I’m heading back to Calhoun Ga for work this week. I’ve been to Calhoun before and stayed at the excellent Holiday Inn Express. This week I stayed across the Interstate at the Fairfield Calhoun. I would have gladly stayed at the Holiday Inn Express again, but they wanted $200+ per night. While I have lots of flexibility in my company bookings, I won’t spend company money needlessly, the Fairfield was almost $100 per night cheaper and it’s not a roach motel, it’s a Marriott.
I know many people are very hotel brand loyal. I’m not one of those people. I usually just pick the best hotel, in the best location, for the trip I’m taking. This Fairfield and the Holiday Inn Express are almost exactly in the same location, while not in the same parking lot like my preferred Orlando choices, they are within a quarter mile of each other.
Anyway, let’s get into it.
In This Trip
1 :Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Calhoun Ga Review
1.1: Fairfield Inn Calhoun GA Common Areas
1.2: Fairfield Inn Calhoun GA Rooms
1.3: Fairfield Inn Calhoun GA Bathroom
1.4: Fairfield Inn Calhoun GA View and Area
1.5: Fairfield Inn Calhoun GA Alarm Clock
1.6: Final Thoughts
Fairfield Inn Calhoun GA Common Areas
In standard Fairfield style, this hotel has a very modern façade. Then you remember you can still hear I-75, there’s a Longhorn Steak House and Applebees in the parking lot, and you’re in Calhoun Georgia. It’s not glamorous, but I’m not a fancy person anyway.
The Fairfield Calhoun lobby is standard business traveler hotel. There is a buffet breakfast, business center, and a few tables. Exactly what you would expect for a Fairfield.
Next to the check-in desk is a small supply of travel essentials and snacks. Pretty normal for this caliber of hotel. I checked in and got my keys. I really wish Marriott would up its app game. I really like Hilton’s digital key solution, Marriott says it has this option, but I cannot think of I time that it worked properly where I didn’t need to check in with the front desk.
The hallways here are very vibrant, I was on the 4th floor. I prefer being on the top floor at hotels like this. The floors and ceilings are not particularly sound proof so being on the top insures that someone isn’t clogging on your head at 3:40 in the morning.
Fairfield Inn Calhoun GA Rooms
First impressions of the room are very meh. It’s very clean but the furnishings and décor just seem 80s, but not in a cool and retro way. More like a time capsule.
I will say, the bed was extremely comfortable. There are plenty of outlets on both sides of the bed too. That carpet, it’s just funny to see in the relatively modern Fairfield Calhoun .
Nice luggage area, tv, and desk. No stupid armchair in this room, just the things you need. I did lots of work at the desk on this trip, I wish hotels would start putting pens back into rooms though.
A nice little mini fridge and microwave. I used the fridge to chill my water bottle overnight and store some leftovers. I didn’t use the microwave. There’s also a coffee maker, but I’m not a big coffee drinker.
No full sized closet, but there’s a wardrobe style closet that I used to hang my shirts.
Fairfield Inn Calhoun GA Bathroom
This is where the 80s made a roaring appearance. The white floor and with black counter and accents just feels odd. I know the 80s was more than 30 years ago, but I’m just not sure 80s is retro cool yet. There are some hotels that pull of 60s cool, but I just don’t think I’m on board with 80s yet.
I much prefer showers like this over a bathtub in a hotel. The bulk toiletries are a contentious issue, I’m not really sure why. If you don’t like them, bring your own. I just like bar soap over body wash, but whatever, I’ll live.
Fairfield Inn Calhoun GA View and Area
All the finest things Calhoun has to offer are right outside my window. I did find an excellent burrito place, The Taco House. It’s about a mile away and worth the trip.
Fairfield Inn Calhoun GA Alarm Clock
Here’s something I love, this weird little alarm clock. I don’t use hotel alarm clocks for waking me up, but I do like having them. I like to be able to roll over in the night and see the time. This alarm clock has the time on 3 sides, how cool is that.
Final Thoughts
This hotel is perfectly serviceable. It’s clean, quiet, and pleasant. I just cannot get over the styling, it somehow just feels old-fashioned, but not in a cool way. I would gladly stay here again, but I’m not sure I’d go out of my way to stay here.
The problem is there’s the the excellent Holliday Inn Express, right across the street.