Name: Clarion Inn & Suites Cortland - University Area
Address: 2 1/2 Locust Avenue, Cortland, New York, United States of America, Cortland, New York, US
Price range: $78–$174 per night
Rating: 6.93

What guests think

Reviews of Clarion Inn & Suites Cortland - University Area point to an aging hotel with mixed experiences, balancing helpful staff and convenient access with notable shortcomings that affect comfort for many guests.

Cleanliness concerns are repeated, including musty or smoky odors, damp carpets, visible mildew, and occasional pests. Facilities draw criticism for a lack of elevator, broken fitness equipment, empty vending or ice machines, and unsecured exterior doors, alongside periodic staffing shortages. Rooms feel dated, with recurring AC and plumbing problems, unreliable Wi‑Fi, and some highway noise; a minority report comfortable beds and spacious layouts. Best suited for short, no‑frills stays if location matters more than polish.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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Facilities

Facilities receive frequent criticism: there is no elevator, fitness equipment is often broken, and vending or ice machines can be empty or inoperable. Several reviews also note unsecured exterior doors and poorly lit or poorly maintained parking areas.

Related guest reviews

2

Tracy

Jul 2, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

No elevator. Air conditioning not working. Ice machine broken/out of order. Damp/musty odor in room.

6

Samantha

Aug 21, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Staff was very friendly and the breakfast was good, however, the rear entry door did not lock. My room door stuck badly and had to be forcibly pushed to open and close. The room felt damp and had a very musty smell and the shower head needed to be replaced as the water just poured out if it like a faucet. Was good enough for my stay since I spent very little time in the room. I just needed a place to sleep. But was not worth the cost.

6

Scott

Jul 12, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The fridge in my room didn’t work, the treadmills didn’t work. Breakfast is ok and the staff is friendly, but it’s pretty run down.

4

Ramon

Aug 18, 2023

·

Only one person in front desk handling everything. Very nice staff. The smell of the facility was bad. I received a notification under my door due to the shortage of staff not housekeeping service for four nights. In room the curtain was broken and there was mold on the ceiling. The bed was very comfortable. All the facility doors were open at all time. No elevator in this hotel.

6

Jennifer

Sep 23, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The room was spacious. Staff was friendly. Strange smell in room. Hair in bathroom. All vending machines for drinks empty. Asked for a wake up call and never received. Internet did not work.

2

Chelsea

Aug 21, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

We reserved a king and got a handicap accessible room with a full twin bed. The carpets in the room were damp and the whole room smelled of either mildew or black mold. The hallways throughout the hotel had spots of black mold and peeling paint, falling plaster. The mattress was old and stained and uncomfortable. The parking lot was not well lit. We tried to get our money back and leave, but had difficulty. I am still trying to get my money back.

2

Thomas

May 15, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Property is in need of maintenance, repair and upkeep. First room reeked of smoke, both tobacco and cannabis. Second room had wallpaper peeling off to expose copious amount of mold. Third room was adequate. Complex was virtually empty. Exterior doors were insecure at all times. Advertised as pet friendly, but is not advertised was a $30 fee for a pet. Staff were unable to do anything about the price paid for room, as we booked through third party (Expedia)

4

Nicholas

Jun 8, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Hot day, aircon don’t work, no ice machine. Won’t be back

6

kimberly

Feb 5, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

poor exercise room

6

Ashley

Apr 9, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The fitness center is basically unusable. It had no water. There were two treadmills: one would not start at all, and the other was so jerky it was unsafe and I almost fell off. There are two stationary bikes, but they have no power so you can't have any resistance. There are no mats for floorwork. The only thing that worked in the fitness center was the TV! Our room's coffee maker did not work. The beds were hard and uncomfortable. The hotel has no elevator! The entrance to the front desk is only a few feet from the dumpster of a nearby Perkins! The staff was friendly, but we were not impressed with this hotel.

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Cleanliness

Cleanliness is a recurring issue, with musty or smoky odors, damp carpets, visible mildew, and occasional pests reported across rooms and hallways. A few guests found areas clean, but many did not.

Related guest reviews

4

Craig

Aug 28, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The property had a strong musty odor.

