Motel 6 Charlotte, NC – Airport South

I paid for one room but was given a lower-grade one because the room I'd reserved had been handed to someone else. Nobody offered the lower price for the downgrade. There were holes in the walls, sections hanging off, and huge black spots and splotches on the sheets. This place is deplorable. It should be condemned, or at least handed over to the homeless camp across the road.

For $60 a night, it was good enough for me. The shower worked, the beds felt fairly modern and comfortable, and the check-in desk was better than those at other motels in this price range. It's a short ride from the city and only a few minutes' walk from a light rail stop that gets you there in under half an hour. There were unhoused people and possible prostitutes outside, but they kept to themselves. The room stayed fairly quiet, with working AC and heavy blinds to block outside noise. I did see a few small cockroaches during my stay, though reviews suggest other hotels nearby may have them too. I'm not giving it five stars, but one wouldn't be fair either. Good enough.

At this low price, it served as a basic place to sleep while sightseeing. There are several restaurants and convenience stores within walking distance, and the light rail is about a 10-minute walk away. My room was clean and the appliances worked, although the walls need paint and the bathroom door frame needs fixing. The staff were very helpful. People do hang out across the street, but the hotel is beside a busy road where plenty of people were safely eating or getting gas. It's worth considering for the convenience if you can handle a run-down property and have street sense. I found it hard to decide how to rate the place fairly.

The room had no smoke detector, and there wasn't even a number on its door. Right outside were blunt wrapper containers and needles. People were using drugs openly in the parking lot, sleeping in the stairwells, and bothering guests walking between their cars and rooms. The place is old, filthy, and falling apart. I'm shocked Priceline lists it. Do yourself a favor and don't book this dirty dump. Pay a little more somewhere else.