Residence Inn by Marriott Princeton at Carnegie Center

Positives: Hotel staff was very friendly and helpful. Especially Kim and Carl in the evening who went out of their way to accommodate all of our requests. Location was good and I like that it was walkable to activities like shopping, AMC theatre, and restaurants. Mattress in bedroom was comfortable. Needs some work: The morning breakfast was limited and there are not enough tables. Give guests a waffle maker! Negatives: The hotel is under construction. Not just a few rooms and the pool closed for renovation. Plastic sheets blocking hallways… wallpaper half on, we were on a floor section that felt isolated because if we walked down the stairs to go down out the hallway below us to the lobby, we could not as the doorway was taped off. It was eerie. Yet, there was no indication of this construction work on the hotel website when I booked and the price was HIGHER than some others I could have chosen nearby. I definitely feel that I did not get the value for my money. (Yes, it needs the update. See my comments about the sofa bed. The room door locks are the old ones where you need to insert a key card - no digital key - and they were finicky. The outside door lock closest to my room did not function. I reported it twice and was told engineering would be sent to look at it, but it never worked while I was there. There is not a pool - it seems there was one on site, but it is not operational.) Rooms: Standard of this chain: all suite rooms, full stocked kitchens and bedroom options. I used Marriott points to book 1 bedrooms with sofa bed in living room. Families beware: they do NOT have rooms with two beds in bedrooms. My small 14 year old slept on sofa bed. Several problems: 1) Rooms are not pre-stocked with bedding for sofa bed, only sheets. If you plan to use it, make sure you ask for blanket and pillows delivered when you check-in (they brought these to us quickly). 2) The sofa bed mattress was old, thin, and very uncomfortable. Even my 5’2” 105lb daughter woke with a sore back after sleeping on it and said she could feel all the bars. 3) On night 2 we asked if there were any options to change. But all the sofa beds in hotel are of equal age and there would be no guarantee we would get something in better condition. They do not have mattress pads to add on top or 2-bedded rooms (as stated above). 4) The evening clerks - Kim and Carl - were trying hard to do whatever they could in their power to make it right for us. They give us 2 extra comforters to use as mattress toppers and that did seem to help. Nearby activities: Location was perfect for an event in Princeton. I was visiting with my teen daughter for a volleyball tournament at Princeton Day School. It was a pleasant 10-15 minute drive to event venue. But hotel located on Rte 1, so easy to get to and walkable to several quick chain restaurants, an AMC theatre, and a small shopping mall. Short drive (within another 10-15 minutes) to more shopping and food options.

This is a clean, comfortable, attractive place, conveniently located and reasonably priced. My suite was quite spacious, the heating/air-conditioning actually worked, there was plenty of hot water in the shower, the bed was firm and comfortable, the closet was spacious, and the kitchen fully equipped, though I barely used it. There was ample desk space for the business traveler, though I was just using it to visit family, ample outlets, conveniently placed, to recharge one's devices, and a large TV with access to Netflix. A fitness center and laundry area were available, though I did not use them. There was plenty of parking. A small area to purchase sundries, just off the lobby, let you purchase premium beverages at a reasonable price for your evening libation, if desired. The front desk agents were friendly and helpful. A free breakfast is included, but it needs work. The "hot" food is barely warm at all. There was not always enough coffee. A bottle of ketchup was all but empty, and I had to go to the kitchen to ask for more. Several types of juice are offered, but orange juice is inexplicably not available on weekends. Having said all that, I did appreciate the small spinach quiches that appeared one morning, quite unexpected. Finally, my room key ran out of gas over a four day stay. It started out requiring three swipes to get me into my room. By the end of my stay, I had to swipe thirteen times. On the other hand, the same key always got me in through an outside door the first time, every time. Overall, it is a good value, and I would stay here again. But the breakfast service needs work.

We really enjoyed our stay !! The staff at the front desk were extremely courteous ,very helpful and great !! Big shout out to Fran who was fantastic !! All of the staff were very accommodating and we will definitely be back.

The inn is Impossible to find at night. Carengie Center is a series of huge developments on both sides of a dvided highway. As for the Inn -- Badly sign posted and the street number address really took me elsewhere. Calling Marriott was an exercise in frustration dealing with lengthy recorded pitches and finally someone at a call center who had no more idea that I did except to do a futile hunt on a map feature. This was partially made up for a nice welcome at the desk, a spotless and modern room, and a good night's sleep. In short, the venue is fine. Getting there is not.

Thank you to the entire staff and management at the Princeton Residence Inn for a most perfect long-term stay. Accommodations were exactly as needed: well appointed two bedroom suite w/ LR and fully stocked kitchen. Immaculate with daily housekeeping service requested when needed. Delicious breakfast (included every day). CUSTOMER SERVICE IMPECCABLE, PROFESSIONAL and FIRST CLASS! Know this because am GM of a large, Montauk (Hamptons) oceanfront hotel and know the extraordinary, next to impossible staffing challenge.