2

Amey

Sep 4, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Molded walls in room no hot water need to be shut down and remodeled so unhealthy

2

Sara

Jul 12, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Our rooms all had black mold on the ceilings and sounded musty. Room 209, the door would not latch properly and had to be slammed multiple times before it would latch.

4

Jeremy

Jul 21, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Hotel is old, not maintained well, first floor room had wet carpet and flooding was occurring in room across the hall. Horrible mold smell all throughout first floor. We asked and received a 2d floor room that only smelled of stale cigarette s, rather than both mold and cigarettes. Over all, the place is a s-ithole!

2

Margaux

Oct 1, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The place was disgustingly dirty. I did not stay there. I was told by the staff at the location that I would to be charged. I was charged

4

Dino

Apr 27, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Not very clean, hotel smelled, breakfast was all out of food with an hour and a half left.

6

Rich

Oct 9, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

The room smelled very musty, the shower had mold on the ceiling, the beds were uncomfortable but on the positive side, the continental breakfast was very good. Won’t be back , though

2

Bill

Aug 17, 2023

·

Stayed 4 nights

Room was in poor condition and not clean.

6

Eric

Aug 10, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Breakfast options were good enough. Beds were good. Internet was spotty. Would be a great place if cleanliness was a priority. Wall paper around the ac unit was peeling off and mold was forming enough to give a musty smell in the room. What appeared to be alien snot or some other bodily fluid flung on the wall that you had to look at while in bed, seemed apparent enough the cleaning staff should have seen and addressed. Some better management and this place would be very nice.

10

Pamela

Aug 11, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Found a cockroach in our room

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Rooms

Rooms are dated and show maintenance problems, including unreliable AC and plumbing, nonworking TVs or sticky doors, and patchy Wi‑Fi. Some guests mention comfortable beds or spacious layouts, while traffic noise affects a few rooms.

Related guest reviews

4

Steven

Jul 23, 2024

·

Stayed 7 nights

First room the shower drain wasn't draining very well. Bathroom faucet leaking. Then they moved me to another room. That one was a little better. Bathroom faucet leaking, Some spiders and webs in corners. The rod in the closet for hanging clothes was broken and the mattress on the king bed was shot!

10

Thomas

May 12, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Comfortable beds and nice-sized rooms that were clean. I liked the fact that it adjoins the Perkins restaurant. I will happily recommend this hotel. The area surrounding the hotel is a bit depressing, but the location is good as it provides quick access to Homer and Cortland.

2

Amey

Sep 4, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Molded walls in room no hot water need to be shut down and remodeled so unhealthy

4

Antoinette

Aug 26, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

The bed was uncomfortable, too soft The tub had no grip and I almost fell getting into the shower The coffee machine in the room was dirty The window curtains were ripped The wi-fi signal was practically non-existent

2

Tracy

Jul 2, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

No elevator. Air conditioning not working. Ice machine broken/out of order. Damp/musty odor in room.

4

Timothy

Apr 16, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Got in kind of late. The front counter person was nice enough. I was given a room at the farthest spot from the front desk. I walked there with my bags in hand and when I got there the room had not been cleaned from the previous guest. I walked all the way back and was given a new room, right next to the last room. I walked all the way back, with my bags to the farthest spot from the front desk. That room was not cleaned either, and it was worse, looked like someone was partying in there. I go back to the front desk and finally get a clean room. The next morning I found out that the hot water was only lukewarm. Then the toilet backed up. I have stayed in worse hotels, but I don’t think I will be back to this one.

4

Linda

Aug 22, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The TV didnt work so moved to another room. They provided a list of chanels but no directions on how to use. Both rooms had cigerette smoke order.. Was told it was becaise it was damp?? Breakfast cereal stale. Blueberry muffins raw in middle etc Would not stay again or recomend.

6

Jennifer

Sep 23, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The room was spacious. Staff was friendly. Strange smell in room. Hair in bathroom. All vending machines for drinks empty. Asked for a wake up call and never received. Internet did not work.

