Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Birmingham / Bessemer

staff was very friendly and helpful. The rooms where clean and smelled clean. The pool water was clean. No problems with parking. One of my best stays of anywhere this year. Will return again.

Bed was a little stiff and so was the couch. There were no trash liners in the trash cans, so I had to buy some. Not sure if liners are used at the motel but I personally like to take my trash out daily and having a trash liner makes that a lot easier. The coffee pot did not take k-cups so I bought a cheap coffee maker that used k-cups so I could enjoy my favorite brand.

The area

There wasn't anything to dislike

Great hotel to stay at.

The location.

We didn't have a room key. I felt so bad for the reception because she had to let everyone in their rooms with her master key.

Staff

Small pool

During my recent stay at this hotel, I encountered a deeply troubling experience related to the handling of my two service dogs, which are extensively trained to detect low blood sugar for diabetes and the presence of soy in food—an essential function for my health. Upon check-in, in compliance with both Marriott’s national policy and Alabama state policy, I informed the hotel that my dogs were service animals. The front desk staff, however, requested documentation to prove their status. It is crucial to note that there is no national registry for service animals in the United States; demanding such paperwork is inconsistent with federal regulations and often misused as a means to solicit unnecessary fees. I clearly explained to the staff that, under federal law, they are permitted to ask only two specific questions: (1) Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) What work or task has the dog been trained to perform? The staff neither asked these questions nor demonstrated any familiarity with the law. Instead, they deferred the situation to a supervisor and allowed me to proceed to my room. While tending to my family—my wife, two children with special needs, and my service dogs—I returned to the parking lot for additional luggage. There, I was confronted by a man engaged in conversation with an individual exhibiting concerning behavior. Without introducing himself, he aggressively asked if I was staying at the hotel and demanded my room number. Revealing himself as the night manager, he insisted that unless I provided documentation for my dogs, he would immediately evict my family and me from the premises. I attempted to explain the legal requirements and asked for a civil discussion, but the situation escalated. The manager incorrectly referenced a policy on emotional support animals (which are legally distinct from service animals) and continued to insist on documentation. He then flashed a badge, identified himself as an off-duty officer, and threatened arrest if I continued to assert my rights. When I requested his name and badge number, he refused to comply. To protect my family and preserve the record, I called the local police. The Bessemer Police Department responded promptly. I detailed the applicable state and federal laws to the responding officer, who recorded my account in an incident report. Ultimately, at the request of the general manager—conveyed through the night manager—I was required to vacate the property with my family and service dogs. The manager refused to verify his law enforcement affiliation to the police officer. The following day, I notified Marriott corporate. Their representatives contacted the hotel, which denied all wrongdoing, falsely claimed they had asked the two legally permitted questions, and alleged, without basis, that my dogs “didn’t look like service dogs.” Marriott ultimately deferred responsibility back to the property, from whom I have received no further response. As a loyal customer with over a year's stay in various Marriott properties worldwide, I must strongly discourage others from choosing this hotel. In contrast, the neighboring hotel offered significantly higher standards of cleanliness and professionalism, with none of the inappropriate conduct or legal threats witnessed here. For reference, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) forbids businesses from requiring proof or certification of service animals (28 CFR § 36.302(c)(6)). Alabama state law (Ala. Code § 21-7-4) likewise prohibits refusal of accommodation to those accompanied by service animals and forbids demands for special identification beyond verbal assurance and the two permissible inquiries under the ADA. Requiring documentation or threatening arrest for lawful accommodation of service animals constitutes a violation of both federal and state law.

Location

They deactivated the room key at 11:00 but check out isn’t until 12:00

The breakfast was great Loved the location it was near the water park and different stores

Everything was great