This is my first experience with the Marriott’s Springhill Suites brand, although I often stay at other flavors of Marriott, since I especially like their total non-smoking policy. This one had the added benefit of being very close to where I needed to go.

This was a very pleasant stay. The check-in staff was friendly and went out of their way to make sure I had what I needed (I had forgotten some personal items in the rush to get packed and out of town) and parking was adequate for this time of year (although I do think in the busier summer season it might fall short). There was always candy and fruit on the check-in desk. The staff was always friendly and polite.

The room was quite nice –clean, comfortable, and nicely laid out to make a long stay a little bit easier to take. I appreciated the chair with ottoman with the floor lamp, which was a great place to read. I liked having the mini kitchen, although I didn’t use it much (soda in the fridge, since the vending machine prices were too high). I didn’t use the internet access but the TV had more than enough channels and the pay per view had both recently released popular films (the latest Harry Potter) with a mixture of art house films.

The public areas were clean and comfortable (love the fireplace!). And the complimentary breakfast was all you could ask for: hot and cold cereal, yogurt, make it yourself waffles, toast, muffins, bagels, danish and make it yourself egg mcmuffins. I didn’t try the pool or the exercise room.

All in all, a very positive experience. I’ll go back, and try other Springhill Suites when I travel.

While the building won't win any architectural design awards, the layout of the guest rooms is among the best we have encountered. The "suites" aren't much larger than a comfortably sized standard hotel room, but the rooms make excellent use of available space. Several mirrors, one full length, add an appearance of spaciousness. There is a sofa and recliner chair for lounging; a well lit work table with internet access, small kitchen with sink, microwave and refrigerator, windows that open (useful during the brief summer months in Fairbanks), and a spacious room with shower/tub and toilet. The vanity is located nearby in an alcove for privacy, but not in the same room as the shower/toilet. Lighting is excellent everywhere.

The included Continental Breakfast is bountiful, with a pot of hot oatmeal, and hot eggs and breakfast meats in addtion to waffles, breads, danish, yogurt, fresh fruit, cold cereal, etc.

The hotel was spotless. While we were there one employee was hand-sanding the grout on the floor tile in the lobby to restore the original white color.

There is 24 hour airport shuttle service (useful when the Alaska Airlines flight arrived late at 3 am).

Staff was very accommodating; housekeeping did an excellent job during our 6 night stay.

One problem is that the hotel has very limited parking. We observed one customer for the hotel's restaurant (who was not a hotel guest) who was denied parking at the hotel due to lack of space, resulting in a nasty exchange of words with the hotel front desk attendant.

The hotel is located downtown across the street from the Visitor Information Center and Chena River. The new Visitor Information Center, being built at the time our visit, will be about 3 blocks away. There are several restaurants located nearby, though the more popular Fairbanks attractions, such as the Riverboat Discovery, Pioneer Park, and University of Alaska museum will require use of an auto or taxi. There is little or no traffic noise since most of downtown Fairbanks shuts down at night.

In all, a great property and highly recommended.

(the reviewer has no connection to Marriott, SpringHill Suites or any of its employees)

Nice location across the street from the Visitor's Center and the Chena River. There is a beautiful park with several interesting monuments. Close to a couple restaurants worth your time ESPECIALLY the Bahn Thai restaurant about 2 streets just behind the hotel. Don't miss this restaurant.

The hotel rooms are clean and although a bit crowded since the sq footage is small, it's comfortable. The staff is friendly and helpful. Nice pool and hot tub except you can't get into the hot tub before 0600, in a place where the daylight hours are very long, would be nice to be able to access the hot tub and pool for longer hours, especially adult travelers.

Only one real complaint with the room, the coffee pot doesn't fit the coffee maker. It's too small. You must stand and hold the pot up to the base of the coffee-holder so the water/coffee will drain into the pot. For some reason, and have never had this experience at a Marriott establishment before, no coffee is made overnight in the lobby. Since you can stay out and about until all hours of the night and early morning, it would be nice if you could also get a cup of fresh HOT coffee at any time in the lobby instead of standing in your room holding the too-little pot high enough to make the coffee drain into it.

The complimentary breakfast is adequate. There is an attached bistro not owned by Marriott but it's only open at lunch and dinner. Work-out equipment is limited to a couplel treadmills, a stationary bike, and a stairclimber. There is a small universal type gym but it's not tall enough to allow for maximum extension of your arms and the leg portion didn't seem to work at all. You won't get much of a workout with the universal gym.

The Springhill Suites has an excellent location. It is right across the street from the Fairbanks visitors center. We requested and got the top floor, and had no problems with noise. The suite was clean, and to us , felt luxurious after our long journey. There was a kitchenette, coffee maker, and two nice beds. We were pleased that there was a washer/dryer in the hotel there as we had been on the road many days. Many higher end hotels would not have provided this. Downtown Fairbanks is a bit downtrodden overall, but this hotel, and the restaurant in it, (Lavelle's, I believe) are both highly recommended.