AmericInn by Wyndham Black River Falls

The hot tub wasn’t working, and the room smelled like mildew and feet as soon as we walked in. The carpet and curtains were old and gross, and we could hear everything through the connecting rooms, plus someone pacing upstairs all night. Outside our window, a motion light kept flashing on about every other minute, all night long. The outdoor seating area had dog poop all over it. When we called the desk about the light, the worker could barely understand what we were saying.

Within minutes of getting to the room, I found a cockroach. I asked the manager to come look, and she said, “I believe you,” then moved me to a room sharing a wall with the infested unit. I’d just been told there was no elevator after checking in and looking for one. The manager made a snide remark that I looked well and able. The bed was only half made, and there was dirt and debris everywhere. The fire alarms in the rooms were expired, and the hallway doors didn’t close by themselves. I have video of that if needed, and fire codes are being broken. I’ve stayed at other AmericInns and understand wanting a good deal, but this one is really bad. After those first five minutes, I wouldn’t even try breakfast. I’ll be making calls. Document everything, and don’t go near this place.

The quiet surprised me, and I got a great night’s sleep. The beds, pillows, and bathroom were all nice, and breakfast was decent, starting right on time at 5:30. There were eggs, juice, big sausages, a pancake maker, and cereals. It’s a good deal just off the highway, with ATV trails nearby. The pool and hot tub look pretty cool with the North woods decor. I’d probably bring my wife here, and she wouldn’t complain.

We came in from a bus trip with my elderly parents and a lot of luggage, so we asked for a first-floor room since there’s no elevator. At first they had us upstairs. The front desk girl said she had to document why we needed a first-floor room or she’d get in trouble, like we had to interview for it. She did manage to switch us, though the system gave her trouble. The hotel was filthy, run-down, and shoddy. Kids were everywhere, splashing pool water and pizza around the pool area, running through the halls late at night and early morning. You could hear them pound from one end of the hotel to the other, since the walls and ceilings had no sound barrier. I won’t get into all the room’s craptastic features, but when the mini fridge shut off, the TV did too, then came back after 15 seconds. Worst hotel stay I’ve ever had.