Motel 6 of Roanoke Rapids

Disclaimer: this isn’t 5 stars compared to the Ritz Paris or the Palace in Madrid, but compared to other budget hotels, this one was great:
1. Well lit parking lot
2. HOT shower. I like leaving the shower beet red, and had to actually add some cold
3. Online price same as actual price: $ 51.97 incl tax ($ 45.99 base), no additional charges for having a 2^nd adult, 2 kids, or a dog
4. Clean room. Sheets, floor, counters, bathroom. No water stains, mold, someone else’s hair.
5. Heater worked very quickly – the room was a little chilly, then warmed up within a few minutes. It wasn’t loud either.
6. Curtains worked: we weren’t affected by the glare from the truck stop lights
7. The room had zero odor.
Imperfections: hall carpet needs some work, but it wasn’t repulsive. One of the handicapped guests had a pet skunk, possibly for cancer or glaucoma treatment. The morning coffee isn’t great, but it’s not total yuck either. I guess I could ding a star for that, but eh.
There you have it. We intended to stay in Emporia or Norfolk, but the reviews for those locations were horrific.

In a desperate attempt to get some sleep, I stopped here with my family on our way back from Florida. It was aweful. The first room we were put in smelled like Tom Bodett urinated on the carpet and then died, turned into a zombie and left. The front desk girl was nice and put us in a room that smelled like the basement of a cheese factory but at least our eyes were not watering. I actually felt guilty I subjected my wife and child to this. I almost went to Walmart, bought cots and slept in the enclosed trailer we were towing. Next time I will pay the 100 bucks and stay at a Marriott Courtyard.

Had to check back in to motel 6 due to problems with bus pick up. They put me on the first/​lobby floor which is disgusting. The smell is awful. I did use their laundry facilities, which were decent.

So the hallway smells like a mixture of chlorine and fecal matter. So what? The motel has an «A» sanitation rating with an overall score of 94.5. And it was only fifty freaking dollars.
There were only 2 people loitering in the parking lot (that I noticed).
The bullet proof glass encasing the front desk has no scratches or scuffs on it, and even opens up so that you can interact with the clerk directly, who was very friendly. The lobby is large and clean.
I paid a fee of three dollars for wifi that cuts out once every ten minutes or so. I’m even using it to write this stupid review. What more could you ask for? Amazing blankets? Oh wait, they ALREADY HAVE THOSE. THE BLANKETS HAVE GEESE AND BEARS ON THEM. AND MOUNTAINS. JESUS CRIMMINY CHRIST. Oh, and dogs.
As we were paying up, some guy and his wife came downstairs and she stormed outside while he explained that she didn’t want to stay here and was forcing him to drive the rest of the distance home tonight.
PS the pillows are quite fluffy and the hot water works and the room is clean and there are no rapists or ghosts hiding under the bed

Pay attention the Parking lot is hard to figure out how to get in. Lot is rutted so be careful pulling in. You actually pull in the lot through a gas station parking lot. Place looks run down and I would be apprehensive staying here considering there is better looking chain hotels across the street. Can’t comment on the rooms since I only utilized there parking lot.