TownePlace Suites New Orleans Harvey/West Bank

The room was very dusty, and there is a general odor in the hotel. The mattresses need to be changed, the bathroom door didn't close, the pool wasn't heated, but more importantly, an item was stolen out of my room and later recovered in the maintenance office.

This is the first time I'm leaving a Marriott property before the end of my scheduled stay - in this case, after just one night of a booked five-night stay. Even this seasoned traveler doesn't always hit the mark. I decided to go for a Marriott points-redemption bargain when booking this TownePlace Suites a few miles outside New Orleans - and I got what I (didn't) pay for. The first room assigned to me (316) had a nonflushing toilet - which, of course, I only discovered after making full use of it. The hotel engineer wasn't forthcoming, so I dragged my travel kit and caboodle back to reception. Ms. Claudia was very nice and apologetic, and immediately gave me keys for the top-floor room (416), just above my old one. Well, it started out as an improvement, but little by little (and as I was unpacking and arranging my travel accoutrements), things made me go hmm: strong bug spray odor, nonworking power outlets, and - the pièces de résistance (see photo) - these lovely items left behind under the bathroom sink by a previous guest. I didn't look too closely as I gingerly put items into the plastic laundry bag, but I couldn't help but note some of the box's contents, including a blonde wig, cosmetics, and cleaning products. I left these by the linen room, next to the elevator, and let Ms. Claudia know. (I couldn't call her, as the phone in my second room was as inert as the wig in the box.) I left for dinner and gave Marriott's Bonvoy Elite squad a call to see whether they'd consider refunding some or even all of my points for the stay if I were to move tonight or tomorrow. They basically said, yes; go have a nice dinner, mull when you want to move, and we'll take care of it. I decided to spend tonight here and move to one of my favorite Nola hotels, the Q&C, tomorrow; and I let the squad know. They promptly returned 75% of my total points to my account. And as I'm a bit congested, I couldn't even smell the bug spray as I typed this. And at least the bed (one of two queens) is decently comfortable. But, as I mentioned in my review title, the hotel is having its its final way with me: the heat in the room doesn't work (the A/C does, but it's 50 degrees in Nola), and the room remained at a cool 65 all night. I'd suggest avoiding this property until some major improvements take place. There's some kind of a renovation project taking place on the ground floor, but it looks to be halted for the season.