Hotel Residence Inn a Markham

Quite location. Front desk was welcoming upon check in. Studio suite very comfortable and clean. Nice lay-out, adequate lighting. No hotel pen and pad, envelopes, or desk stuff like that available in the suites. Not enough bathroom amenities. Towels were plenty. Kitchen needs a few more things, such as a kettle, especially for longer stays. Coffee machine or using the small pot to boil water just isn't the same for making tea and other things. I requested if a kettle was possible to get, they said no, to just boil water in a pot. Most of the front desk staff were very friendly and provided great service. Housekeeping staff provided great service and very friendly. Marriott needs to be more honest with their website list of amenities etc. offered at each hotel, i.e. there is no post/parcel or bottled water, or a few other things listed. When I asked, they would not even provide service for a letter size envelope to be mailed for me. I did offer to pay a service fee as well as postage. They said to go to a post office or drop in mail box, but too far a walk and I had other things pressing to do. They did though when I asked for bottled water one morning as I had run out of my own, say that I could come down to front desk and get some (complimentary). One other morning I did not bother as I was tired and still in pjs, and wanted to remain so for a while longer, but missed my morning coffee. However at other times requests were handled very willingly and promptly with service with a smile. I think it depended on who was involved. In general though, very good service. Breakfast is ok, but could be better. It is a small buffet but several things. Breakfast staff were great and friendly. I find their coffee very bitter. Some mornings scrambled eggs were cooked enough and sometimes quite raw. A breakfast staff member noticed I wasn't impressed and closed the lid and she brought a bowl of properly done scrambled eggs to my table! That was very nice of her. They need to change up and rotate the breakfast option a little more often, because it is a Residence Inn in that a lot of guests are long staying guests. Pool and exercise room available and clean. Being it is a 3-star hotel, I felt a four star rating was deserved. Marriott Bonvoy on the other is very difficult with their rewards program and I am not a fan any more. As already mentioned, their websites for their hotels is also very misleading. Considering all the bother and stress caused by that aspect of things, I will not be using Marriott Hotels anymore despite being an Elite Platinum Member. The hotel though was upping their rates too quickly and too high during my stay there. It is a good value hotel when prices match what they offer. However, whenever overhigh rates start occurring, it is no longer good value for what you receive in return. I can recommend this hotel for stays when rates are reasonable and fair, and for storter stays rather then longer stays (unless they improve a few things)