Best Western Canal Winchester Inn - Columbus South East

We were there for a three week job, with three people sharing the room, and kept our belongings in our bags because the closet was tiny and had an ironing board in it. The room only had three to five duffel bags between us, which plainly wouldn't fit in that closet. We asked for proper cleaning because the sheets weren't changed, just the beds made, and the room still hadn't been cleaned. After that, Tammy accused us of cooking because the hallway smelled like food. We'd ordered takeout, and it was visible in the trash. She went through our luggage looking for seasoning, even though there were no pots in the room. We were told not to cook, agreed, and followed that instruction. We did cook only once earlier in the week, and stopped when staff said we couldn't. Later, she called again, yelling that we'd cooked. Nobody threatened her. She continued to claim we cooked based on a supposed smell on the same day we'd requested cleaning, but had no proof. She also yelled that our luggage was all over the room and had an attitude. I saw the reviews and felt they explained her behavior. I believe people of color should avoid staying here. Hiring people of color doesn't mean someone can't be racist.

I booked a week ahead, but Tammy at the front desk canceled our reservation while shouting that children weren't allowed. She wouldn't help my girlfriend and me or another Black couple, and was rude and belligerent while we tried to reason with her. When we asked for higher management, she refused to call anyone and demanded we leave, threatening us. I wouldn't recommend this place to Black people, gay people, or families with children. I found Tammy rude, racist, and homophobic.

My husband stayed at this motel for a few days, and every night he could see employees smoking weed just outside his window. The smell got into his room. Tammy then kept the security deposit because the room smelled like weed, even though employees had been smoking right beside the window. It feels like a scam: the deposit charge posted before he had even spent a night there. Tammy wasn't hospitable, and I don't recommend staying here.

The room looked clean, and we found plenty of family friendly food options nearby. Check-in around 6 or 6:30 was quick and the receptionist was kind. The key card took several tries to open the door, which was annoying, though it did oddly make the room feel more secure. Breakfast had eggs, sausage patties and gravy, danishes, yogurt, cereal, bread, juice, tea, coffee, and waffle makers. We spent much of the day at the clean pool, with plenty of towels and a temperature that felt good compared with the weather outside. The hotel was quiet throughout our stay. Then, after we went to bed, I woke up and spotted a bug on the bed's edge, so that ended our staycation. Without the bug, I'd have given five stars. The request not to smoke in rooms is reasonable, so just follow it. It's not a terrible hotel, but I probably won't return.