OverviewLocated a 2-minute drive from the nearest Interstate 40 on-ramp and about a 9-minute drive from Duke University, the Comfort Inn University Durham (North Carolina) is geared towards road travellers who require a well-priced hotel with a free breakfast, an outdoor pool and easy highway access.
Each of the hotel's air-conditioned guest rooms comes equipped with free Wi-Fi, cable TV, a coffeemaker, a microwave, a mini-fridge, a desk, a hair dryer and an iron and ironing board. Rooms with a wet bar, a seating area with a sofabed and a jetted tub are also available, as are wheelchair-accessible rooms.
The hotel also offers a seasonal outdoor pool, a hot tub, a fitness room, meeting space, a business centre, free coffee in the lobby, guest laundry, a free breakfast and free parking. Pets are not permitted.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is roughly a 10-minute drive from the hotel, while Patterson Place offers shopping 9 minutes away on foot. Kenan Stadium is about an 11-minute drive away and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) can be found 20 minutes away by car. (All distances and travel time estimates: Google Maps)
Verified with a front desk agent: Free Wi-Fi, free parking, no pets, wheelchair accessible. (Call Date: January 6, 2014)
The GoodThe majority of the reviews sourced for this analysis were positive, with compliments going to the hotel's staff, rooms, rates and location.
The hotel's staff were the source of many compliments by travellers. They were characterized as friendly, efficient, professional and helpful with directions.
Numerous reviewers were pleased with their lodgings at the hotel. They described their rooms as clean, spacious, well equipped, updated and modern, with good Wi-Fi and comfortable beds. A few patrons had complaints about their accommodations, however (see below).
Several lodgers were satisfied with the hotel's rates. They were described as affordable, excellent and reasonable.
The hotel's location was convenient for several guests. They found it close to restaurants, shopping, highway access, Duke University, the University of North Carolina and a grocery store.
The Bad
While the majority of reviews consulted for this analysis were positive, there were a few complaints about the breakfast and rooms.
Although the majority of reviewers were pleased with the quality and selection of the free breakfast, some guests had complaints. They described a crowded, noisy and small eating area and reported food running out early and not being replenished.
While numerous guests enjoyed their clean and well-equipped rooms, a few guests had complaints. They reported cigarette odours in non-smoking rooms, dated decor, some plumbing issues.
Expedia.ca guest reviews rated the hotel 3.7 out of 5 with a 78% recommendation rate from 166 reviews.
TripAdvisor.com guest reviews ranked the hotel #36 of 66 Durham hotels with an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 from 50 reviews.
Booking.com guest reviews rated the hotel 8.4 out of 10 from 46 reviews.
The author called the hotel on January 6, 2014 to verify some information.
