Econo Lodge Calhoun North Damascus

For the price, it was just right for us. The place was clean and a little outdated, but that doesn't bother me unless something could be harmful to guests. We paid a small $20 fee to bring our dog. A kind family runs this hotel. I'd recommend it if you don't expect high standards or luxury.

Decent room, bed, and linens. No coffee maker in the room, but there was coffee in the lobby in the morning, with tiny honey buns and cold cereal. Good enough for a stop to shower, watch TV, and sleep.

I didn't feel safe there as a woman traveling alone. Construction workers around the pool were making comments and gestures about the women coming and going. Check-in was fine, but the room door stuck so badly I needed the clerk's help to get in. Once inside, the bed looked as if someone had been sitting on it. The walls were paper thin, and I could hear everything. Between the construction and the nearby highway, it was very noisy. I grabbed my things and started to leave. A floor mat had been moved outside the door, and underneath it was a room key. I was out more than $70 for the room.

I've been on the road more than 300 nights a year, and this Econo Lodge has been my place in the area for nearly two years. It keeps earning my repeat business because it's clean and quiet, with comfortable, well-kept rooms. The laundry is reliable, every room has a big updated TV, and the mini-fridges and microwaves have been upgraded recently. The owners are what really make it stand out. They're good people who care about guests and take pride in the property, and that shows. I stick with a place when it earns my loyalty, but I leave quickly if the standards slip. This one has continued to get things right on every stay. Check it out for yourself. Ciao, Tony.