Dallas/Fort Worth Marriott Solana

Top Business Hotel

My stay at the Marriott DFW Solana was a pleasant experience in every way. I was promptly picked up at DFW by their shuttle, check-in was quick and easy, and my room was nicely furnished and clean. The lobby bar is very large an spacious with a very high ceiling, and the staff there is just as nice as the front desk staff. I would stay here again and I would recommend it to others.

The Hotel generally is of a high standard. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. The complimentary shuttle is extremely useful for those without a car. I used it to and from DFW airport, plus vists to local shops. The gym was very tightly packed and a bit claustrophobic, but the machines were good quality and all had TV monitors to relieve the work-out boredom! There is a larger fitness club 5 minutes walk away, but I didn't sample it. The only downside was that the cost of direct-dial international calls from room are very expensive; I belive they should publish the rates so that you are aware of this fact; although I suppose most business travellers would be aware of this. Also, there was no in-room safe which was suprising for a Marriott.

Considering it's a fairly basic hotel in an office-park area with very little else around, I was surprised to find that this Marriott had such bad signage. I arrived late at night, and after a bit of confusion parked in a lot near what I hoped was the front entrance of the hotel. Once I actually found the front entrance, the front desk staff informed that I would be towed if I left my car in that lot. (Glad I asked about it.) I asked for directions to the hotel's underground lot, but even then it took me a while to find it. My room was on Floor 1. You'd think this would be above the lobby floor, but it was below. From bottom to top, the elevator floors go 1, Lobby, 2, 3, 4, etc. The nice thing about Floor 1 is that it's a straight shot to the garage--no elevator needed. Everything else at the hotel was very nice. The room was spacious, the food at the bar good, and the staff friendly.

In my opinion, Marriott Properties greatest assets are their employees. Every time I have stayed at this hotel as well as other Marriott properties, their staff is exceptional - they always make me feel very welcome and are always ready to answer any questions I may have. The rooms are clean and recently renovated however; I do not find the bed very comfortable. Shuttle service is amazing and very accommodating.

Opinions differ widely about this hotel - I love it, but hey, what dio I know (I only spent 14 years in the hotel business!). Good shuttle from DFW, good check-in - refurbished guest rooms with Marriott linens and the new (for me) 'connections hub' (that allows you to plug your laptop into the flatscreen TV. Public areas are being refurbished which means a temprary (poky) bar area. F&B is NOT a great feature here - shame really - I guess if you bring a car you can drive a few miles to Southlake, or back towards DFW, where there's every type of restaurant you can imagine. But if you're without a car, they could do with a more imaginative offering. In the summer the outdoor pool is nice. It's a business travellers' pit stop, but a very attractive one.