Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel

Pros - The check-in process was very smooth and quick. The bellhop guy was very nice and offered to help with our luggage. He also provided restaurant recommendations in the area. We enjoyed the hotel lobby bar and there was live music provided one night. Cons - This hotel is just plain dirty. It appears to have been remodeled, but it was poorly done and unkept. There was hair strands left in the shower with a lot of pink water residue stains on the shower walls. The sink had no drain stopper, and the water still drained slow. The faucet had a lot of hard water and gunk built up around it which was just disgusting. I felt so grossed out trying to brush my teeth and wash my face. There were also pockets of dust around the nightstands and behind the chair that is near the window. I imagine housekeeping only coming in to change the bed sheets, remove the trash and gently wipe the “obvious” surface areas in-between guests, and that’s it! Also, none of the USB charging ports in the room worked. Outside of the room, the hallway (8th floor) had a gross smell that hits you in the face when you step off the elevator. It smelled like alcohol and vomit masked with a cleaning spray. The hotel does have an indoor pool which is very old and dated. The gym is small. The parking garage is not maintained well. The trash bins in the garage were overflowing and the garage elevator was dirty and creepy. I cringed every time I got on it. Lastly, upon leaving we spotted a large cockroach (dead) inside the hotel near the front door (see picture). Overall, I had an ok stay (mainly because I refrained from staying in the room), but I should have trusted the other reviews that said nothing about this hotel makes you think you are staying at the Renaissance. A good scrub down with some bleach and dusting could go a long way.

My recent experience at the Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel was unfortunately quite disappointing, falling significantly short of the standards typically expected from a Renaissance property. The staff lacked adequate training, and we were overcharged for our stay. Customer service was notably lacking. When I called the manager, Marcus, he was rude and abruptly hung up during our conversation, which is an unacceptable level of customer service. Adding to these issues, the hotel's kitchen was undergoing renovations during breakfast hours. Furthermore, the bed in our room was uncomfortably firm. Given these issues, I would strongly recommend exploring other Marriott properties in the area, such as a Fairfield Inn. This Renaissance location did not live up to expectations.

During my stay at the Renaissance Hotel, Tony Black at the omelet station was truly the highlight of my mornings—and honestly, my entire trip. His warm energy, attention to detail, and incredible omelet-making skills made breakfast feel like a personalized experience every day. No matter how early it was, Tony greeted guests with a smile and conversation that made you feel like a regular. I can confidently say that I’ll be choosing this hotel again solely because of Tony and his unforgettable omelets. He’s a gem and the kind of hospitality every hotel should be proud of.

Clean, safe, friendly staff, Beautiful view of the Harbor...had a great time...

Live the bar

The pool wasn’t available, wish we were told prior to booking and No valet was on duty even though a sign was posted stating valet parking….