6

Eric

Aug 10, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Breakfast options were good enough. Beds were good. Internet was spotty. Would be a great place if cleanliness was a priority. Wall paper around the ac unit was peeling off and mold was forming enough to give a musty smell in the room. What appeared to be alien snot or some other bodily fluid flung on the wall that you had to look at while in bed, seemed apparent enough the cleaning staff should have seen and addressed. Some better management and this place would be very nice.

8

Walter

Apr 13, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Too close to the interstate & noisy.

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Service

Many guests describe friendly, helpful staff and smooth check‑in, but there are also reports of understaffing, delays, misassigned or unready rooms, repeated key issues, and missed requests like wake‑up calls.

Related guest reviews

2

Johnston

Aug 2, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

This place is a smell motel Every single time we went to room key did not work and had to get new keys made Dirty and breakfast sucked

2

Julie

Oct 13, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

The hotel had no elevator. We asked the person at the front desk where the elevator was and twice she pointed to down the hall. We carried our luggage back and forth twice and couldn’t find it. We asked a 3rd time and she said she was new and didn’t know. I asked to speak to her manager and she said she was the only person that worked at the hotel at that time (9pm). They put a new person at the front desk all alone. No security, no manager and no cleaning team. Crazy. Also, we were there for 2 days and our room was not cleaned. When I asked why she said the cleaning team leaves at 1pm. It was so weird.

4

Timothy

Apr 16, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Got in kind of late. The front counter person was nice enough. I was given a room at the farthest spot from the front desk. I walked there with my bags in hand and when I got there the room had not been cleaned from the previous guest. I walked all the way back and was given a new room, right next to the last room. I walked all the way back, with my bags to the farthest spot from the front desk. That room was not cleaned either, and it was worse, looked like someone was partying in there. I go back to the front desk and finally get a clean room. The next morning I found out that the hot water was only lukewarm. Then the toilet backed up. I have stayed in worse hotels, but I don’t think I will be back to this one.

6

Lorraine

Sep 1, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

We went up to a room that was never cleaned from the previous guest. Then we were told the only other room was one with a king size bed. We had asked for two double beds. We were told if we did not like it we can go elsewhere. As we were standing there another guest canceled and gave us the room. We decided to stay only because all the hotels were booked for the College.

4

Ramon

Aug 18, 2023

·

Only one person in front desk handling everything. Very nice staff. The smell of the facility was bad. I received a notification under my door due to the shortage of staff not housekeeping service for four nights. In room the curtain was broken and there was mold on the ceiling. The bed was very comfortable. All the facility doors were open at all time. No elevator in this hotel.

2

Marisa

Nov 12, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Never been to a hotel and not been able to check in - 2 hours after check-in time. Rudest possible employees

10

Ranfery

Aug 22, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Check in was quick and easy. Room was nice and accessible.

8

Nick

May 19, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great staff.

6

Jennifer

Jul 18, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The Staff was super friendly and very helpful. The location was convenient but the proximity to the truck facility wasn't great.

6

John

May 19, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Friday afternoon, 5/16, the worker behind desk (male, glasses, no name tag)was a pretty big jerk at check in. Ridiculously unhelpful to the woman in front of me on line.

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Location

Location is convenient to the highway and SUNY Cortland, offering quick access to the area. Some note road noise, an unappealing surrounding area, or nearby truck activity.

Related guest reviews

10

Thomas

May 12, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Comfortable beds and nice-sized rooms that were clean. I liked the fact that it adjoins the Perkins restaurant. I will happily recommend this hotel. The area surrounding the hotel is a bit depressing, but the location is good as it provides quick access to Homer and Cortland.

10

Clare

Aug 2, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

We went up to visit the Cortland campus with my son It was close to campus It was very quiet and clean

8

Karen

May 18, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Clean, friendly, close to SUNY Cortland stay.

8

Marina

May 28, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Nice front desk person. On my arrival I had a bag of chips, pretzels, few cookies and two bottles of water as a Welcome gift in my room. Next day a Graduation Bear was left in my room because I was there for graduation of my child. Property is not new but people are working hard to keep it nice. The surrounding area is not a fault of the property owner and it’s not pretty.

6

Jennifer

Jul 18, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The Staff was super friendly and very helpful. The location was convenient but the proximity to the truck facility wasn't great.

