Residence Inn vs Fairfield Inn: Which Option Should You Select?

When planning hotel accommodations for a trip, travelers must weigh options to meet their needs and budget.

Within parent company Marriott’s expansive portfolio, Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn represent two high-quality yet distinct choices.

While both provide welcomed amenities, Residence Inn focuses on extended stays with apartment-style suites complete with fully equipped kitchens and extensive complimentary food offerings.

Meanwhile, Fairfield Inn opts for traditional guest rooms geared toward shorter trips, with reliable amenities and friendly service at an affordable rate.

By examining key contrasts around guest rooms, location strategy, amenities, reputation and pricing between these hotel chains, travelers can identify the better match based on trip duration and priorities around space or value.

Whether seeking home comforts for a long visit or simply a pleasant overnight pitstop, Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn each have strengths catering to different needs.

Difference Between Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn

There are several distinctions between Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn, encompassing differences in room types, locations, services and perks, food and beverage options, prices, payment and cancellation policies, parking facilities, pet-friendly policies, as well as guest reviews and ratings.

Let’s discuss them in detail.

1. Accomodation

Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn are two types of hotels that cater to different needs.

Residence Inn is like having your own apartment during a longer stay, offering studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens.

These kitchens have everything you need, like a fridge, stove, and dishwasher.

It’s perfect for people who like to cook their own meals.

The rooms are big and have extra perks like sitting areas and workspaces, making it great for business travelers.

They even deliver groceries to your door! They also have a free hot breakfast buffet every morning and social events a few times a week.

On the other hand, Fairfield Inn is more like a traditional hotel.

They have regular rooms with a king bed or two queen beds.

While they might have a mini-fridge and microwave, there’s no full kitchen.

It’s a bit more basic but still comfortable, with nice bedding and workspaces.

They also offer a free hot breakfast buffet with healthy options and may have evening receptions a few nights a week.

In short, Residence Inn is for longer stays with more amenities, while Fairfield Inn is a great choice for shorter stays with a simpler setup.

Both give you a good experience and a tasty breakfast!

2. Location

Residence Inns tend to be located in more residential areas and suburban settings compared to Fairfield Inns.

They cater to extended stay travelers with apartment-style suites including kitchens, so proximity to neighborhoods can be preferable over a central business district location.

Fairfield Inns are typically situated closer to major highways, airports, and business districts where convenience for business travelers is key.

Their locations prioritize ease of access and close proximity to corporate offices and convention centers.

While Residence Inns aim to make guests feel at home with their residential locales, Fairfield Inns opt for practical locations that put travelers right in the middle of the action.

The extended stay nature of Residence Inn suits neighborhood settings, whereas Fairfield Inn’s efficient spaces work well in high traffic areas near commerce hubs.

At the end of the day location suits the differing needs of each brand’s target guest.

3. Services and Perks

Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn both offer nice amenities for travelers, but Residence Inn tends to provide more complimentary food and beverage options.

Residence Inn has full kitchens in their rooms so you can cook if you want, as well as free grocery shopping service where they’ll stock your fridge and cabinets.

They also invite guests to evening social events a few nights a week where you can enjoy light meals and drinks.

There’s a 24-hour market on-site too in case you need snacks or essentials.

So all of that combined means you’ll have plenty of good free food if you stay at a Residence Inn.

And you’ll also get free WiFi, free breakfast, an outdoor pool and gym, printing services if you need them, and other standard hotel perks.

Fairfield Inn offers its guests free breakfast buffets, around-the-clock coffee/tea, free WiFi, a pool and exercise room, and a business center for computer use and printing needs.

They welcome pets too.

But its food and drink perks aren’t as extensive as what Residence Inns provide.

The Fairfield room setups are more like traditional hotel rooms without full kitchens.

But the basics are covered at a Fairfield if you just need a comfortable, affordable place to stay.

Residence Inn for more included food options, Fairfield Inn for more affordability and simplicity.

Both make for nice stays depending on your needs.

4. Food and Beverage Options

When it comes to food and drink options, Residence Inn clearly provides more extensive offerings compared to Fairfield Inn.

Residence Inn not only has a free hot breakfast buffet but also offers evening socials a few nights a week that include complimentary light dinner and drinks.

Additionally, most Residence Inn locations provide a grocery delivery service so guests can stock the fully equipped kitchens in rooms, complete with full-size appliances and cookware.

On the other hand, while Fairfield Inn locations provide guests with complimentary breakfast and some have small evening receptions a few nights a week with snacks and drinks, there are no options for groceries or in-room kitchens.

The Fairfield Inn provides coffee and tea 24/7 but does not match the breadth of food and beverage choices available at Residence Inn properties.

Residence Inn offers significantly more food and beverage options with full kitchens in rooms, evening dinner and drinks, and grocery delivery. Fairfield Inn provides basics like free breakfast and lobby coffee/tea but no extensive food options or in-room kitchens.

5. Prices

Residence Inn tends to be pricier than Fairfield Inn on average.

As extended stay hotel brands within the Marriott portfolio, Residence Inn offers more apartment-style amenities with full kitchens standard, while Fairfield Inn is more of a classic hotel setup geared more towards shorter stays.

Since Residence Inn rooms have more space and on-site conveniences with kitchens stocked with cooking essentials, the nightly rates reflect the larger rooms and extra amenities.

The rates can run $30-50 higher on average per night compared to a standard Fairfield Inn room.

