Carriage House Inn

The location was great, and the pool area was clean with a heated pool. The staff were nice and the service was good. Breakfast was decent, mostly grab-and-go food with a few hot items, about a 5.5/10. For a cheaper-than-most stay, you get what you pay for. The room was dated, maybe a 6.5/10. The beds felt a bit springy, the sheets were too bulky, and the showerhead was much too low for anyone over 5’8. The floor felt a little wet, almost like there was lotion on it that stuck to our feet. A couple of tacks stuck up from the strip between the bedroom and bathroom, and we stepped on them once or twice. It needs some improvements, though it wasn't the worst place I've stayed. Keep in mind there's no elevator, just three flights of stairs.

The shower was the deal breaker for us. The water was only lukewarm, with a pencil-thin spray and very little pressure, so rinsing off was difficult and uncomfortable. The toilet was so low that my knees nearly reached my chin. The soap dispensers were broken or empty, so there was no soap. When we raised these problems with the front desk attendant, he said it would be 4-5 days before anything could be addressed. We stayed three nights for several Chistmas shows in the Branson area. The room was about what we'd expected for the price, and it was very clean, centrally located, and reasonably priced. The king bed was very comfortable. Breakfast was just okay, maybe a 5 out of 10. We don't recommend this motel and won't return. It wasn't terrible, just not for us.

The staff were great, and breakfast was nice, though the breakfast area was crowded and could have used more seating. The pool was clear, but there was a dirt ring at the waterline. It was supposed to be heated, and while it wasn't cold, it wasn't warm enough either. I had reserved a handicap room but was told none was available at check-in. The room looked clean at first, though there was a dust ring along the edges and behind the furniture, and mold stains in the tub caulking. The carpet by the front door was ripped and needs replacing. The metal bed frame ran down to the floor, and hitting it with your heel when getting out of bed made a drumlike noise. It clapped like thunder when you rolled over. In general, the rooms need updating.

The building looks beautiful from outside, and the first impression was great. Breakfast had a nice range of options, and the bed was very comfortable. The room itself felt dated and could use updates. The Hotels.com listing had only three pictures, so more accurate, detailed photos would help set expectations. The bathroom was the biggest letdown. We had a king room with a jetted tub, but there was hair in and on the tub, and visible cracks that looked patched instead of repaired. I didn't feel comfortable using it beyond taking a shower. The towel rack wasn't properly attached to the wall. The modern showerhead and sink faucet were the bathroom's only standout features. There was also a crack in the bottom left of the front door where light came through. With updates and more attention to cleanliness, this place could be great.