Cardinal Court Motel

That was a lousy night, and I wouldn't recommend this place. The bed was uncomfortable, and the polyester sheets had some kind of laundry perfume smell. The shower was barely stronger than my stream of piss. The caretaker said the broken things couldn't be fixed. The phone for the front desk didn't work properly, and the reading light over the bed flickered, but they couldn't replace the bulb. Thankfully, I was there for just one night. I don't understand the high ratings others have given this motel.

Ian, the manager, is a golden relic from another era: extremely personable and attentive to every guest's needs. That alone earns Cardinal Court top ratings. It brings back memories of the countless Midwest motels I visited on baseball trips as a teenager in the early 2000s, somewhere to get a sound night's sleep before continuing on your way. The rooms may strike some people as underwhelming or uncomfortable, but it's a motel with simple amenities and no pretensions of being anything else, so the opinions of potential detractors count for little. Cardinal Court Motel is the Platonic ideal of its category. I'd stay there forever if I could, with my subconscious gently reminding me of simpler times.

The trees and greenery outside the windows made this a lovely spot for getting out of the city. The bed was comfy, the rooms have been nicely maintained, and there was even a little continental breakfast. It brought back memories of family road trips when I was a kid. I'd definitely stay again.

The staff were fantastic and quickly helped me figure out the room heater. The room was clean, the bed was comfy, and it had all the amenities I needed. This is a sweet, quaint old-school motel, with appealing grounds and great value. I'll definitely return.