Travelodge Buffalo University District

The staff were really friendly, which is about the only explanation I can think of for the five-star reviews. The price was easily the lowest around, but everything seemed stained or broken, and the surfaces had grime on them instead of being cleaned. You get what you pay for, I guess. I'm a heavy sleeper, so the kids running around at 3 a.m. and the police being called didn't bother me, though I get why other people would be upset.

The receptionist understood and helped us get a refund, and we found a cheaper motel and rebooked within minutes. The area around this place felt unsafe. We were there for less than 20 minutes: we checked two rooms and left. The first smelled strongly of smoke even though it was supposed to be nonsmoking, and the AC was broken with no fresh air. The second was worse, reeking of urine, full of flies, generally dirty and battered, with damaged appliances including the AC. We were offered the second room after going to reception and apologizing for the inconvenience. The company has said in earlier replies, as recently as six months ago, that it would fix these problems. Don't believe it. You can't take a photo of a smell yet, and you wouldn't want to experience it anyway. I don't understand how this place is still in business.

I enjoyed staying there for three days, and the price was very affordable. Housekeeping staff were great. They have smoking rooms available alongside nonsmoking ones. The location is close to a movie theater and a plaza with a grocery store, shopping centers, and lots of places to eat.

The second room was better, thankfully, but the inside of the refrigerator looked disgusting, like it had never been wiped down. We switched rooms after the first one smelled strongly of marijuana, even though the signs clearly said the rooms were nonsmoking. We'd already kept our expectations low because of the price. You get what you pay for, and here that isn't much.