Campbell Motel

The staff were reasonably accommodating, given how late I arrived and that I needed a plunger. I’d rate them like a solid tax office employee on a scale from one to Chick-fil-A. The bed itself was comfortable, but its metal box platform made a gong noise with the slightest movement. A train and busy road are only 75 yards from the window, and at $130 or more a night, the price feels steep for these issues. The hotel isn’t bad for its age, but the price doesn’t match the room quality. The rooms seem not to have been updated in a while, perhaps to preserve the hotel’s aesthetic. The bathroom is tight, has no ventilation, and its window is disabled, probably to stop people breaking it. The shower entrance is only about 18 inches wide, like the Hot Gates of Thermopylae.

There are busy train tracks across the street, with horns sounding at the crossings. The noise didn’t bother me much, but if you’re used to quiet suburbs, you may not like it. The trains don’t shake the building like in the movies, though. The windows vibrate, and that’s it. Bring your train-watching enthusiasts, they’ll love it. I stayed one night in a no-frills room that was clean and neat, with a fridge, microwave, and iron. It’s fine if all you need is somewhere to sleep, shower, and shave.

The beds were comfortable, but a loud train passes right beside the motel about every two hours and honks, so the night wasn’t that relaxing. The rooms were well kept, apart from a dead cockroach that made my Mom freak out, and the service was friendly. Unfortunately the wifi didn’t work at all. I had the password, but it said I was blocked.

My kind of place when my band is touring Florida. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell make you feel right at home, and the staff can arrange great tours of the area’s attractions. The rooms are large, with comfortable, clean king beds. My bathroom had a hot tub and an attached sauna room, and the minibar was well stocked with refreshments, all on the house. There’s a restaurant on site serving scrumptious hamburgers with a cold ale for under $2 during happy hour, every day from 4 to 7. They also have first-rate entertainment featuring local talent. The pool is clean and refreshing, with slides, and there’s a turtle pond next to the badminton court. Come hungry for breakfast: homemade waffles with fresh cream and their award-winning South Carolina ham, plus all the eggs you can eat. It’s included in the $37.50 per night motel price. No wonder it’s everyone’s favorite place to stay in town.