Middlesex Vacations from $325

The shower was not well maintained. There was pink/orange mildew build-up on the corner of the shower curtain and behind the shower soap/shampoo/conditioner dispensers. There was some mold on the wallpaper above the shower. The toilet kept running long after we'd flush. We were traveling with a teenager and by the time we noticed, we had fully unpacked. We didn't want to complain and move rooms. We were still sleeping when housekeeping passed by on our second day (they come every other day), so when we were on our way out we asked the front desk to ask housekeeping to go back (she was still on the floor when we left just a few doors down, so figured it would be feasible). The front desk person asked if we told the housekeeper on the floor to come back. We didn't, as we figured telling the front desk would suffice. He gave us an annoyed look and mentioned he could put in the request, but could not guarantee it. We weren't surprised that it wasn't done when we came back. We had full trash bins our entire stay. The staircase smelled (we're thinking it's the carpet). Pool was nicely kept and there were freshly laundered towels available, which was nice. We expected that a Marriott would at least have well maintained bathrooms. We were disappointed in that.

What a waste of money. First punishment for using Expedia a $10 charge to park in a parking with huge posts. BTW parking is free if you book on the University Inn site. You had to really look at what you are doing or you would ding your car or someone else's in the forced-paid parking lot. Next no breakfast. I forget the exact cost of the room but it was about $150 a night and they were too cheap to offer breakfast so we spent $4 for two muffins and $3 for a small bottle of orange juice for breakfast. Also no tea or coffee or sugar in the room. And no coffee pot other than downstairs. The bed had a foam mattress. My husband, with his bad back found it extremely uncomfortable. The pillows were enormous about the size of a kitchen trash can. I wonder who can sleep using them? I slept flat on the bed with no pillow as there was no other option. Lots of light in the room and noise in the halls and I could not figure out how to access the local TV stations. The main positive is a "free" shuttle to the Duke Medical Center. The second night we stayed at La Quinta Inn in Durham. It was about $30 cheaper per night with free parking, breakfast, and a much more comfortable room. Oh BTW Duke has parking garages so no need to stay at University Inn for the "free" shuttle.

This apartment from The Landing far exceeded my expectations and had everything that I needed and then more. Very thoughtul touches throughout. Incredible value for the price. Absolutely will be booking with them again.