Review of Candlewood Suites Alexandria - Fort Bevoir 2*

Stayed almost 1 month. Pros: -Kitchen w/ Stove, Microwave, full size fridge, dishwasher, and sink. -Free laundry area -Good gym (for a hotel), has weights, exercise balls + cardio -Free Coffee and tea 24/7 -Close to Ft. Belvoir -Really friendly/helpful people at the front desk, and also the repair guy -Free Cookies available in the evening -Dog park (if you have dogs) + free dog treats by entrance -Lending locker -Movies available at desk Cons: -No free breakfast -No Oven (Make sure the Pizza at the grocery store is microwavable…) -Internet is on the slow side, requires you to reenter a access code 2-3 times a day, and that changes weekly -House Keeping (Inconsistent, full clean is only weekly IF they do it) -No pool If you plan on staying here a short time (counter intuitive to the extended stay model) you shouldn't have any issues, if you intend to be here a while based on my experience and that of a few other reviewers (i. E. Elicia Daniels review 9 months before me) don't expect your room to be cleaned properly, more on that below. Internet Review: The internet is slow, but it works, the most annoying thing is you need this 4 digit code, which changes weekly, and you will be randomly prompted to re-enter it about 2-3 times a day, which is frustrating as your internet will just stop working, and at times you have to disconnect and reconnect to the Wi-Fi to get the login prompt up. There are many better ways to do authentication. Cleaning Review: Candlewood suites policy is you ONLY get a full cleaning once a week, the rest of the week they only do "light cleanings". Light cleaning ranged from skipping our room entirely, sometimes they just got trash out of 1 of 2 trash cans, sometimes they would make the bed (same bedding regardless if it was dirty), and vacuum… We NEVER got a full cleaning… our floors, sinks, toilets, and mirrors are all gross, we ended up buying cleaning supplies and doing some of our own cleaning to keep it livable. When we checked in we were told they do full cleans on Sunday (since it's the week anniversary of when we checked in), first week they didn't clean at all, we complained and were promised they will do a full clean next saturday, on Saturday they just pulled our dirty towels and bedding out we had piled on the floor, emptied 1 of 2 trash cans and made our beds (with the same bedding), we complained again and we were told it was schedule for a touch up not a full clean, Sunday same thing, complained and was told it was scheduled for a touch up (despite complaining 2 times already our room wasn't being cleaned fully ever). Week 3 We accidentally left the no housekeeping sign out Saturday, but ensured it was down for Sunday (full clean day so we thought…), Sunday they got trash, did a light vacuuming, made beds, but bathroom is still gross our beds were made with the same bedding (even though my daughter peed in one last night, and the other has food on it… it's a challenge with a 2 year old…) we went to complain and were told oh it's not the maids fault you were down for a light cleaning today. I don't get how we are told Sunday is our full clean day and 3 weeks passed with no full cleans ever seems to be a combo of lazy maids claiming they did cleaning and don't and/or management not scheduling full cleanings. To top off our whole cleaning issue, when we complained the last Sunday that yet again for the 3rd week our room hasn't received a full clean, the manager indirectly accused us of lying and being dirty people (the room wouldn't be so dirty if it was CLEANED regularly! ) Not once did the tub, mirrors, sinks, toilet, or microwave get cleaned by a maid! Most of the front desk staff are really nice the lady with the black hair and glasses, and the red head were both super friendly (sorry I'm horrible with names), so is some of the maid staff, and the repair guy. We mainly had issues with a couple maids and management.