Econo Lodge

You get what you pay for…
Saw the reviews about this hotel after booking through Priceline and could not get a refund. Thought about canceling, losing the money and going to a nicer hotel or embracing the adventure staying here could bring. My friend and I decided we were up for the adventure. And the adventure did not disappoint.
We arrived at night on a Friday. The outside reminded us of a Mexican villa (pretty sure it was a La Quinta in a formal life). The lobby was outdated but clean. There was one guy working to check us in. We were 3^rd in line, the guy checking people in was very efficient and super nice. We found out his name is Kevin, we give him 5 stars –he was awesome.
Our room was #202, which was by the door leading into the hallway at the top of the stairs. Room description: stained chairs, stained lamp shades, a remote with no batteries, a bathroom light that may have needed an exorcism, a bible with pages cut in the fashion of a prison break hidey hole, a hatch in the ceiling that may or may have not housed a poltergeist. Since we were on an adventure, we tried to open the hatch to see if there was a creeper up there, or maybe a bag o cash, sadly it wouldn’t budge. There were a few pennies on the outside window ledge (for the ferryman?). The window was slightly open and there wasn’t screen. We found a broken hanger that appeared to double as a weapon, and a shower head that washed the ceiling as much as it sprayed on you. And even though the hotel is no smoking, the room also smelled like cigarettes. Perks– A working TV and mini refrigerator. No bed bugs (that would be a deal breaker), the room was clean, clean towels, and clean bedding.
The other hotel guest were… interesting. They were loud when out in the hallway and going up and down the stairs. We witnessed a guy crawling through a window where his buddy was, pretty sure he did not pay to stay there. We heard a lot of other sketchy and some pretty funny conversations in the hallway. We are pretty sure if we needed something medicinal, there was a good chance we could it there. A lady was pounding on another room door (near our room) yelling for a guy and her child was crying. Someone stole our do not disturb sign– not kidding, someone disturbed our do not disturb sign, who does that?
One night we witnessed Kevin (the awesome) checking someone in that paid all in cash. It was spread out in a fan all over the counter. We witnessed Kevin (the awesome) in a number of situations that would make me want hit my head on the counter. He handled each one expertly, and the quests he helped appeared pleased with his solutions.
When we commented to Kevin on how awesome he was, he said «I’ve been in 2 wars, this is nothing.» He’s a glass half full guy.
The adventure was a success! What we saved in hotel costs we spent on shopping and food, and wine — which is a requirement when on an adventure. Basically for the price, no complaints. If you’re looking for amenities (like not having to go to the front desk to get batteries for your remote) this is NOT the place for you. If you need a clean room to park your stuff, a place to sleep, are not afraid of a little character building, then throw caution to the wind and try it (at your own risk).
We give this hotel 4 stars. The room was clean, the other guests were interesting, and the staff was awesome (looking at you Kevin). We got what we paid for, and didn’t go into this with inflated expectations.

Probably the most God-​awful hotel I ever stayed in. How Econolodge is not embarrassed to have this dump in their stable is beyond me. Some of the greatest hits: Room reeked of cigarette smoke to the point it made your eyes burn, outside doors open without security, toilet seat sliding all over the place, mold throughout tub seams and cracked and peeling, horrifying dark stains on chair and ottoman, holes in wall patched then painted over without sanding, A/​C unit out of the 60’s. Not worth $ 19/​night, forget $ 80.
I’d stay in the Bates Motel given the choice. This place is truly horrific. It should be gutted to concrete and rebuilt.

Do not stay here. This place looks and smells like the scene of a scary movie. I checked in and immediately asked for a
refund. Immediately. Room was about $ 70 and I went down to the holiday inn and paid double but it was worth it.

This place used to be a La Quinta, and back when I lived in K’zoo, I came here once to visit some friends who were stopping in town. It seemed OK then, a basic budget motel, fairly clean. Almost 30 years later… I don’t know if anything about it has been updated or replaced.
Though the motel has been all non-​smoking for a while now, the carpet in our room reeked of smoke and looked dirty. The plunger in the bathroom sink didn’t work and I had to pull it out entirely to get the sink to drain. The bathtub was dingy and stained. Lots of scrapes and scratches on the walls and furniture. One of the bedside lights was burnt out.
While we were trying to sleep, groups of drunken, beligerent people were hanging out in the parking lot, hooting, cussing, and blasting music into the wee hours of the morning. Don’t know if I can blame the hotel for that, but someone from the office could have come out and told the miscreants to leave, or at least called the police. The motel’s tolerating that kind of behavior is good reason by itself to stay elsewhere.
On the up side, coffee from the continental breakfast was not bad. So if you come to the Zoo, by all means swing by to steal a cup of coffee from the lobby. But book a room somewhere else.

Stayed one night (Sat 7÷13÷13).
Pros:
Was clean
Staff was friendly
Had continental breakfast
Fixtures (tub, sink, lights) were in good shape
Safe in room
Hair dryer in room
towels were soft and new
YMCA pass included
Affordable at $ 85 + tx
Neutral:
breakfast was the very base of continental: fruit loops, raisin bran, coffee, orange juice, English muffins, small donuts, Danishes and yogurt.
Small workout room, but no instructions on how to use equipment (bowflex)
Tanning available for a fee
Cons:
No fridge in the room
Room is non smoking now, but obviously hasn’t been professionally cleaned as there was still the musty smoky smell
No pool
Charged $ 1.50 for safe & limited warranty in taxes