Garner Hotel Doswell Southeast by IHG

I do not recommend staying here for many reasons. Selected this hotel for proximity to Kings Dominion and the room selection. Room was advertised as a two bedroom suite which was exactly what I was looking for. Upon check in I was told there were no more suites available. They had one set of two adjoining rooms or I could have two separate rooms. I asked how it is possible for me to reserve a room and when I show up it not be available and he just repeated that no more suites are available. I took the adjoining rooms. Neither room was rentable. There was no smoke detector in one room (just a wire hanging out of the wall) and neither room had placards on the back of the door showing EGRESS or other room safety. My understanding is these are requirements. In one of the rooms the bathroom door was visibly damaged and would not latch or stay closed. The toilet in the second room was not functioning properly (I found out the next morning this was known and they still rented the room out). I called the front desk about this shortly after getting in the room and he came in and plunged the toilet for about 30 minutes and then said it is mostly working. It was not. Neither room had a refrigerator as advertised, just empty cabinets where they were supposed to be. So we had to throw all of our leftovers away. Knowing there was no other connected rooms at this hotel and afraid that if I complained further we would have to find another place to stay late at night, we decided just to get through the night. I reported all of the issues to the front desk the next morning and was just told that they would tell maintenance. I reached out to IHG customer service. They expressed concern and assured me I would be contacted in 48 hours. Having not received that return communication after 5 days, I reached back out via email. I received a response saying I would be contacted. I did receive a call from IHG and was told that the hotel manager would call me within 24 hours. I asked what I do if I don't get that call and again was assured that the hotel manager would call me. Never got that phone call. I will definitely not stay at this particular hotel again and I'm also disappointed in IHG. So, looks like the best I can do is reach out to the local health department and warn others via reviews. I will say that the rooms felt clean and the staff members we interacted with the next morning were friendly. I hope they find a better managed hotel to work at.

The room was very nice and clean almost the best sleep I’ve have had in a long time , with the pure white fluffy pillows ,the comfortable and clean comforter’s and the bathroom was very well maintained and looked awesome although we thought the bathroom floors were dirty it was paint stains. The housekeeping woman (not too sure of her name looked to be Spanish with a tattoo on her arm and face) was very pleasant as well when myself or my husband asked for anything she made it happen and I mean quick. My husband nor myself had not seen her for a few days so we were thinking she’s no longer with the company.With being said we went days without clean towels and wash rags. The rest of the staff on the other hand was very rude and snappy at me at the front desk the woman was really not inviting except for one young man and so I checked out a bit early than I expected due to my room not being cleaned as it should have been not sure why and the rudeness of the front desk woman and not to leave out the woman who does the food is wonderful at her job not that’s it’s a restaurant but it was good!

We stayed here in March and would not recommend. Got there no one at the front desk. There was a phone to call for help but no one answered. I finally went throughout the hotel looking for someone to help. I found someone painting on the 2nd floor who went and got someone. The pool not open! It was full of furniture as they were remodeling. This is one of the reasons we choose to stay here. We found something on our sheets!! They just gave us sheets to replace ourselves. No fire alarm in room. Light bulbs missing.

I understand it's a transition period so I'll temper my comments. Check in was a disaster as the reservation wasn't in their system and they needed to use my phone to help find it. I was billed for three days rather than two. When I called to update the reservation it was very difficult as I could not understand the other person on the line. Doors were left open showing where the renovations were taking place but the mess presented both safety and health hazards. Chances are I will not be returning.

We liked the soft beds and soft bedding. The whole atmosphere of the hotel was calm and pleasant. We were impressed with breakfast and the clean surroundings. Every one was really relaxed and friendly. I would book a room again. The kids liked being able to look across the street and see Kings Dominion

Under renovation. Did not tell us before hand. Pool out of service, construction workers around the clock on the property. Wish we were told before booking.