Anybody stay in any microtel hotels on the drive to wdw

[cottontail]

Hi: Just wondering what the microtel chain of hotels are like. We usually stay in hampton inns on the drive to wdw? Any comments on microtel?

Thanks,

Deb.

 

[A&CsMom]

I would also like to know. We have a night booked at Microtel in Beckley, WV for the way home in May. $53 with an indoor pool and two queen beds. Good reviews on TripAdvisor. Any other info would be appreciated.

 

[cabmom]

We've stayed at the one in Beckley in 2002 I think. It was nice then. They are very reasonable and give discounts as well.

 

[Tinkerjane]

The Microtel chain is very nice and clean. However, very small, hence "Micro"tel
Stayed there many times and always enjoyed it, they usually have free continental breakfast as well.

 

[RunDanceSkate]

It's not a Hampton LOL. For grabbing a couple hours of sleep while on the road they are fine. You will be up early the next morning as soon as the truckers stir because the walls are thin and the toliets sound like they are flushing in your bed. They are clean and cheap though.

 

[A&CsMom]

That works for us. We will literally get there in time to go to bed, get up early and be on our way. Not worth spending $100 to us if something clean and decent is available for $53.

 

[lisaviolet]

We've stayed in Beckley numerous times. Really like Microtel. Enjoy the window bench. Hate the harsh lights in the chain. The rooms are really small if you book one "queen" bed. Obviously, the higher priced ones are larger. I don't mind the tiny room. Like it actually. Depends what you are used to. Enjoy the ability to use the microwave in the common area. Have used it often. They have a free continental breakfast. Not a seller for me b/c it's mostly bagels/pastries/cereals???. I'm a salmon eating breakfast kind of girl. However, I imagine this is a real seller for families. If you are going at a low season, with no chance of being booked full, I would suggest using the rest stop coupons. Sometimes they are less than prebooking. Unless it's a weekend. Then prebook for sure.

We've stayed at Microtel in Erie, PA; Beckley, WV; Lake Norman, NC; Rock Hill, SC; Pooler, GA (Savannah); and the other Microtel in the Savannah area. Variations along the 79/79/26/95 route. There is also one in Columbia, SC. (Also stated in Plattsburgh, NY on a different trip...new franchise...very clean)

The guidebooks used to rate each Microtel. I don't know if they still do but I've found it extremely useful and on the mark. Beckley had a very high rating at the time and it showed. Great location. Spotless. Erie is fine; the staff is well not the friendliest (more than one stay). Lake Norman is well not really up to Microtel standards; however, we stay there over and over regardless because the staff is very nice and the location is terrific. Free internet and long distance calls at this location. Don't know if all Microtel have this now. Found it hard to believe about the long distance but it was true. Rock Hill was rated low and it showed. Staff was great. Had a business centre. Columbia at Two Notch Road is a good location with many dining options. The two Savannahs were fine. One is better but can't remember which. Love to stay there and go to Savannah's river area for the night.

I've had two issues with reservations not being in their system or price not in their system. One at Erie and one at Pooler. Erie was just rude about it and said, "sorry we are booked". But of course I didn't let it go and phoned the reservation line (had confirmation #) and got a room. Pooler wouldn't give a rate I booked at. Fought that. (couldn't find my print out/only had confirmation #????..maybe by phone no printout) Both these franchises played the "franchise card". Ie. we are really not Microtel and we don't care what the main line says kind of attitude. But this behaviour is certainly not limited to Microtel unfortunately. A lot of chains say "we're franchises/independent". Heck my Canada Post does that!! And for two situations out of many stays hasn't changed my mind about staying there. And a phone call to the microtel line affects their rating for future guests. If they still have it.

I especially like the indoor hallways. That's the plus with Microtel. You get a "motel" price with indoor hallways. Okay, this was a novel.

All the best,

Lisa

 

[NotSoMini]

My Microtel experience .... well, we've never actually stayed in one - however, we booked one in Bethel, CT. on our last drive south. When we arrived, the Manager regretfully informed us that they were full (not exactly overbooked, but a group of people - a sports team maybe? - from the previous night had not checked out). Not only had he arranged for alternative accommodation for us at a similar non-chain property practically across the street, the Manager supplied us with a free accommodation voucher and a voucher for a free breakfast!

