I blogged recently about my decision to stick with Radisson properties for the time being as my hotel loyalty program of choice, and I’ve been on the hunt for bonus point opportunities. Last month, I came across a rate at a fairly local Radisson Suites in Buena Park, California that included 10,000 bonus points, so I booked myself for a mattress run and packed an overnight bag.

This all-suite property used to be an Embassy Suites, and features a tropical-themed courtyard area set amidst Spanish style architecture. I checked-in with Melissa, the Front Desk Manager, who was friendly and efficient, and upgraded me to one of their Business Class rooms. Most Radisson properties offer this enhanced room category which includes upgraded bathroom amenities, a daily newspaper, complimentary bottled water, and more. Although room upgrades are one of the stated perks of Silver status, this is the first time I’ve been upgraded to a Business Class room, so it was definitely unexpected and appreciated.

Shortly after settling in, Melissa called to ensure everything was to my liking and asked me to call her if she could be of any additional help. The living room was spacious and clean, and in keeping with the tropical atmosphere, the glass front doors included wood-paneled shutters for privacy. The couch and chair were pretty basic, but comfortable, and the large table near the wet bar was ideal for a meal or work desk. It was handy to have a microwave and good-sized mini refrigerator with separate freezer.

The bedroom was large and spacious, and featured Sleep Number beds, for which I’ve grown to love. Another large flat-screen television sat atop the deep dresser drawers, and closet space was ample. Maybe the room felt big because it lacked a desk, which I found odd. The view was uninspiring, but given the location, I couldn’t expect much better.

Now to the bathroom. It was incredibly compact and definitely showed its age. Water stains on the marble around the sink made it look dirty, and the grouting in the floor tile needed some scrubbing. What disgusted me most, though, was finding something floating in the mouthwash. It looked like a strand of cotton (from a towel?) and since there was no security seal on it, I threw it in the trash. The shower was clean, though, and standard fare for a Radisson.

The elevators in this hotel are incredibly slow, but there are only 4 floors. The common areas were clean, and although I didn’t use the pool or hot tub, it also looked well-maintained. There is an on-site restaurant, if you can call it that, which is basically a dining room with a lounge/bar area attached that included a pool table and video game unit. The breakfast buffet was horrible, lacked any meat choices, and I was never even approached by a waiter or host (unbelievable!). Also, when I went to make coffee in the room, the tray the filter sits in was missing. They eventually came with a replacement coffee maker, but it was the wrong style for the in-room coffee packets, so I just gave up.

This Radisson essentially caters to families given its proximity to Knott’s Berry Farm and other area attractions, so business travelers would be in for a bit of a surprise if they anticipate the standard Radisson level of service. The pluses of this property were offset by the minuses, so I’d call my stay just adequate, but I love the fact I earned a total of 15,125 points, enough for a free night in Category 1 hotel!

Here is a quick photo & video tour of my stay in room 417: