The Baxa Inn

On a return trip to Buckhannon and Wesleyan, I found the Baxa clean, comfortable, quiet, convenient, and safe. The staff were very friendly and attentive. I recommend the Baxa for a comfortable, convenient stay in Buckhannon.

The room was clean, the rate was fair, and the motel has character. Housekeeping was meticulous, and it’s clear the owner takes the upkeep seriously. It has the feel of a classic mom-and-pop roadside motel, the sort that once offered travelers a quiet, simple, inexpensive night away from big hotel chains. But guests should know what the property is like now. During our stay, most, possibly all, of the other rooms seemed to be occupied by long-term residents, likely people or families in difficult circumstances. We were between two rooms that seemed to hold several generations of one extended family. A large group gathered close to our room, in the parking area and on the sidewalk, drinking, laughing, yelling, and tossing beer cans until at least midnight. Soon after we arrived, while I was still sitting in my car, a man came up with a cigarette in one hand and a bottle of liquor in the other. He put his hand on my car door and asked, “Do you know where you are?” It wasn’t a warm welcome and set the tone for the evening. Nothing explicitly threatening happened, but my wife and I felt unsafe and deeply uncomfortable for our whole stay. I don’t begrudge anyone a place to stay, and I understand that motels sometimes provide transitional housing. Still, this situation is a serious concern for travelers looking for somewhere quiet, safe, and restful. It didn’t feel like a traditional motel, more like a residential facility for people going through hardship. That may be a compassionate use of the property, but it doesn’t match what many travelers expect from an overnight stay. Unless you’re used to a very different kind of lodging or are looking for budget accommodations regardless of the surroundings, you may want to look elsewhere. This doesn’t feel like a conventional hotel anymore, and potential guests should know that before booking.

My son studies at WVWC, and I love the Baxa. It’s clean, small, and so cute, with the best hotel bed I’ve ever slept in. I felt super safe traveling alone as a woman. There’s a cute little patio where I could work outside, and they went out of their way to find me an extension cord for charging.

We own property nearby and have been spending a few days at a time at the Baxa Inn while building a little family cabin. The price is great, and the rooms are always clean and smell wonderful. The staff are friendly and helpful, especially Wendy, who goes above and beyond. The location is right downtown and close to everything. I highly recommend staying here.