So we didn't stay in the Microtel, but we stayed in a great FREE for the night property in the same location!

If the chain (Microtel) is half as good as this Manager, it's a great chain!

 

[PhotobearSam]

We stayed in one near the 81 on the drive to WDW through Maryland. All we could hear was the trucks going by. We did not sleep at all. It would have been FINE if we were further from the road but it was like that for everyone we met at breakfast.

DH then said "Hampton Inn" no matter what from now on.

 

[cottontail]

Hi: We lean toward hampton too, but when I check the rates they seem to be alot more than the other chains.

Deb.

 

[PhotobearSam]

Yeah they are expensive but DH insists that it's worth $99 US to wake up refreshed. We get brealfast too and comfy beds.

We have stayed at Fairfield Inns also. They are quite nice too.

We used to think that we could judge just on the name of the chain but recent experiences at Ramadas and Best Western have made us ALWAYS look at the room first except the Hamptons as they have all been sooooo good.

We get the coupon books from the visitor centers and get good rates that way.

 

[tobidisney]

I HATED IT> IT was a DUMP!!

but it was 2 am and we needed to sleep. IF you are able to plan ahead, plan elsewhere.

I always stay hampton too and as an earlier post stated...its no hampton!!!

there is a small continental breakfast ( not hamptons) and I laughed and said to my husband well there were litterally two choices for the continental breakfast

1) take it
2) Leave it

seriously it was a bagel or a muffin...no fruit, no donut no egg product.

It is cheap, but dirty...pool was filty...halways...filty...bench seat was covered in what appeared to be a really good time for some other couple if you know what I mean.....

This was a week ago, so I doubt much as changed.

OH yeah, did I mention how small the rooms were????

 

[lisaviolet]

I HATED IT> IT was a DUMP!!

but it was 2 am and we needed to sleep. IF you are able to plan ahead, plan elsewhere.

I always stay hampton too and as an earlier post stated...its no hampton!!!

there is a small continental breakfast ( not hamptons) and I laughed and said to my husband well there were litterally two choices for the continental breakfast

1) take it
2) Leave it

seriously it was a bagel or a muffin...no fruit, no donut no egg product.

It is cheap, but dirty...pool was filty...halways...filty...bench seat was covered in what appeared to be a really good time for some other couple if you know what I mean.....

This was a week ago, so I doubt much as changed.

OH yeah, did I mention how small the rooms were????

Wow. I haven't been to this location since 2002/maybe 03. But it was absolutely spotless then. I'm so sorry to hear about the decline.

 

[cottontail]

Well thanks for all the comments. I have to stay somewhere that I feel comfortable with or else I will not be able to sleep at all.
My brother has this saying about motel rooms and travel he says " you should stay somewhere as good as home if not better on a vacation or save more money and go a year later."

Thanks again,

Deb.

 

[A&CsMom]

I will be changing my reservation. It's not worth saving $40 to sleep in a dive. Thanks for the info.

 

[cottontail]

Hi: Do you know about tripadvisor.com I put in the city I am going to and read the position of the hotel and reviews here is the one for Beckley with the countryinn and suites as number one.

But a couple of years ago we drove down i75 and stayed in a countryinn and suites in kentucky, that was a dive as well so check everything out.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/HACSearc...07&inDay=1&outMonth=05/2007&outDay=2&adults=2

Bye,

Deb.

 

[sammi]

Deb when we went down to Garden City Beach in Sept. of 2005 we also stayed over in Beckley but it was the Labour Day weekend (Friday) and we didn't exactly know where we had planned to stop for the night so we just drove off the highway and went to a Super 8 and it was the nastiest hotel room we've ever stayed in, and because it was Labour Day they had the gall to charge us $110.00 US for a terrible room with only a double bed and a window air conditioner that blew on our face all night! Ughhh it was awful....my DB still jokes about it every time we pass a Super 8 motel!

LOL Deb I just checked out the Beckley Super 8 on Trip Advisor and yep, everyone agrees with me!!It's a dump!!! lol