Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Abilene East District

I've been here twice. The rooms are a little worn but decent, and each one has a fridge and microwave. The bed is comfortable. Whataburger is across the street, and there's a really good seafood spot right next door. I haven't seen any cockroaches, despite the complaints I've read. At $60 or $70, this would be an easy choice. Tonight it cost $109 before tax even though I booked just a day ahead. The other hotels in town seem just as overpriced. I don't see a big event happening, so maybe Abilene pricing is just odd.

Check-in was easy, and the person working nights was very nice. But after I got to my room, I noticed two tool bags under the shelf near the bathroom. I called the desk in case they belonged to another guest. The person there thought they might be the maintenance man's and said he'd be in the room the next day, so we left them alone. I fell asleep around 9:30 p.m. About an hour later, someone began knocking. At first I thought they were at the room next door, but the knocks got harder and continued for about eight minutes. Since I wasn't expecting anyone at 10:30 p.m. and didn't know who it was, I went to the window and called out to ask what he wanted. He said he was the maintenance man and needed his tools. I refused to let him in. It was late, he had no ID or uniform, and I had no way to know if he really worked there. I asked why he thought it was appropriate to come so late and told him to leave. I called the front desk right away. The staff member apologized and said he'd call the man. I was furious and couldn't get back to sleep, worried he might return. I didn't sleep at all, which wrecked my workday, and I also had to drive back to Austin that day. The room was dirty, and I took plenty of photos. I also asked if it was supposed to be smoke-free. The desk said yes, so I pointed out the ashtray and the strong cigarette smell. I travel often and usually stay with IHG or Choice Hotels. This place didn't match the Choice Hotel brand, and I don't understand all the positive Google reviews.

We stayed with our 3-year-old and thought the room was decent. The beds were comfortable and the sheets clean. The bathroom was smaller than I expected, but clean, and the shower worked. A few things needed attention: the inside flip lock was loose, the blinds wouldn't stay shut unless I used a clothespin, and my key card kept failing until I got it reset. Other guests played loud music at 1 a.m., though that's outside the hotel's control. The location was handy for the zoo, about an eight-minute drive away. There are two excellent places to eat right next door, a seafood restaurant and Mustang Donuts. A kids' museum and a playground are nearby too. The trains on the tracks beside the hotel blowing their horns at 2 a.m. were rough, though. Check-in and checkout went smoothly, and the guy at the desk was helpful. I also went in through the wrong door one day after another person told me I could. That interaction wasn't great, but I was the one who got it wrong, and I apologize for that. Some of the problems may depend on the room. The bad reviews seem a bit harsh to me. For a few days near Interstate 20, this is a decent place to stay, and the issues we had were minor.

The location is good, and the price was about $110. Check-in gave me some trouble, and the door's deadbolt wouldn't lock, which could be a serious issue for some people. There were lots of cigarette butts outside, but it was fairly quiet at night. I'd rate it 2.5 out of 5. If it cost more, I'd probably stay somewhere else.