Magnuson Hotel Birch Run

It wasn't a bad night for an economy hotel, and my room did look and smell clean. I wasn't expecting luxury for the price, but it was more run down than I'm used to. The blankets were paper thin and the pillows lumpy. There wasn't a pen or notepad in the room. It did have a one-cup coffee maker and a mini fridge, with a microwave available in the Best Western lobby. This is actually a motel, with its amenities inside the Best Western: the check-in desk, pool, breakfast, ice machine, vending machines, lobby, and coffee cart. Even the key said Best Western. The breakfast there was pretty minimal, but it was free, so I can't expect much from an economy place.

For the short time we were there, the hotel felt like a safe community, almost like an apartment complex. It's a quiet place with a good restaurant and bar, a pool, and a hot tub. What stays with me most is how the staff treated me when my family and I were going through a difficult time. They saw me at my worst and responded with support, respect, open hearts, and professionalism. One tip: bring your own coffee maker or head to the lobby for the all-day coffee bar.

The front desk staff were kind and helpful, but the family suite was just dirty. The floor was filthy and the room smelled like an ashtray. The twin bunk beds were rubber mats, with grime underneath them that looked as if they hadn't been lifted for cleaning. The wool blankets were rough, old, and matted, with bits of hair caught in the fibers. I'm sorry, but I won't stay here again.

The bathrooms were clean, and the Best Western in front of the Magnuson looked very nice. Breakfast there was very good too. But our Magnuson room, which is run by Best Western, was horrible. The carpet was damp and filthy; after one walk across it, my feet were black, so walking barefoot wasn't an option. There was a water stain on the ceiling, likely from the roof that needs replacing. The mattress sagged in the middle, the sheets were threadbare, and the blanket was old and worn. Our neighbors talked loudly until at least 1 AM. I wouldn't return.