Econo Lodge Inn & Suites

The staff were my favorite part. They were so accommodating, gave us a gift bag, directions to an event happening on the water, and other recommendations. The price for the room was great, the garden and decorations were adorable, and they even named the potted plants inside. I slept really well on the very comfortable beds. The room was a little dusty and aged, but that didn’t bother me. I’d come back just for the staff!

For a quick overnight, this place is basically satisfactory. We stayed four days, though, and the quality was uneven. The location worked very well for our needs, and everyone on staff was friendly and accommodating. I wish we could have enjoyed the courtyard, but winter weather got in the way. The room was clean when we arrived, but you have to ask for tidying, wiping down the wash counters, and other basics. I knew sheet changes were on request, which I understand as a current industry practice. I didn’t realize that meant requesting nearly every service. Need toilet paper before you run out, or towels replaced and garbage taken out? You’d better ask. When I asked why, I was politely told, with little concern, that “we signed for it” in the first place. Lesson learned. The room was fair, and the bathroom was tiny and aging. I also didn’t like that the sink was in a separate room. Breakfast wasn’t pleasant. The staff do their best in a difficult job, but the area is small and crowded, and the food was not fresh or inviting. The breakfast area looks nice when empty, but mornings can be a shock. I hope you like coffee mate. We expected much better food. Maybe the place mainly caters to one-night visitors and larger groups who don’t mind weak cleaning standards and substandard food. None of this is directly the staff’s fault. They have a lot to deal with, and they’re the only reason I gave three stars despite the poor room service. My warning: read the fine print.

There was a live cockroach in the bed on our last night, and the room seemed infested. I’ve seen other reviews mentioning cockroaches too. When I reported it, they offered only a refund for one of our three nights and said they would fumigate. The customer service was abysmal. The room was already disgusting when I arrived: flies, spiders, and cobwebs everywhere, brown and white stains on the furniture, and a blood stain on the duvet. There was black mold in the bathroom, and the room generally wasn’t clean. Some odd perfume had been used to cover the odors, and it wasn’t pleasant. This motel should not be open to customers.

The room was just what we expected, the pool was clean, and check-in was easy. The staff were super friendly, and the motel was simple to find. We needed easy access to downtown Van without staying downtown, and the location worked great. It’s an older hotel, but well maintained, and the rooms show their age. You get what you pay for, so keep your expectations reasonable and you should be fine. We’ll definitely stay again.