However, both brands offer seasonal and corporate discounts that can make pricing vary.

It’s not uncommon to see special rates or deals at Residence Inn that make the pricing more on par with Fairfield Inn during slower seasons or in certain locations.

The additional space and amenities at Residence Inn come at a premium price, but advanced booking can sometimes narrow the nightly rate gap between the two brands.

Overall, Residence Inn commands higher average pricing given its positioning as extended stay accommodations, while Fairfield Inn offers reliable and affordable rates for travelers not needing extra space or amenities for longer trips.

But flexible travel dates can help unlock better deals at both.

6. Payment and Cancellation Policies

When you book a room, both Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn require a credit card to guarantee your reservation.

You pay the full amount when you check-in at both hotels.

They both take all major credit cards.

The cancellation rules are a bit different.

At Residence Inn, you can cancel or change your booking for free if you do so up to 24 hours before you were supposed to arrive.

If you cancel less than 24 hours before arrival, they will charge you for one night’s stay.

At Fairfield Inn, cancellations are free if made up to 72 hours in advance.

If you cancel less than 3 days before arriving, they will also charge you for one night.

So in short, Residence Inn requires you cancel further in advance to avoid fees, while Fairfield Inn gives you an extra day to cancel for free.

The payment requirement when booking and at check-in is the same at both Marriott hotel brands.

7. Parking

When it comes to parking, Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn are pretty similar in that they both offer free self-parking for guests.

When I went to the Residence Inn hotel, I got free parking. However, it’s possible that where you book may not offer free parking, so it’s essential to read the parking fee and policy of the specific hotel you’re booking.

The main difference is that Residence Inns tend to have bigger parking lots with more room for large vehicles.

Their lots also usually have some covered spots near the entrance so you don’t have to walk through the rain or snow.

Fairfield Inns have free parking too, but their lots are sometimes smaller if the hotel location is tiny.

You also won’t find covered parking or valet service at most Fairfield Inns.

Overall, the parking at both is fine for most travelers, but Residence Inn is better suited if you have a big car or want to avoid the elements while parking.

8. Pet-Friendly Policies

When it comes to traveling with your furry friend, Residence Inn is generally more welcoming of pets than Fairfield Inn.

Residence Inns allow pets of any size or breed, as long as they are under 80 pounds.

They do not charge any extra pet fees or deposits.

Fairfield Inns also allow pets at some locations, but they may charge a pet fee for your stay.

They also tend to have more rules about what kinds of pets are allowed, including weight limits (usually under 80 lbs) and some banned breeds.

Both hotel chains may restrict the number of pets in each room.

Overall, Residence Inn will be the better choice for pet owners since they don’t have extra costs or restrictions based on your pet’s size, type, etc.

But you can often still bring pets to Fairfield Inns, as long as you abide by their specific guidelines.

Checking each hotel’s policy beforehand is advised when making travel plans with pets.

9. Guest Reviews and Ratings

Residence Inn tends to get slightly higher guest ratings than Fairfield Inn overall.

On popular travel sites, Residence Inn averages around 4-4.5 stars out of 5, while Fairfield Inn averages 3.5-4 stars.

In reviews, Residence Inn guests praise the spacious suites with full kitchens in each room, making them ideal for extended stays.

However, some guests feel the rooms are dated and in need of updates at some locations.

Guests are very satisfied with the daily free breakfast and evening social hours included.

The front desk and housekeeping staff also receive positive mentions for great service.

For Fairfield Inn, recent guests describe the rooms as clean, comfortable and modern.

The beds and bedding get rave reviews for being exceptionally cozy.

Some guests report issues with thin walls where they can hear noise from adjoining rooms or hallways.

Like Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn receives positive feedback for its tasty complimentary breakfast.

Guests also comment that most front desk employees are welcoming and accommodating.

In terms of consistency across locations, Residence Inn tends to get more varied ratings between different properties.

Reviews for Fairfield Inn are largely similar across different hotels in the same chain.

Overall though, both hotels continue to be popular and satisfactory choices for leisure and business travelers.

Final Thoughts

When examining Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn, it is clear these hotels within the Marriott brand cater to distinct guest needs. Residence Inn prides itself on spacious apartment-style suites with fully equipped kitchens, making it ideal for extended stays. Complimentary food and beverage offerings like evening socials and grocery delivery also set Residence Inn apart. Meanwhile, Fairfield Inn provides a more classic hotel experience geared for shorter trips, with cozy yet basic rooms, free breakfast, and reliable amenities.

When it comes to location, Residence Inn properties position themselves in quieter suburban neighborhoods as suited for long-term guests, whereas Fairfield Inns opt for convenient areas near business districts and tourist sites. In terms of guest satisfaction, both hotels rate well, but Residence Inn tends to earn slightly higher praise for its generous amenities despite some complaints of dated decor. As an extended stay model with extra space and perks, Residence Inn also comes at a price premium over Fairfield Inn. However, advanced booking can help secure discounted rates at either.

Ultimately, while both brands deliver satisfactory and comfortable stays, Residence Inn excels at accommodating longer vacations or work assignments, especially for those wanting space to cook their own meals. Fairfield Inn remains a dependable choice for business trips and quicker stopovers where affordability takes priority over square footage and kitchens. Understanding these contrasts allows travelers to select the hotel best aligned with their priorities for any given trip.