Baymont Inn & Suites Columbus/Rickenbacker

It was an awful, stressful stay, and at $108 for a two-bed standard room plus a $50 deposit, it felt overpriced for a place that needs a lot of work. We checked out around 930, but by 12 pm I still hadn’t received the deposit. When I called, I was told housekeeping was still working. I told my husband I suspected they might keep people’s deposits, and so far that seems right. The beds were hard, the rooms looked nothing like the online pictures, and the cheap motel feel was clear. The window was literally taped together, drywall putty or something was all over the walls from what seemed like cheap hole patching, and there was dirt all up and down the stairs. The tub drain looked gross. Breakfast was awful even though it was “free” or “complementary,” so we went elsewhere to eat. The pool was supposedly open until 9, but it was about the size of a small pond. The water and pool room were cold, so we decided not to swim. The advertised free wifi wouldn’t let us in with our last name and room number. There were no rags in the room; when we asked, we were given two for five people. More arrived after my husband complained. Signs say there’s a $25 fee for eating in your room.

We were quoted $110 per night when we called, then charged $125 on arrival, which added to the frustration. Our first room had no running water because the tap was broken and smelled strongly of mold. The hallways reeked of smoke, and the elevator felt poorly maintained and unsafe. The second room was only a little better: the toilet seat was broken, the main light didn’t work, and the room felt neglected. On checkout morning, six staff members stood outside before we’d finished in the room. Soon after, they yelled through a window that we’d forgotten belongings, even though we’d clearly said we weren’t done. It felt unprofessional and poorly managed, and wasn’t worth the money.

The staff were nice, but that couldn’t make up for the problems, and we cut our trip from 2 nights to 1 because of the room. The lobby smelled unpleasant and the carpets looked worn and dirty. Cleanliness seemed lacking throughout. Our room smelled strongly, like a zoo, and had a visible wall crack. One lamp was missing both its bulb and shade, and the bedding didn’t feel clean, so a comfortable night’s rest was out of reach. With the Wyndham name attached, we expected better. This hotel doesn’t adequately represent the Wyndham name and brand, and didn’t meet basic cleanliness or comfort standards. I can’t recommend it.

Honestly, it wasn’t bad. I’m not sure they’ve updated everything, but my room was cleaner than most hotels, and there was a half decent breakfast and a pool.