OverviewLocated a 1-minute drive from the nearest Interstate 85 on-ramp and about a 6-minute drive from Duke University, the Comfort Inn Medical Park is geared towards travellers visiting or passing through the area who require a hotel with a free breakfast, a free area shuttle and easy highway access.
Each of the hotel's air-conditioned guest rooms comes with free Wi-Fi, cable TV, a coffeemaker, a desk, an iron and ironing board and a hair dryer. Rooms with a microwave, a mini-fridge, a table and chairs and a sitting area with a sofabed are also available, as are wheelchair-accessible rooms.
Hotel amenities include a seasonal outdoor pool, a fitness room, free coffee in the lobby, a meeting room, a business centre, guest laundry, a picnic area, free parking and a free breakfast. A free area shuttle (within a 5-mile radius of the hotel) is also offered (please contact the hotel for details). Pets are permitted for an additional $35 per pet, per stay.
Duke Clinic is about a 7-minute drive away, while Loehmann's Plaza can be found 2 minutes away on foot. Research Triangle Park (RTP) is roughly 15 minutes away by car and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is a 25-minute drive away. (All distances and travel time estimates: Google Maps)
Verified with a front desk agent: Free Wi-Fi, free parking, pets permitted for $35/pet/stay, wheelchair accessible. (Call Date: September 15, 2013)
The GoodThe majority of the reviews sourced for this analysis were positive, with praise going to the hotel's location, value and staff.
Numerous guests were pleased with the hotel's location, and described it as central and close to highway access, Duke University, the airport, shopping, restaurants and Duke Hospital. One reviewer noted, "Right off interstate, near best shopping in town, best restaurant too (Meelo's), everything you want in Durham is right outside your door!".
Many reviewers were pleased with the hotel's value. They described the rates as great, reasonable and inexpensive, and also mentioned that the free breakfast increased the hotel's worth.
The hotel's staff were the source of several compliments by patrons. They were characterized as friendly, accommodating and efficient.
The Bad
While the majority of reviews consulted for this analysis were positive, there were some common complaints about the rooms, parking and key cards.
Although some guests found their rooms to be updated, clean and comfortable, several reviewers criticized their lodgings. They reported old TVs, dated decor, worn carpets, noisy air conditioning, musty smells, cigarette odours in non-smoking rooms (and throughout the hotel's common areas) and some cleaning issues.
A few lodgers had complaints about the hotel's parking. They described it as cramped and poorly designed, with limited spots on busy nights.
The hotel's key cards were a source of inconvenience for a few patrons. They reported their assigned key cards did not work, and mentioned having to replace them several times throughout their stay.
Expedia.ca guest reviews rated the hotel 3.7 out of 5 with an 83% recommendation rate from 276 reviews.
Hotels.com guest reviews rated the hotel 3.4 out of 5 from 191 reviews.
TripAdvisor.com guest reviews ranked the hotel #49 of 67 Durham hotels with an average rating of 3 out of 5 from 67 reviews.
The author called the hotel on September 15, 2013 to verify some information.
