Residence Inn by Marriott Boise West

I stayed at this hotel in late October for 5-nights. Without exaggeration, this was the WORST Residence Inn I have ever stayed in (and I have stayed in a huge number of Marriott properties). I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS HOTEL. I found the Boise West Residence Inn, which is practically on the shoulder of Interstate 184 (Boise Connector)…to be worn, dirty and in desperate need of a remodel. It’s so close to the interstate that you can hear and feel traffic. That’s all nothing compared to how poorly the hotel is managed. They intentionally tried to charge me $565.00 more than what my corporate rate was confirmed at without saying a single word to me. Shameful deceit! Were they thinking I was not going to look at my bill? Even after I showed them the INTENTIONAL OVERBILL, they refused to change it. I had even shown them my confirmation information and identification. The general manager (Cheri Anderson), assistant general manager (Sarita Nowell) and front desk personnel (Sierra) were all involved in trying to over-charge me (they used the most expensive rack-rate that was double the corporate rate confirmed). I even had Marriott’s corporate team involved because of the INTENTIONAL OVER-BILLING which took hours. I'm supposedly Marriott's top tier Bonvoy status. So, if it's happening to me, I have to think this Residence Inn is doing it to other people too. The staff at the Boise West Residence Inn is no better than a conniving thief in my book. They did not even apologize after being forced to change my rate back. Scumbags! My advice: Stay away from this property. There are plenty of other choices that are much newer and won’t try to steal.

We cross the country twice a year celebrating our retirements with non-stop travels, so we know where to return and where not to. This place is a must every time we pass through Boise. It's the staff. They are perfect, they are gracious, they are efficient. Vicki at the front desk helped us plan our arrival to the room being ready -- and she does this every time we come back. Everyone is, like Vicki, so very friendly and helpful. Housekeepers are everywhere. And speaking of which, when is the last time you saw them buzzing around at 7 a.m. on a Sunday? That's the way this place operates, always hard at work getting ready to pamper to your every need., right down the afternoon's fresh-baked cookies. Breakfast is lavish -- with hot eggs, sausage, oatmeal, little fat-free milk bottles, bananas, breads and toppings. You will not go hungry. We had the sprawling 2-Bedroom (Queens)/2-Bath Suite with windows that open for a breeze. They are also screened and double-paned as these bigger suites front the freeway -- but you'd never know it with them closed. Once again, such a very, very good show by GM Cheri and her dedicated team!

We’re through Boise twice a year celebrating retirements by non-stop travels and we can’t wait to get to our favorite Residence Inn. Sure, they all look the same but it’s incredible staffers like Sara and Vicki (and so many others) that make this RI stand out above all the others. You also might enjoy the afternoon cookies (not the kind out of a plastic bag, you’ll see). Breakfast has it all, from scrambled eggs to sausage and potatoes. There are yogurts, individual 2% and fat-free milks, bagels and toasts, Nutella, an array of chopped condiments for your cereal or oatmeal and the friendly “Breakfast Lady” will make your day with her warm welcome to all. Fitness room has machines and free weights, even a scale. The indoor pool is massive and there are towels galore. Lighted parking surrounds the 4-story property so you are close to your room wherever you park. Two elevators, super-fast. The only drawback — and it’s the same each time we visit — is we have to leave. As always nicely done, GM Cheri!

There’s no telling anymore how many times we’ve stayed here over the past 10 years since we began celebrating our retirements by traveling across the country twice a year and stopping everywhere in between. But we love it here every single time — and of course thank you, GM Cheri for always taking such good Bonvoy care of us. Also going above and beyond was Vicky on the front desk, who helped us get into our room when we hit town earlier than expected. We were fortunate enough to have a great, big 2-bedroom (Queens)/2-bath suite that was really roomy at 714’ and yes, the windows are screened and open for a breeze. They are double-paned for those that want no noise coming in. The fitness room is snug but has it all: free weights, machines, scale and water dispenser. Adjacent is a giant indoor pool/jacuzzi with loads of towels. Ice machine just off the lobby. Business center all up and running, super-fast and 2-sided printing. Breakfast includes scrambled eggs, ham patties (our day), bagels/toasts, little milk bottles (2%), bananas/oranges and coffee well before the 6:30 a.m. start of breakfast. If you get the feeling you will really enjoy this fabulous hotel, trust us — you will. Thanks again, Vicky. And a very good show, GM Cheri. See you next time.

What a very, very special RI — and especially because of brilliant staffers like the highly-efficient and friendly Sara who perfectly timed our arrival to the room’s readiness, along with Night Manager Jeremy, a graduate student and an excellent conversationalist if you are up in the wee hours of the morning. We had a 2-Bedroom (Queens)/2-Bath Suite and it was so spacious it felt like a great big apartment. Fresh-baked cookies greeted us coming through the door and everything stayed just as possible throughout our stay. Fitness room has machines, a couple free weights, plenty of towels — and there is a giant indoor pool with lounge chairs and more towels. Business center was clean and fully operational. Breakfast (6:30 weekdays, 7 weekends) was the usual, which is to say any and every thing you could want: eggs, sausage, cereals, biscuits, breads, oatmeal, fruit, yogurts and little 2% milk bottles. By the way, this is probably our 6th or 7th stay here. Can’t wait to return. Very nicely done, GM Cheri!