8

Walter

Apr 13, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Too close to the interstate & noisy.

10

Kevin

Oct 3, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location

10

Carole

Jun 17, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Convenient to highway and comfortable room. Easy, friendly check in with coffee always fresh in lobby

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Dining

Breakfast feedback is mixed: several guests found it good or plentiful, while others reported items running out well before the posted end time and noted some stale or undercooked options. Lobby coffee was called fresh by one reviewer, and Perkins is adjacent.

Related guest reviews

10

Thomas

May 12, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Comfortable beds and nice-sized rooms that were clean. I liked the fact that it adjoins the Perkins restaurant. I will happily recommend this hotel. The area surrounding the hotel is a bit depressing, but the location is good as it provides quick access to Homer and Cortland.

2

Susan

Jul 31, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Room 118 was awful. It smelled like a damp basement and had mildew all over the door frame of the bathroom. The air conditioner made a loud noisy sound every time it turned on. We asked to change rooms and were directed to 124 which wasn’t made up. So we stayed in 118 for one night and moved to a better room the second night. We noticed when we tried to call to the front desk that the phone was not connected to anything! In the morning we came down for breakfast at around 9 (breakfast was supposed to be available til 10) only to discover that they were out of food! Not just out of eggs, but out of all hot food, out of milk, out of any kind of bread or muffins. I’ve never seen anything like it. There were 9 people there waiting to eat. Honestly, the only decent thing about the whole experience was the staff, they were very kind and helpful but seemed unable to do much to help. Maybe the management is a problem? I question if this hotel has a moisture problem they aren’t addressing. My friend has a chronic respiratory problem and struggled during our stay.

4

Dino

Apr 27, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Not very clean, hotel smelled, breakfast was all out of food with an hour and a half left.

8

robert

May 29, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Nice staff ! Good breakfast

6

michele

Jul 27, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Clean and comfortable; nice staff, shower handle need to work better; breakfast foods were not replenished for a weekend morning breakfast at 9:15: staff was limited and had to make more food and coffee for a breakfast included in your stay that runs 7 to 10.

6

michele

Jul 27, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice staff; very comfortable and clean. Dining service needed to be better equipped because breakfast food and coffee had run out by 9:15 on both Saturday and Sunday. (When the included breakfast is from 7 to 10.)

6

Eric

Aug 10, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Breakfast options were good enough. Beds were good. Internet was spotty. Would be a great place if cleanliness was a priority. Wall paper around the ac unit was peeling off and mold was forming enough to give a musty smell in the room. What appeared to be alien snot or some other bodily fluid flung on the wall that you had to look at while in bed, seemed apparent enough the cleaning staff should have seen and addressed. Some better management and this place would be very nice.

8

Amy

Oct 31, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Our room was clean and in good condition. Breakfast was good and plentiful. My only complaint would be that the main floor rooms had a musty smell.

8

Diana

Jul 11, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great facility. Great staff and breakfast. A little wet carpet and sheets at entrance to room but room clean

10

Carole

Jun 17, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Convenient to highway and comfortable room. Easy, friendly check in with coffee always fresh in lobby

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	$85
February	$86
March	$93
April	$115
May	$130
June	$119
July	$132
August	$137
September	$116
October	$123
November	$113
December	$97

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16 $78	17 $78	18 $123	19 $123
20 $88	21 $82	22 $82	23 $90	24 $90	25	26
27 $89	28 $89	29 $82	30 $82

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $117	2 $134	3 $134
4 $117	5 $130	6 $134	7 $134	8 $134	9 $130	10 $122
11 $130	12 $134	13 $134	14 $130	15 $130	16 $130	17 $130
18 $130	19 $130	20 $136	21 $133	22 $130	23 $173	24 $173
25 $130	26 $130	27 $130	28 $130	29 $174	30 $130	31 $130

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Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Standard Room, 1 King Bed with Sofa Bed

Room, 1 Double Bed, Accessible

Suite, 1 King Bed with Sofa Bed

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

Guest reviews

Pleasant

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property Policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about Clarion Inn & Suites Cortland - University Area

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Prices for upcoming dates