Wingate by Wyndham Erlanger / Florence / Cincinnati South

After my first great experience with Wyndham, I've been choosing its hotels more often as I travel around the USA. During the 2023 blizzard in Sturgis, SD, the interstate was literally closed, and thank God I had a hot breakfast every morning because no Uber Eats drivers were out. I'm a travel nurse and live in hotels most of the time, though occasionally I rent a room on Furnished Finder. Wingate by WYNDHAM has become my all-time favorite hotel chain. A clean, quiet, lovely, safe place to rest is a constant, and I've learned it's worth spending a few extra dollars for a hot breakfast and a safe place to sleep instead of choosing lower-rated hotels to save money. Thanks, WYNDHAM, for making my travels better. Follow me around the US for my fun, passionate, truly honest reviews and photos. Stay safe. Best, Karen.

The room was nice, the bed comfy, and the staff friendly and supportive. My only concern was the rate. I saw a $60 price on Priceline, but when I called to confirm it, the receptionist said it wouldn't work or would be canceled and talked me into paying more for the same room. It was a last-minute booking after 9 p.m. because of extenuating circumstances, so I went with it. Still, seeing one price and being charged another didn't feel right.

We used to love this hotel, but may look for another one now because there was nowhere to store our things. The rooms were stylish and clean, but had no drawers or shelves for clothes and personal items, so we had to leave them on the chairs and desks.

I accompanied a close friend for an overnight stay at Wingate, though she stayed most of the week. Her mobility was extremely limited: she's physically challenged, has chronic diabetes and other health issues, and had recently broken her leg in two places and injured her hip. I'd checked ahead because I thought the hotel would meet our needs, but we were put on the third floor, and I spent the visit running errands for both of us. The customer service and staff's social skills fell short. Most people I dealt with or saw were unfriendly, abrupt, or rude, with no neighborly warmth. One young man was kind, at least. We had been caught unprepared at dinner when I went to make chicken soup and realized I'd forgotten a can opener. My friend called the desk, and they had one for us to use. The sign said room service might be available, perhaps for a higher tier or VIP guests, but we weren't offered any. More than once, after we called for a new tissue box because ours had only one tissue left, we were told to come get it at the front desk. The only service we got was self-service. When I asked where the ice machine and laundry were, a man answered abruptly and rudely, “You can't do laundry now, it's too late.” I wasn't planning to do laundry at midnight, but that restriction should be clear in the advertising. Authenticity is rare, but you can tell when a business has it. There was also a broken lamp that had fallen apart and could hurt someone, plus pictures overlapping other pictures on the wall. It looked tacky. I wouldn't personally recommend Wingate.