Days Inn Ames

The hallway reeked of cigarette smoke. The staff were fine, and the kiosk check-in worked, though the whole process felt weird. It’s annoying not having anyone at a front desk when you just need something simple like a fork or spoon. I won’t stay at another Days Inn.

There’s no in-person front desk. You use a kiosk to FaceTime someone overseas. For a special event, they tried charging an extra $50 for a second person in a double queen room, even though rooms are usually around $100 a night. It felt like they were holding us hostage and price gouging. The TV didn’t work, there was no toilet paper on the holder when we arrived, and the water barely trickled. I wouldn’t recommend it. In my opinion, ownership is unethical and uses predatory practices.

The hot tub was dirty, and its handle leaked. The ice bucket had no liner and was full of coffee packets. There was a kiosk in the lobby instead of people, and the office was locked, so there was no way to ask about the supposedly free breakfast. It was behind a locked door and inaccessible.

The location and price were good, especially with other places costing more during the season. Cleanliness needs improvement, and they should at least provide a bottle of water. The owner works during the day, but the management didn’t seem happy to be there. They also overcharged me for a deposit by an unusual amount, $26.66. I asked the front desk guy about it, but his answer wasn’t satisfactory. Customer service matters in any business, and I hope they learn that quickly.