Cheap, clean motel near Kings Dominion

[englishteacha]

We've decided to make a rather spur of the moment trip to Virginia next week. We would like to stay 2 nights near Kings Dominion, and I'm having trouble finding a hotel. I've read Trip Advisor, Hotels.com, and every review I can find and there are few reviews that are positive about any of the motels in that area. Can anyone recommend a clean, cheap motel near Kings Dominion? We're looking for around $40-50 a night. There are tons in that price range but I'm not sure which are decent and which are not.

Since all seem to be equally horrible, I'm tempted to just do a priceline bid for really cheap and see what it gives me! Do happy hotel guests ever leave a review??

(We usually camp on vacation so looking for hotels is completely new to me!)

 

[tinytink]

The Best Western is no really that nice but it's right outside of the park and they offer a shuttle to the park. When we stayed a few years ago there was no fee for the shuttle but the room itself was not great but not bad. I guess you can say it was what you would expect for a motel. We prefer the Hilton chain like the Embassy Suites but I don't think you will be able to get a room there for $40-$50 per night

 

[HM]

There is a Sleep Inn, an exit or two South of Kings Dominion. I got a great rate there a few years back and LOVED the hotel. Free cookies on checkin and I think it had breakfast in the morning. It was very clean and near a lot of restaurants.

 

[Ashlander]

I live in Ashland, 6 miles south of Kings Dominion. There are a lot of hotels & restaurants here. There is a Super 8 that is pretty inexpensive. I can't speak to the quality of the hotel, but the area is good.

I've stayed at the Best Western at Kings Dominion many times years ago and it wasn't terrible if you can get a good deal there. It will save you $10 in parking.

 

[Big Kahuna]

We just have just returned from King Dominion, but we camped instead. My reason for writing is to warn you about drink prices. Now we can agree that no one is better at seperating you from your money better than Disney.

But I was totally shocked and felt ripped off by Kings Dominion charging 3.87 for a 20 OZ. Bottle of soda or water. Not that it means much but I was later interviewed by the park for their survey and made note of that fact to them. I am sure that it doesn't mean much to them, but when you out price Disney then you are just being greedy.

 

[englishteacha]

Thanks for the info, Big Kahuna! I figured the food/drinks would be pricey. We've been to Cedar Point and Dorney Park, both owned by the same parent company, and knew the prices would be a bit steep. I didn't realize the drinks would be that much, though! Looks like we'll drink cups of water!

 

[npmommie]

We just have just returned from King Dominion, but we camped instead. My reason for writing is to warn you about drink prices. Now we can agree that no one is better at seperating you from your money better than Disney.

But I was totally shocked and felt ripped off by Kings Dominion charging 3.87 for a 20 OZ. Bottle of soda or water. Not that it means much but I was later interviewed by the park for their survey and made note of that fact to them. I am sure that it doesn't mean much to them, but when you out price Disney then you are just being greedy.

I felt the same way at Hersheypark this summer.

 

[lovetoscrap]

We were actually just there last weekend. Ashland is the best place to look for hotels. We stayed at the Howard Johnson. With 2 nights (Thurs, Fri) it came out to around $50 per night. It was very clean and comfortable-- and I am picky about cleanliness. Free breakfast with make your own waffles. The towels were a bit lacking but at that price I guess I can't be too picky! It was definitely no frills but the staff was nice. Oh, it was hot-- no a/c in the halls or elevator and the room had no a/c on when we got in on a 90+ day. It took hours for it to cool off so that was annoying.

The room had a "window seat" that could have been used as a bed by my 9 year old but she moves around so much she fell off and ended up in bed with her sister. Another reason I picked this hotel was because they had queen size beds instead of just doubles.

Ashland has plenty of restaurants right there off the exit with the hotels. But they were very busy on Saturday mid morning so plan to wait.

Kings Dominion has a water park so make sure you bring your suits and towels. Locker Rental is $10 and worth it!

I thought the prices for food and drink were outrageous! More expensive than Disney and smaller servings.

Oh, you will have to go through a very disorganized and completely ridiculous security screen when you arrive. It is after you scan your ticket and get in you go through a metal detector and have your bags checked. It was absolute chaos. There are signs everywhere about no outside food or drink and they will check. They did allow water though.

Overall we had a fun day and are glad we went.

ETA: Checked on the location, I had it wrong. We were at the Howard Johnson: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...n_Suites_Kings_Dominion-Ashland_Virginia.html

 

[java]

PLEASE No Best Western! We had roaches in our room. When we complained they asked "how many?"
So obviously they have issues with them. It was gross.

We stayed at the Hampton Inn in ashland and it was clean! and close by.

Oh what is the name of that yummy place to eat in Ashland by the train tracks- it's this little bakery type place? Woman's name I think in the title?
They had the yummiest quiche and pasta salad.

 

[Ashlander]

PLEASE No Best Western! We had roaches in our room. When we complained they asked "how many?"
So obviously they have issues with them. It was gross.

We stayed at the Hampton Inn in ashland and it was clean! and close by.

Oh what is the name of that yummy place to eat in Ashland by the train tracks- it's this little bakery type place? Woman's name I think in the title?
They had the yummiest quiche and pasta salad.

I'm so late responding - I've been on vacation and I was just going through my Subscriptions. The restaurant you are talking about is Homemades by Suzanne. Definitely my favorite in town!