Best Western Carowinds

My vehicle was broken into and the rear window was smashed. When I told the desk, they asked, “What do you want me to do about it?” A little sympathy, or an offer to help with video once the police were involved, would have been better. The desk staff felt cold, and there was a language barrier when I needed something. The maids were good, though you’ll need to speak Spanish if you need help from them. Breakfast was horrible. I ate once and got sick within an hour. I gave it another chance, but the gravy, if that’s what it was, and the eggs were cold. When I said something, I was told to put them in the microwave. The rooms were dirty too, so don’t wear white socks. The TV kept losing its signal, and when I mentioned it, I just got a shrug, as if that’s how it is. It’s rough, and it’s no Marriott. Maybe you’ll get through a short stay, but even parking in front under the lights and locking your doors doesn’t make you safe. Don’t leave anything in your car. If you only need a bed and coffee for breakfast and are willing to pay premium prices, you’ll be fine.

The beds were okay and the shower was hot. The location is handy if you want to be near Carowinds, but budget for Cracker Barrel and compare the full cost with a hotel that serves a proper breakfast, like Drury or Embassy. This was the worst continental breakfast I’ve ever seen. The area was tiny, with six very small tables crammed between the cereal and “hot” food. The sausage patties and powdered eggs were cool to the touch. A group of six occupied three tables and both food stations for about 20 minutes, so I sat there sipping a delicious mix of water and apple juice. I didn’t need to mix it myself, the hotel staff had apparently already done that for me.

The night clerk at this Best Western got me a place to sleep when 15 other hotels had turned me away over arriving after midnight and before their 3 or 4 p.m. check-in window. I’d booked before leaving Ohio for Charlotte, N. C., and called the hotel within ten minutes of making the reservation to explain that my departure was delayed and I’d arrive around 1 or 2 a.m. I got there just after 1. The clerk first said he couldn’t check me in because of the hour, then declined my Chime card, saying the company didn’t accept those and it was all I had with me. After I called hotel after hotel, this night shift guy finally helped me out. He said the other places were being dumb and it made no sense. Thanks to him, I got about three hours of sleep before starting work at 6 the next morning.

I’m still waiting for the supposed $100 deposit hold to go back to my card. I’m not even sure a hold was placed. It looked to me like the room rate may simply have been raised instead. The stay itself was great, though. I chose a room with a Jacuzzi, slept well, and this was one of the best Best Westerns I’ve stayed at. The room didn’t disappoint, even with the usual Best Western comments in mind. The continental breakfast wasn’t great.