Red Lion Inn & Suites Branson

The Red Lion has a more laid-back feel and is much quieter for traffic and noise, even though it’s still on the strip and close to everything. It’s farther toward the end, which made it less of a headache than the Clarion Inn down the road where we’d stayed before. Service was amazing, with a welcoming, down-home feel. The TV was a good size and had more than five channels, and the bed and normal-sized pillows were amazingly comfortable. The room was clean and smelled clean, and breakfast included good home-cooked burritos. From the road it doesn’t really look like a hotel, and you can’t see the rooms as you drive past. Walk around back early in the morning, though, and the view is so pretty.

We left right after seeing the room and couldn’t even get anyone at the desk to check us out. The doors were locked, so we slid the key cards through and ran. When we first checked in around 10:30 at night, the sliding lobby doors weren’t working, all the lights were off except behind the desk, and the man there seemed out of sorts. There was dog hair piled behind him. The room had no AC running and smelled strongly of mildew. There were big carpet stains and dust over most of the surfaces, lamps, and floor. Outside, the parking lot had no security lighting, and weeds were knee to thigh high through the pavement cracks. They don’t offer breakfast either. I’m not sure if this place has gone downhill, but I won’t be back.

The front desk attendants were always great and friendly, but that was about it. We stayed four nights and room service never tended to the room. We could get fresh towels on time, but not enough washcloths, so they gave us hand towels. The staff were nice, but the service was the worst I’ve experienced. Other guests were rowdy and loud all night, every night, and the managers didn’t seem able to control it. The room itself was mostly clean and nice, with comfortable beds, a pleasant smell, working heater and AC, and great water pressure and hot water. There were cobwebs in the corners, and the tub drain backed up and left dirt in the bottom, making it take forever to get everyone ready. It has potential, but I wouldn’t stay again.

We ended up booking an extra day after our first night. The room was tidy, smelled nice, and was just right for us. We checked for bedbugs and other bugs and found none, and we both slept peacefully and comfortably. I’d read some harsh, intimidating reviews during the drive and started worrying about what we’d booked. But the front desk woman was sweet and helpful, and our own stay was great. Don’t let the bad reviews scare you, at least in our case.