Best Western Knoxville Airport/Alcoa

I paid a little over $100 including taxes and was pleasantly surprised by the room. It had recently been upgraded, with full amenities and a comfortable bed, and the shower pressure was strong. The employees were friendly and accommodating, and the grounds were clean. I didn’t see anyone hanging around the parking lot, so if that had been an issue before, it seems to have been resolved. I’d missed my flight and only needed somewhere to crash for about seven hours. I usually choose Hilton properties or a Marriott equivalent, but the Hilton Airport location was ridiculously expensive. The 24/7 airport shuttle was a big help and got me there at 4:10 a.m.

The staff were good, and the location is near everything, though turning into the hotel is difficult. Our room, unfortunately, was filthy, with a trash bag and chips left by previous guests. Breakfast was cold, bland, and underwhelming. The pancake maker was decent, but it broke after our first night.

The breakfast was my favorite part. It tasted better than most complimentary breakfasts I’ve had in the little bit of traveling I’ve done. They put extra care and ingredients into it, so it pleased my taste buds while still working for picky eaters. I called the front desk to ask what was in one dish. The woman couldn’t answer right away, but she took time to call me back with the information without me asking her to. That kindness made me feel appreciated and human. After a long drive, my family stopped here, and I was impressed. Our room was very clean, as were the outside areas and common spaces, despite some of the lower-rated reviews. It was a wonderful place to stay, and I’d recommend it to anyone. I hope I get to come back someday. Thanks for the hospitality.

The room was comfortable, clean, and nice, and the price beat other hotels in the area. The free breakfast wasn’t anything special, but at least it was included.