Cumberland Gap Inn

There was an old coffee pot in the room, but no cups, and no coffee in the office either. The sink had no stopper, the towels felt cheap, and there was nobody around to answer questions. The bed and pillows were uncomfortable, too. It has the basics, but the quality is poor throughout. A two-star motel, and I wouldn't stay again.

The location is beautiful, and the guy at reception was genuinely nice and helpful. We picked this place because the other options within 20 miles looked like rat motels, and only stayed one night. The room's cleanliness was the biggest problem: my daughter's white socks turned black on the hardwood floor, and the shower curtain was disgusting. The room also had a strange feel to it, with loud vehicles coming and going in the middle of the night. The locals were very rude. 1919 was the only welcoming place to eat; Angelo's was very unwelcoming.

For $100 a night, I expected better. The room is very outdated apart from the TV, and the beds are rock hard. I'd rather pay $125 for an updated room with soft beds and curtains that close properly than spend $100 here and sleep badly with a sore back. The streetlights came through all night because one curtain had come off its rod. The bathroom is tiny, and the tub enamel is cracked and peeling, which explains the slip mat. The floor clearly hadn't been mopped in ages. I walked around barefoot and my feet were filthy with brown dust or dirt. The only real advantage is being close to LMU. There are no restaurants or major stores nearby unless you drive 10 minutes to Middlesboro Ky. This place was decent in 2002, but it's gone downhill over the past 23 years.

I had trouble getting the water pressure high enough for a proper shower, and the temperature was a problem too. The room was dated but not too bad, though there was dog hair all over the sheets and towels, plus a paw print. It felt a little unsettling as a solo traveler, almost like I was being watched, and I struggled to fall asleep. Just after I finally dozed off, the shower suddenly blasted on for what felt like a full minute. I sat up screaming. It was terrifying, and especially strange after the water pressure trouble earlier. Maybe haunted? I suppose that's a hallmark of Appalachia. I stayed because I needed somewhere, and it's basically the closest hotel to the national park. The inn is visible from the highest point of Cumberland Gap. The front desk lady was rude, but the man who checked me out was friendly. It was a little overpriced, though not awful. Nearby, there's only a gas station. Some mini muffins or even drip coffee would be nice. If I return, I'll probably stay there again. There isn't much else in the area.