to me on the phone) for parking in one of the many empty spots with a small sign that apparently says something like, ”Parking reserved for Hotel Guests of Hilton Garden”? It was nighttime, after a long day of driving -- fatigue reigns in a parking garage with reserved spots for a particular hotel. Signs are misread as ”Parking reserved for Hotel Guests.” Or maybe I parked in that space because I was told by Marriott staff that it was ”our garage”? And wouldn't common sense today suggest Marriott and Hilton are owned by the same corporation that owns everything else? No, this was entirely this guest's fault: no ”elemental common sense.” And the price of this ticket: on top of the $12 a night parking fee, a $30 fine that the Marriott didn't think it worth offering to compensate. O, the inhumanity! The dry, stuffy air in the Marriott hotel room; the broken ice machine on our floor with a sign of apology (yes, they posted a sign instead of fixing it); their version of the Big Dig right next to the hotel so that guests can wake up to the relaxing sounds of a jackhammer. Fortunately, the room came with four complementary foam earplugs and a $10 voucher for the restaurant downstairs where you can buy a cup of lukewarm coffee, stroll outside and around the corner to one of the many vape shops, or take your kids on a field trip to the very adult gallery a two-minute walk away (next to the theater). To end on a positive note having nothing to do with the Marriott: Maru Ramen and The Milkstand are excellent restaurants and more than make up for any hotel hardly worth its overnight costs. Two stars as our children enjoyed meditating during the slow elevator ride to the tenth floor.

For the children to go to Cornell University summer research, compare several hotels in Ithaca, and finally choose this cost-effective one. In the past, there were more choices of Hilton hotels, and this one did not disappoint us. The child arrived at noon on July 28th and had not yet arrived at check-in time. The front desk staff was very friendly and welcoming and checked in immediately, allowing the child to rest after dozens of hours of boat and car straining. For a few days in the hotel, we can feel the thoughtful and meticulous service of the hotel, the quality of breakfast is also very good, and the need for defense under the epidemic has taken care of us thousands of miles away. The hotel is very close to Cornell University and college town. The child is very satisfied and willing to recommend this hotel to friends.

Can live! Don't ask for any quality! I saw the comments of the predecessors, thinking that the second floor rooms are better, not black, not tide, and ask for the second floor room in advance. When I arrived at the store, I was told that there was no elevator! Happy son is big! Help me with the box! Behind the travellers carefully choose.