Knights Inn Boston/Danvers

The front desk clerk was helpful, and the location earned the two stars I’d give this place. The room and the rest of the motel were in very bad shape, though. It looked much older and more in need of repairs than the website photos suggested. Inside, it was dirty and smelled of cigarette smoke, especially from people smoking outside. I killed two roaches, one by the bed and another on the nightstand. After a long drive, we checked in, but my wife needed Wi-Fi for work and we quickly realized we couldn’t stay. I told the attendant the room wasn’t satisfactory and asked for a refund. He said only a manager could approve anything after inspecting it in the morning. He asked what we’d used, and I said the restroom and Wi-Fi. He also said the security deposit wouldn’t be returned, and told us to call the next morning about the rest. We left and found a nice room down the street. Knights Inn ended up charging only the $25 cancellation fee, which was a small price for the lesson.

There was just one bedbug, and the beds themselves looked clean. We know these things can happen with travelers, but we weren’t willing to take the chance. We’d booked online, and after checking in we did our usual precautionary check of the mattresses and nearby areas. Then we spotted a bedbug on the bathroom floor. We immediately packed everything back into the car. Management told us we’d get a full refund, and I have the recording. When we called the next day, they said it would only be half. The staff were rude on that call, so we’re starting a formal dispute through our bank.

My September stay at Knights Inn Boston–Danvers was poor: the non-smoking room was dirty and smelled strongly of cigarettes. My clothes kept smelling of smoke for the rest of my trip. I complained during and after the stay, but neither the hotel nor Sonesta Guest Relations resolved it or offered a refund. They closed my case without investigating and ignored my follow-ups. It’s now been more than two months without a resolution, so I’m raising this publicly. I’m seeking a full refund and will take further action if needed. The hotel disputed my account, saying someone had checked the room and found no cigarette smell. That isn’t true, and they haven’t provided any inspection logs. They ignored three formal complaints, then responded only after I said I’d reverse the credit card charge and posted this review on Google. I’m taking it up with my card company now. Their customer service has been as appalling as the hotel.

The TV and fridge worked, at least, but breakfast was worthless. One morning, while we ate leftovers, I had to kill a huge spider crawling across the head of our bed. The air conditioner was so loud it made sleeping difficult, and the bed was barely acceptable, with an old mattress on a metal frame that felt more suited to a dorm. It’s an old motel with little sign of any updates. Our bathroom door wouldn’t close, and there were splatters that I hoped were paint. The place is budget-friendly, so if all you need is somewhere cheap to sleep, it may do. For comfort, cleanliness, or breakfast, I’d keep looking.