Silver Lake Motel

We ended up canceling and finding a room at a larger chain hotel, where there were no issues. My husband had booked a room with a Jacuzzi about a month ahead through the motel's website. Around two weeks before the stay, he got a call saying that room wasn't available, so he agreed to take a different one. We arrived at 5:30, well after the 3 pm check-in time, but were told maintenance was still being done and the room might be ready in another 30-45 minutes. They offered to move us again to a room with two double beds and take $10 off. The two stars are for the understanding receptionist and the manager, who let us cancel and refunded us. I wouldn't recommend this motel if you need to be sure you'll get the room you reserved.

The housekeepers were friendly and helpful, and the desk man was nice face to face, though he had been quite short with me on the phone the day before we arrived. Our room was clean, the king bed and its three pillows were comfortable, the linens smelled fresh, and the good-sized flat TV worked well on the basic channels. We planned a couple of quiet days for our anniversary, but there are a number of things that need attention before we come back. We didn't have problems with a dirty room or odor like some guests mention, but the stay had other issues. We travel on a budget and have a special diet, so we bring our own food. When I called to confirm, I was told Jacuzzi rooms don't have a fridge or microwave. I pointed out the website's kitchenette listing, but was told that applied only to rooms without Jacuzzis. We packed our food in a large cooler and had to keep going out for ice. We also brought our George Foreman grill and cooked almost everything on it, so we were glad to know ahead of time and change our menu to grillable meat and vegetables. The Jacuzzi worked very well, but it was too small for two people. The carpet between it and the bathroom was damp. We got two small bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths, and had to use a bath towel as a shower mat. After using the tub, there was no way to avoid stepping onto the carpet. The next day we asked the housekeeper for extra towels and two bath mats so it wouldn't get wetter. On the second day, I had a scary experience with the tub. There's an open vent partway down one side, and water comes out quickly when the jets run. With the water running and jets on, I lowered my shoulders into the tub. The jet apparently pushed my long hair around into the other side of the vent, where it wrapped repeatedly around the center post. I only realized when I tried to sit up and found myself stuck underwater by my hair. The water was up to my face and still running full blast, so it could have become dangerous. My husband shut the water off before it covered my face, but untangling my hair from the post took quite a while. The website promises complimentary breakfast, but all they had was coffee from 6 to 10 a.m. There was no iron, ironing board, or hair dryer in the room. The guest room doors use key cards, but the laundry and ice room require a regular key from the front desk. That meant walking or driving across the street in the snow when we needed ice or laundry, which was inconvenient. The two ceiling vent fans didn't work despite trying every switch, so the room got quite foggy when the Jacuzzi was on. People were constantly smoking by a large ashtray outside the room next door, so we couldn't open our window a bit to clear the fog. Also, the sign beside the tub says not to use bubble bath or soap. It would've been helpful to know that before we arrived, so we wouldn't bring our favorite bubble bath.

The room was spacious and clean, and the in-room Jacuzzi tub was amazing. The front desk clerk was especially polite and courteous. We found the location confusing and not the best. The place was actually called Roadway Inn, not Silver Lake. There was some noise outside our room, though it may just have been the guests staying at the time.

I stayed for two weeks while looking for a house after moving back to coeur d'alene. It's not fancy, a little ghetto even, but the staff made up for the bad parts. Everyone was wonderful, from maintenance and the room service/maids to the front desk. The internet only works if you stand in the stairway.