Ithaca Homestays

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!

Hilton Garden Inn has always been my go-to place, and although I have enjoyed my stay at every single one I have gone to so far (Evanston IL and Springfield MA), this Ithaca location has been the best one thus far. We came to Ithaca to visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and upon discovering that Ithaca had a HGI, we booked right away. Every single staff member at Ithaca was patient, more than willing to help, and gave just the right information at the right time. The care and attentiveness actually started a few days before our check-in day, with Jessica and Rachel responding to any question I had asked. I appreciated that the wellness texts continued during our visit as well. There were two restaurants onsite, and the area also has many eateries that we grew to love (especially CollegeTown Bagels!). Parking was conveniently across the street from the onsite Starbucks. The entire room was clean, beds were very comfortable for the weary travelers, and as an added touch, the front lobby featured delicacies that were made by local businesses. I really appreciated that connection to the community, and believe that it definitely puts the Ithaca location above all others. Whenever we are back in Ithaca, we will be sure to book at HGI Ithaca again. Thank you so much for a memorable and pleasant stay!

The service is very good. Most of the front desk staff and concierge are university interns. They are very sunny and love their internship work, which is very impressive.

We visit Ithaca in late December almost every year, and have been staying at the Ithaca Marriott for several years in a row. It's a lovely place and, as ever, we weren't disappointed:we had a perfect New Year's holiday stay. Front desk personnel were really kind and accommodating. Our room was spotlessly clean and comfortable, and we had a partial view of the Commons, something you don't always get as a budget traveler. We were treated very well throughout our stay, and we didn't want for anything. I even used the gym - trying to start the New Year right! And a very nice surprise: the Marriott provided a lovely breakfast for all guests on New Year's Day, complete with really good coffee. Very thoughtful! Thank you!

The room and amenities are first class. Breakfast at $16 plus tip was abysmal. Eggs were dry. No fruit. No juice. Potato hashbrowns were soggy. When asked about fresh fruit or juice was told there was a supply issue. Went to 7-11 a few blocks away and they had a whole shelf of fresh cut fruit. A hotel of this caliber should have a full breakfast!!

I mean ... okay ... this wasn't the best, newest, cleanest Fairfield that I have ever encountered. It wasn't horrible, just drab. First thing we noticed when checking in was the lack of staff - par for the course for most hotels these days - and the check in clerk, while pleasant, was overwhelmed, and we had to wait while she attended to business on the phone. Breakfast was average. We couldn't put our finger on anything that was really unacceptable, but neither could we point out anything that would make us want to return. Beds were comfortable, parking lot seemed safe. Television was old and small. Since this was a college visit, should my child be fortunate enough to actually attend Cornell, I think a future visit would call for The Statler. Decide for yourself. One last thing ... the location was convenient.

The location is very good, the transportation is very convenient, it is very close to the pedestrian street, and there are many convenience stores around the restaurant. The standard room is two meters wide and can accommodate a family of four without an extra bed. There is free parking and there is a gas station next to it. Hotel service is very good.

A three-star hotel is standard, far from the city center, there are large supermarkets and restaurants nearby, there is a Chinese restaurant Szechuan cuisine not far away, and the milkshake park is not very far, there is parking lot, if you drive well