Sonesta Essential Van Buren Fort Smith

This is going to be a good stop when they get their remodel complete. Very friendly staff

Well, we stayed in late December and the hotel is under renovation, which really plays into the review. The room was fine, as it had already been renovated, but there was no carpeting...all tile flooring.The fridge was nasty on the inside, so we could only use the freezer part. The heater did work well to keep the room warm. The hotel lobby and hallways were dusty and dirty due to the renovation activity, and there was stuff stacked in the first floor hallway. Luckily we were on the first floor as there is no elevator. We were the only guests in the hotel for the night, which is a rather odd feeling (maybe I've seen too many movies where that is the part of the storyline). The location is actually difficult to get to and Apple Maps had trouble directing us to the hotel because you have to weave your way through parking lots to get to it. We finally spotted the hotel and were able to make our way to it without assistance from Maps. While normal Sonesta hotels have been quite nice, this Sonesta Essential was underwhelming and will not be a choice in the future.

Property was under extensive remodeling. No elevator - doesn't appear to be any place for one. No coffee & condiments in room. Nice breakfast room, but no breakfast available. Parking lot pavement extensively damaged. Attendant "Chris" is excellent! great help in moving in and out. Seems to be a very nice facility - our room was enormous. This has a potential for a few "stars" when renovation complete!

clean and friendly staff.

The property looks abandoned driving up with virtually no customers and the lobby is a complete construction site. Confusing check in. Demanding a security deposit without noting the deposit on my receipt. Paid with cash and front desk person would not list the deposit, only the room total so we will see if it gets refunded upon checkout. We entered our room and it was dirty and uncleaned from the last guests. Not like any hotel i"ve ever stayed at.

Great front desk. Clean room.

It was very hott temp wise and the ac unit didn’t help much. The air conditioner leaked and the bucket underneath overflowed onto the carpet so the carpet was soaking wet. The toilet barely flushed. The beds are very uncomfortable and the pillows are tiny. The room had a bad smell to it the second we walked in. The second floor itself is hott and felt like a sauna.

Room next to me smoked every night I left

You get what you pay for. This hotel was a bargain and after spending 2 nights there, it was apparent why. - In the first room we were given, the bathroom sink was clogged. Our first night was a Saturday night, so when we reported the problem Sunday morning, they couldn’t call a plumber to come fix it on a Sunday. The best they could do was move us to another room after housekeeping was done at 11 am Sunday - There was no one attending the front desk either when we wanted to check in or when we needed to report the plumbing issue. There was just a sign saying call this phone number. - We weren’t sure we had the right place because they’re in the process of rebranding from Quality Inn to Rodeway Inn and the signage hasn’t yet been updated. - The streets getting to the hotel were horrible - The electrical outlets on the nightstands didn’t work on either side of the bed

For the price, you cannot beat this place. Super friendly owners, very quiet location, and clean rooms. They are currently under a remodel, so some minor things such as doors being hard to shut are to be expected. But as far as major red flags, there are none. As I said, super clean and super nice! Will definitely be going back. Can’t believe this place is so cheap… Hidden treasure!

The place is being renovated and mattress were lining the hallway,Sheetrock dust in the room, billing was screwed up I booked thru hotels.Com and the place had no record of our reservation and charged me more than I had booked the rooms for originally and they charged me for 3 rooms while I had booked 2 although the one is supposed to be taken off my card!

The free breakfast was not good. The juice machine was out of order. Only whole milk. One kind of coffee. Small amount of eggs, sausage on heating plate and very small stale pastries. Room was good and clean. When I checked in I was greeted warmly and friendly, even at 12:30am.

Reserved and paid for a room. Called at 9:00pm to ask about checkin cutoff time. She said before 2:00 am. Arrived before 11:00pm. Nobody at desk. Called number provided on counter under “call this number for service”. Headset rang behind counter. Waited at desk until 11:55. Nobody ever came to desk. Three other parties came and left in that timeframe and each tried to call the number. One lady walked down the hall hollering for help and knocked on doors. Nobody came out. The Expedia app says check-in 24 hours, staff will greet you upon arrival. Cannot get refund because NOBODY will answer the phone. Had to pay $130 for a room elsewhere after already paying for this one!

We stayed at the VB Hotel (actually Quality Inn — they’re converting) as a stopover going east. The staff were super friendly and helpful. Pets stay for free. Facility was clean and had a small breakfast buffet.